‘Shark Tank’ Goes Live! The Sharks Tease What to Expect From Season 14 Premiere
Premiere
Shark Tank, the reality competition series that gives entrepreneurs the chance to find financing from five savvy business people, returns tonight for its Season 14 premiere.
Shark Tank will be doing a live episode for the first time ever. So the Sharks – Mark Cuban (owner, Dallas Mavericks), Barbara Corcoran (real estate mogul), Lori Greiner (inventor, Queen of QVC), Robert Herjavec (technology innovator), Daymond John (fashion and branding expert), and Kevin O’Leary (venture capitalist) AKA “Mr. Wonderful” — who are used to having much more time will have to cut to the chase with prospective partners.
Producers are adding a live element to tonight’s episode — folks at home will be able to weigh in on whether or not the Sharks should take the plunge and make a deal. TV Insider chatted with all five Sharks to get their thoughts on the live episode, how the pandemic has changed the business world, upcoming guest Shark Gwyneth Paltrow (Iron Man; Glee), and more. Here’s what they had to say.
On the episode’s live studio audience
Lori Greiner: “I will be fascinated by what they have to say. As always with market research, the consumer speaks. However, I have to make a wise decision for me and use my gut.”
Mark Cuban: “This is a good question. I think [the producers] are just trying to kill time and create transitions and segues. This will be something to roll our eyes over? [Seriously,] the producers are smart. They’ve worked hard on this. They’ll find a way to make it work.”
Robert Herjavec: “I’m excited for the audience to see the story develop from beginning to end. I’m excited to see sheer chaos and pandemonium in a positive way. With a live audience, I think the show will be off the charts.”
Kevin O’Leary: “I’m very interested in the opinions [of the audience]. It’s a way of using social media that we haven’t in the past. [But] I’m a pragmatic guy. I look at sales.”
Daymond John: “I don’t think the audience is going to weigh in on if they would buy [a product].“
Barbara Corcoran: “They’ll give their opinion whether or not they like it.”
On what goes into wanting to partner with a Shark Tank contestant
Greiner: “It depends on what their story is. If their story tells me that they’re a wonderful human being and they’re someone I want to work with, I’ll be influenced. It has to be a great project. You have to determine how they’ll be as a business partner.”
Cuban: “The biggest thing I ask is, ‘What’s your differentiation?’ I’ll ask, ‘What makes you different?’ I ask myself, ‘Wow, why didn’t I think of this?’
ABC/Christopher Willard
On how the pandemic affected business, workers, and entrepreneurs
Corcoran: “It made entrepreneurs more tough. People who have come through the pandemic have had a trial by fire. We know they’re survivors.”
John: “People are realizing now they need to be directly connected to the consumer for success. Don’t depend on a retailor.”
Greiner: “People need us more. A lot of people look to our advice more. The pandemic made people think that they didn’t want to do their 9 to 5 job anymore. It made them think they wanted to take their own jobs and careers into their own hands. Our show has shown people how they can pivot, change their lives, and their careers.”
Cuban: “It’s made life difficult for so many people. I think of the ungodly number of people we lost to this disease. It separated us as a country. I thought it would bring us together, and it didn’t. It separated us. That’s created challenges we haven’t overcome. In terms of business, the pandemic interrupted supply chains, people going to stores and to ‘Mom and Pop’ businesses where we went in to get our coffee or water or granola each morning. On the flip side, you saw many different types of businesses explode.”
Herjavec: “We tell people that if they survived the pandemic, they should get a big pat on the back. We’re seeing now that any business that isn’t profitable is really struggling. People could get loans back in 2009 but now, those same people may not get an investment if they’re not successful. That’s why Shark Tank is so great – people can get an investment. We can cut a ‘sharkier’ deal. People may need us more than they did a few years ago.”
O’Leary: “I’ve always felt that Shark Tank was two years head of the market. You see very early ideas that people are dreaming up. Now. they’ve been forced to live in their houses all day long. As a result, we’ve seen a lot of new ideas, mission-based statements, and businesses with a strong direct-to-consumer model. They built this all up during the pandemic.”
On working with guest Shark Gwyneth Paltrow
Cuban: “She’s so smart. She wasn’t a guest ‘Shark’ who wanted to come on and just be loud. Gwen is super-duper smart. It’s one thing to be book smart. It was easy to see why Goop [Paltrow’s wellness and lifestyle brand and company] is so successful. She said things that I learned from, and that made me think. That’s unusual for me.”
Herjavec: “I worked with Gwyneth a little bit. All the guest Sharks bring something new and exciting and different to the show.”
O’Leary: “She’s terrific. She runs a company, and she brought that experience to the show. We competed on some deals, and I respected all of her decisions. She’s a marketing maven genius – no question.”
On which Sharks who haven’t done Dancing With the Stars will join a future cast
Greiner: “I don’t know. I danced for years, but I’ve had two different toe surgeries. Maybe. Maybe not? I don’t know if I’d survive it.”
Cuban: (Laughs) “None of them should do it. Kevin can’t dance. Daymond can… I will say I loved doing it. Kym [Johnson Herjavec, Robert’s wife] is a great partner. I never lacked for confidence but doing the show gave me even greater confidence. It was stressful. When I was on it, we had two nights of live TV. It taught me if I set my mind on something, I could do it.”
John: “I wanted to do it its first few years. My daughter started watching Dancing With the Stars, and she became a champion ballroom dancer. I practice with her once in a while. It’s very difficult.”
Herjavec: “I have to preface my answer by saying one of the Sharks – Barbara – never should have done the show.”
Corcoran: “Robert’s right. I would heartily agree with him. I want to put that memory behind me!”
ABC/Christopher Willard
On whether one Shark being interested in a product will change another Shark’s opinion
Greiner: “I’m very independent. I make my decisions in my own right. I know if I see a ‘hero’ or a ‘zero.’ If I see my fellow Sharks are interested in something that I don’t believe in, it’s not going to change my mind.”
Cuban: “Sometimes, yeah.”
Herjavec: “We have a sports product coming onto the show that involves basketball. Mark didn’t like it. That made me step back and say, ‘Well if a guy who owns a basketball team doesn’t like it….’
O’Leary: “It does [change my opinion]. When I realize that we’re bidding up the price, I’ll ask, what are we doing here? I’ll go to Mark, for example, and say, ‘Let’s go in this together.’ We’ll split the equity 50/50 and drive the price down. If I have to split the deal to keep it reasonable and sane, I will. This season, we have a deal where everyone – all five sharks – [loved] the product. It’s smoking hot! We agreed to work on this together. That never happens. When you see the product, it’s going to sell millions of dollars the night it airs. I’ve never seen a product so simple, so smart, so perfect for Shark Tank. It’ll be a huge hit.”
Shark Tank, Live Season 14 Premiere, Friday, September 23, 8/7c, ABC
Conversation53 Comments
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Comments are closed on this story.
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O
We don’t like the new format or the live audience… a real turn off and too staged.
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R
Are you kidding me? This is a complete joke, a total insult to the intelligence of loyal fans of what was already a great show just as it was. I watched this show because of the opinions of skilled talented professionals, not a bunch of yahoos screaming out approval about every single trivial detail mentioned by the contestants. Any intregrity this show wishes to salvage would require the producers to do a live broadcast of them apologizing to the millions of loyal viewers who have watched and sincerely enjoyed this show for so many years.
It’s an absolute nightmare, just horrible.
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P
totally agree, its a disaster
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O
I hate it. I have watch Shark Tank for years and couldn’t wait for the new session to start. I wanted to turn off the TV with 5 minutes because of the loud noise. You couldn’t hear the individual shark because they were talking over each other and the audience screaming. End this experiment.
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B
Terrible idea! Have watched for many years - this may be the last if this continues
13
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O
If this format stays, I will no longer watch. Very staged. As the old saying goes if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” This is no longer The Shark Tank that I know and love. 100% FAIL!!!
12
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O
Awful. Will stop watching if this becomes the norm. Too cheesy. Ruins the show
12
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R
Horrendous! Everyone is shouting. The live audience is a distraction. I hope this is a one and done experiment.
11
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G
I hate the live show. Way too much confusion and noise. Won’t watch as often.
11
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O
Terrible, it’s obvious rating are slipping but a live audience is a terrible idea but worse yet is voting. The Sharks should have protested this idea but they’re obviously getting paid. I’m shutting this crap off! When Fonzie jumped the shark I thought that was bad but this takes the cake!!! Oh good Gomer Pyle is on in a few mins.
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G
The show has now gone Hollywood silly. We'll give it a two show trial.
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P
Awful live audience and live vote. It is a game show and all sharks are now "on" with the live audience in fake cheer or boo. Yuck. Hope this is a huge fail. I hate and wl no longer watch after 13 seasons.
10
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G
I will no longer be watching Shark Tank! This us now abput on theatrical show! I'm Out!
10
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G
Do not like the new format with live audience AT ALL!!
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P
New format is AWFUL. I dislike the audience woohoo cheer whatever and HATE sharks asking "ooo what do you think of". Slows the process and degrades the entire process. Game show... No thanks. I will be tuning out. I am sad.
10
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P
I hate that they are doing live, and taking stupid text questions on the products, they have lost me as someone who has watched this for 13 years, this change was a very stupid idea, so long shark tank, your ratings will be going down.
10
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O
Ugh! Not a fan. It's too staged. Just awful.
10
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O
Live show format is not good. Too noisey too much talking at the same time and the sharks are not themselves. I will not be watching if this format continues and I’ve watched from the beginning.
9
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G
Much too loud . Do not enjoy. Will stop watching if it continues.
9
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B
I have watched shark tank since it began. I considered it the best show on television. Now the investors have become loud, show offs. Go back to what worked for 13 years. Please…
9
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P
I don't like it at all. Too chaotic and "game show" like.
9
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R
Watched the first show and didn’t like it. The audience makes it more like a game show. It was far more professional when it was just the sharks.
9
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P
Live Shark tank is horrible I am not going to continue to watch it anymore I really liked your show too it is the worst show now ever
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R
Please tell me this misbegotten idea is a one and done for the season!
8
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R
Silly American Idol idea.
Diminishes both the Sharks and the
business people making the pitch.
Too much freewheeling, silliness
8
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P
You'll notice that there isn't a SINGLE positive review of this 'live audience' format. Producers, are you listening and reading. This better be a 'one and done' idea or Shark Tank's ratings will truly TANK.
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G
I watched tonight but didn’t like it at all. Too much noise from the audience clapping and yelling. Voices on TV are hard to hear nowadays without the added noise. It seemed like everyone was talking at the same time.
The survey is ridiculous.
5
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G
Horrible. This was my favorite show and I have watched faithfully every season, every episode. I have even purchased many items showcased on the show. This live show was my last. Bring back the old format and I will return, otherwise it's been nice knowing you.
5
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O
Really, really bad idea. If you brought this concept onto Shark Tank, not a single shark would offer anything for it.
Please, “Stop the madness!!”
5
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G
Horrible new format! So theatrical, loud and annoying! I'm OUT!
5
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O
Absolutely HATE this format with a live audience. This was a high class program but with a live audience seems like a cheap Hollywood production. Noisy and annoying. We turned it off....... couldn't stand the noise, the yelling and the chaos. This was a show we never missed in the past but will never watch again in this format. PLEASE ditch the live audience. Why ruin something that works?
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B
Please viewers post your comments and get back the show we enjoyed. Very tacky!!!!!
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B
Terrible
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G
OMG everyone talking at once makes me crazy. I can’t even hear what anyone is saying. Didn’t know what kind of deal the people got, couldn’t hear it. I only knew who got the deal because they stood up. Can’t watch the chaos too crazy.
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P
Sound is bad, Chaos, Did not care for it at all. Go back to the old way.
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P
they destroyed Shark Tank with this pathetic idea!!
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C
Studio audience/live is terrible. Has totally changed the dynamic. Made the audio and sound so much different. I have watched shark tank for 13 years and I may not be watch anymore. It’s awful.
1
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P
totally agree, they ruined the show with this lame idea!
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O
The audience version of Shark Tank (season 14, episode 1) was terrible. The show went from business to show business. Too much playing to the audience which is the focus of the stars not the entrepreneurs. Few tough questions. Too much like a game show. Booo!
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C
Now the show sucks !!!! Nothing professional about it ! I won’t waste my time watching the show. The show is going south . Good luck .
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G
Will never watch shark Let’s Make a Deal again! Being an entrepreneur ourselves you just ruined our experience!
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G
Crush this new format for the cockroach it is!
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B
Hate, hate this change! The investors are playing up to the camera. It’s a horrible direction to take this show
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G
The new format SUCKS! Fire the game show guy and get back to the a mature, intelligent format.
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B
Ill "NEVER" Watch Again unless its goes back to the original format--
Made all the supposedly intelligent professional people look like CLOWNS !!!
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B
Hate it. Been watching from the beginning. If this format continues, I’m through.
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B
Happy to read the negatives Postings, maybe we can get the original shark tank back.
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C
There isn't a single comment in favor of this new format. Producers, take note!
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C
Looks like 100% of the comments agree--the live format with the audience is awful. It feels like a bad infomercial. The sharks in many cases were manic. It was a dreadful idea to change to this format. Used to love the show the old way--been watching it since the beginning and I loved it before. If you change it to this new way, I'll be leaving!
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P
The new live format is horrible. I wanted to turn it off after 5 minutes. What was an interesting show has turned into a low rate game show. Barbara
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P
Not a good idea. Over talked each other, audience applause annoying and rushed. Please make this a one and done.
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P
Loved this show watched since it first started the new format takes away all interest and won’t watch this anymore take it back to original show
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R
Why is this not available in 1080p?