Shark Tank's Barbara Corcoran on millennials
Barbara Corcoran, one of the 'Sharks' on ABC's hit TV show, 'Shark Tank' spoke about how she went from straight D's to a successful business entrepreneur
“Shark Tank” could soon feature live pitches, audience interaction and kid investors.
The hit business-reality show kicked off its eight season Friday night and has just eclipsed $100 million in investments made by “sharks” Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, Kevin O’Leary, Robert Herjavec and Daymond John.
But despite its success — and five million weekly primetime viewers — both ABC and producers are considering several experimental tweaks to ensure the format remains fresh going forward.
“Mark (Cuban) has said on the show that you need to wake up every day like there is somebody else out there that is working hard to kick your ass,” show runner Clay Newbill tells FOX411. “Every producer is always a bit paranoid about that.”
Newbill says there have been ongoing talks about airing the show live or taping episodes in front of a studio audience.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if something like that happens in the future because it is something that we internally at ‘Shark Tank,’ along with Sony and ABC, have discussed,” he says.
Also being considered, Newbill confirms, are methods to allow viewers at home to predict the outcomes of pitches in real time via social media.
In 2014, the network developed proprietary technology that allowed viewers to vote in real time during live episodes of the short-lived singing competition, “Rising Star.”
While there is concern that following a conversation on platforms like Twitter could cause a viewer to miss important elements of the “Shark Tank” negotiations, “I think eventually, it is something we will do,” Newbill says.
“You could watch the progression of those deals and as it unfolds, see the percentages (in favor of success) change as the pitch is happening.”
The entire eighth season concluded taping last Thursday, so any major changes wont be seen for at least a full year.
“Shark Tank” allows inventors and entrepreneurs of all ages to seek funding for their businesses and ideas from a panel or successful venture capitalists.
Last season the program dedicated an entire hour-long episode to pitches from kids and teens.
Newbill hopes to eventually find a mini business mogul — or someone who started a successful business as a youth — to join the panel as a guest shark for episodes involving young entrepreneurs.
“Then they could be more critical,” he says. “The episode we did with the kids was fantastic. We love doing it. I was very proud. I think that you will see it again.”
ABC declined to comment regarding possible changes for the show.
“Shark Tank” airs Friday nights on ABC.
Trending
