Q: Just to get off topic a little here, I get a lot of questions from people who have ideas for new game shows. If someone came to you in this situation, what advice would you give them?
Stevens: Well first, if they're any good, send them to me! (laughs) You know what you're talking about, and you know the industry, so you can filter them out and we'll get working on them!
In all seriousness though, it's really tough to sell an original idea. When I first started out, I had this great idea for a court show, like Judge Judy, but instead of one judge, it would be made up of a jury of peers. So if there was a stripper taking the stand, the jury would be made up of three strippers and three cops. Something like that. Anyway, I pitched it to a few people and the general response was "I don't know you. Why should I give you any money?"
I guess my best advice would be to try and get a job in the industry, even if you have to start by answering phones for a TV show. Get some work experience on a practical level. You'll end up meeting people and making connections.
Also, you can't pitch without representation. Blind pitches don't work, because you're opening the person you're pitching to up to lawsuits. If you pitch me a show and I'm already working on something similar, you could come back and say I stole the idea. So find representation. Get an agent.
Q: Finally, do you happen to know what's going on with the money Kathy Cox won? (Note: Cox won a million dollars on the prime time version of the show, and declared that she would be donating the money to three special needs schools in Georgia, where she works as the superintendent of schools. She and her husband declared personal bankruptcy shortly thereafter, and the money has been tied up in courts ever since, with Cox's creditors claiming that they should have access to it to pay off her debts.)
Stevens: I don't know a lot about new developments with that situation. The lawyers are figuring it all out now, so the money is still sitting in escrow. Hopefully that will be resolved soon, and I'd prefer it goes to charity.
Carrie: Thanks John, I appreciate your time today! Looking forward to the new season and all the changes that have been made.
John Stevens: Thanks - I hope you enjoy it!
You can catch the new syndicated Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? starting September 21st. Check local listing for times and channels, or catch it weeknights on CMT. 5th Grader will also air two, half-hour episodes back to back every Tuesday night on MyNetwork TV, at 8pm Eastern.
