americaninventor

Is that what the guy on American Inventor said last night, that he put so much passion and energy into his invention (a portable coffee cup/grinder thing) that he sold his kidney? Or donated his kidney? And that he had to do it because it was "karma?" I'm not quite sure exactly how/why he did it (except that he wanted to be a hero to his son), but I think this is something none of us should do. Don't sell your kidneys for karma.

Also: don't sell your feet for food, don't sell your hands for a house, and don't sell your penis for a Porsche.

(S01E04) Finally, the last open casting-call episode. It's a good thing, because honestly, I'm starting to lose interest. The show had really better pick up the pace and quality of content, or else the next post I'm presenting to you will be the finale.

This week the judges visit Denver and New York again, among other places. The number of accepted inventions seems to have dropped a bit this time, though a few of them that did pass are questionable.

This week it looks like we were treated to scenes from Washington DC, San Francisco and, again. New York. This was the second to last open casting calls episode before everyone who's been given the green light comes back to present again. Out of those, 12 will be chosen to receive $50,000 to further develop their inventions and move on to the finals.

Some of the winners (and a couple of losers) after the jump.

This week we visit Chicago, L.A. and Atlanta. It sounds like the next round is actually going to be yet another pitch round, where the people who were allowed to "move on" will have to pitch their idea once again. It also sounds like it's not airing again for a while, judging by the previews at the end of the show.

As for the judges, I'm really not liking the woman judge. She just wants her own way too much, and really whines when something doesn't go her way. Those guys on the panel must really get a headache at the end of the day.

Oh, and the bald judge? He should start telling people he doesn't like that their idea is "Inconceivable!" Princess Bride fans will know where I'm coming from.

Tonight was the premiere of Simon Cowell's newest invention, American Invention, and so far I'm liking the possibilities. I like the judges and I like their reasoning. The one question I have is, why are we seeing British judges on these "American" shows? Must be a buddy of Simon's.

Tonight's open casting calls includes New York and Los Angeles, where things got off to a pretty bleak start, complete with a public peeing tent and a "space beetle utopia" (i.e., a blastic bubble with a bunch of roaches running around in it.)

There were a few gems, and even some inspiring stories to accompany them. Here's what we saw make it tonight: