Each week we receive a lot of concepts for TV shows (please don't send more). Some of the ideas are alright. Most of them are interesting for one segment maybe a half-hour and that's it. Some of the ideas are so bad they ruin my week (LOL!). Most of the time when we get a suggestion for a show I will have to send a letter saying that it is not for us at this time....yadda yadda yadda. I am getting really good at this. So good, I may have missed some good ideas along the way just because I am getting smooth at saying, "No." Just ask my kids. It is my favorite word according to them.
Just when I thought I would never have to say, "Yes" again, along came Carlo Parentela. He is a successful businessman who owns an impressive Conference and Event facility in Toronto called, LeJardin. It is incredibly popular for weddings. The place is stunning.
Carlo had an idea. It took much convincing from RedFish Producer, Rob Pagetto to even listen to the concept. I was in the hills of Tuscany when Rob called and wanted to talk about the concept. I was on holiday and did not remotely care. He made me listen. I did. Wow! What an idea! What a great idea!
Sure enough four days later, back in Toronto, Rob introduced me to Carlo, who had an idea for a TV reality series called Last Bride Standing. Within minutes together, I could see that nothing was going to get in Carlo's way. He knew he had an unbeatable idea and he was going to do it, dammit.
Although Carlo has had no formal training in TV or broadcast business, over the next two months he worked tirelessly to get a handle on how we deal with broadcasters, the creative process and even editing. While the show was an unbelievable amount of work and is still in post production today, Carlo quickly adapted his business acumen to his new passion, Last Bride Standing. The results have been amazing. Tonight the first episode airs on SUNTV (Rogers 15) across Ontario and into various parts of Canada. Even before the show has aired in it's home town there is interest in creating localized versions of the show in markets all around the world. Even in Toronto, before the show aired once, SUN-TV has decided to build a massive $300,000 local promotion for the show - even giving away a wedding to viewers who tune in.
Not bad for your first show, Carlo. International appeal, promotional appeal and now a desire from the broadcaster that we make more as soon as possible.
Directed by Howard Glassman (Humble Howard) and being post-produced by Angela Schermaul (sought after as one of the nation's most creative directors of post production), the show is the original concept of Parentela. Truth is, it is the oldest contest on the books. Last one touching the prize wins it. But his vision for how this becomes a reality show really was a sharp assumption. Howard, Carlo and myself spent hours pouring over how the show would work, but the "concept" was never touched. The seed that was Carlo's idea remains the basis for the show.
Tonight you will meet Carlo Parentela on TV for the first time. He is larger than life. He is a character. He is savvy....and he is now a TV PRODUCER. Congratulations, Carlo let's set those PVRs for tonight at 6:30 on SUNTV for Last Bride Standing. Even better, tune in live.
Visit www.lastbridestanding.com for more information about the show or how you can get involved as a contestant.
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