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June 16, 2008

You Could Be The Next Mark Burnett! (Kill Yourself!)

thumbnail icon: You Could Be The Next Mark Burnett! (Kill Yourself!)

In the event that you thought reality TV shows were starting to cannibalize themselves too quickly and that Hollywood had run out of ideas, Dutch producer John De Mol would like to enter into a business relationship with you to make your dreams (Fart Mansion, Stop That Woman) a reality (show). From USA Today:

De Mol, co-founder of the international media giant Endemol (Deal or No Deal, Big Brother, Fear Factor), says anyone can have a great idea for a reality show, and he's starting a website,TalpaCreative.com, to solicit concepts.

"Everybody watches TV. Everybody has an idea about TV. A doorman or waitress can have a good idea," he says. "We're looking for the next big thing."

Did you hear that doormen and waitresses? No more cowering in the shadows, being told by everyone that you couldn't possibly have a good idea. De Mol sees the diamond in your very rough, often polyester uniform. I don't know if you realized this but anyone, whether they are a dog catcher, neurosurgeon, personal trainer, interior decorator who works largely with local artisans and loves animal print, industrial baker, wig salesman, or a regional manager of a Circuit City can have an idea. Just about anyone, even a nursing school student, fishmonger, senior vice president of marketing for a major airline, prize-winning bull breeder, ammunitions designer, or clown suit tailor can have an idea for television. You just never know.

The operation of the website is simple:

People can participate by submitting ideas or responding to focused creativity assignments. Talpa plans to buy the rights to concepts with promise and develop them. The originator, who can be involved in development, will be paid greater amounts depending on how far the project goes. People will be compensated fairly, de Mol says.

Any series generated by website proposals would first run in the Netherlands with successes considered for international distribution by Talpa and Endemol.

Producers generally avoid ideas from the public out of fear of being sued over ownership rights. People submitting ideas to Talpa will have to gain membership to the website, explaining why they want to join and agreeing to rules and restrictions regarding ownership and compensation. (There is no fee to join.) De Mol says he wants members to be active, committed and willing to contribute as a project proceeds.

"It's not for gold diggers," he says.

Haha. SORRY GOLD DIGGERS. Not this time. Your days of marrying hit TV shows for money are over.

Anyway, this looks like a great deal. All you have to do is give some guy in the Netherlands your idea, he'll turn it into a show, and then he'll tell you how to get your half of his family fortune. You see, his dad used to be the king of the Netherlands, but then there was terrible accident please help. He just need your name, address, social security number, and reality TV show concept, and then he will send you passwords for 5 million Euros that are arriving to States by boat thankyou dear.

Posted by Gabe at 11:04 AM in
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2 Comments

Go to my Web Site for My Fantasy Racer at www.myfantasyracer.com and view my copyrighted and registered concept merging Motor Sports with Reality TV in a Game Show Atmosphere. IF YOU ARE AN AGENT - I NEED YOU. I am currently negotiating with a Driving School / Producer for this program and my Screenplay Writing Experience isn't helping in this new genre. IF NEED HELP SO I DON'T GET SCREWED. Should be easy money for an expereinced broker - I've got the Big Fish on the Line. Help me reel them in and close this deal. Also see www.TerryDHilmerGroup.com Thanks!

Posted by: Terry Hilmer at 06/17/08 10:20 PM | Reply
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That list is very, very funny. Like, I had to leave my desk for a few minutes just now funny.

Posted by: Punky Brewster at 06/19/08 4:14 PM | Reply
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