I guess success breeds copycats.  On March 18, 2006, Reality TV Magazine said . . .

The critics might have hated American Inventor, but the show racked up impressive ratings.  Critics lambasted that show for being cruel and for humiliating many of the inventors.  Evidently the critics forgot that's the same criticism often labeled at the number one show on television: American Idol.  

The "cruelty", with at least one of the judges, continues even after the show is taking a break.  USA Today  quotes Doug Hall's less-than-flattering comments.

Hall plans to return as a judge on the coming season of American Inventor, which appeals to his lighter side. "It's a P.T. Barnum side show," he says. "But I think it did inspire people."

Who's the copycat?  Everyday Edisons.

After a successful first season of Everyday Edisons (which will begin airing nation-wide on PBS this September) we're setting our sights on season two.

I'm not sure when season two of American Inventor starts up, but if you can't wait Everyday Edison will be in Indianapolis July 15, 2006 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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