What Really Goes On Behind the Scenes of Shark Tank?
Let’s face it—getting a deal on Shark Tank is no walk in the park. Recently, the show's cast and production team opened up about what really happens behind the scenes. And guess what? It’s not all glitz and glamour. Some of the rules and procedures might leave you scratching your head. So, buckle up because we’re about to take you on a behind-the-scenes journey of one of America’s favorite reality shows!
The Casting Process: A Marathon, Not a Sprint
Shark Tank’s magic starts way before the cameras roll. Like many great reality shows, the heart of the series lies in its rigorous casting process. It’s not just about finding the next big idea—it’s about finding the right people who can captivate an audience and stand their ground against some of the toughest investors on the planet.
Numbers Don’t Lie: The Stats Are Staggering
Here’s a mind-blowing fact: for the latest season, a whopping 14,000 people applied, and out of that, only around 130 made it to the filming stage. Executive producer Clay Newbill shared this with People magazine ahead of the season 15 premiere. “We overshoot because not all pitches are strong enough to make the final cut. At the end of the day, we’re producing a television show. It needs to be entertaining from a creative perspective,” Clay said.
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DIY Pitches: Entrepreneurs, It’s Your Show
Once you’re lucky enough to get an invite onto the show, it’s all on you. Entrepreneurs are expected to bring their own props and write their own pitches. This isn’t just about showing up; it’s about making an impact. “The average pitch is probably about 40 minutes long, and we edit that down to between seven to 12 minutes for what actually airs,” Clay revealed. So, you’ve got to pack a punch in those precious moments!
One Shot, That's All
Entrepreneurs only get one chance to wow the sharks. The only time pitches are stopped or redone is if there’s a technical glitch, like microphone issues. This means you’ve got to come prepared, confident, and ready to sell your heart out. There’s no room for second chances or do-overs.
Social Media Silence: A Strict No-No
Another interesting rule is that contestants are not allowed to pitch to the sharks on social media before coming on the show. This ensures that the investors enter the tank with no prior knowledge of the ideas they’re about to encounter. It keeps things fresh and exciting. As businessman Kevin O’Leary put it, “I have no idea what’s going to come through that door. And just when I thought I’ve seen everything, the door opens and I see something that makes me think, ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’”
What Happens After the Deal?
One of the burning questions viewers often have is what happens to contestants after they make a deal on the show. Kevin O’Leary, 69, shed some light on this. “People are the most optimistic when the lights are shining on them,” Kevin added. “We go to work, and we check out what they said and do a lot of digging, which is what happens in the real world also… We’re looking for things that maybe weren’t correct in the presentation; particularly if they give hockey stick projections on sales, we’re going to go check that out.”
Updates: Not Mandatory, But Welcome
Over the past few seasons, Shark Tank has featured follow-up segments where entrepreneurs update viewers on how their businesses are doing. While these segments are fan favorites, they’re not mandatory for those who secure deals on the show. “Obviously, we can’t force them to share updates,” Clay explained. “But generally, it’s the sharks and the businesses that will reach out to us and let us know, ‘We’ve had some great success and would like to be considered for an update.’”
