Dragons' Den
Contents |
Host
Evan Davis
Co-hosts
The Dragons:
Duncan Bannatyne and Peter Jones (series 1-5), Simon Woodroffe (series 1), Rachel Elnaugh (series 1 & 2), Doug Richard (series 1 & 2), Theo Paphitis (series 2-5), Richard Farleigh (series 3-4), Deborah Meaden (series 3-5), James Caan (series 5).
Broadcast
BBC Manchester / Sony Pictures International for BBC2, 4 January 2005 to present
Synopsis
In this ever-changing world in which we live in, it's sometimes hard to know whether a programme is a game show or not. But when the presenter gives interviews in which he says (and I quote), "It isn't a game show", then that's a dead giveaway. (If the BBC claimed that the Shipping Forecast wasn't a game show, we probably wouldn't believe them. Good job it's not on telly.)
Anyway, before this launched we described it as "a cross between Best Inventions and The E-millionaire Show", and now that we've actually seen it, that description pretty much stands. The format is simplicity itself: five venture capitalists (the "dragons" of the title) are placed in a room, would-be entrepreneurs pitch their ideas, and if the dragons are impressed, they may make an investment. Or not. That's pretty much all there is to it, but it works.
The one stipulation the producers make is that each entrepreneur must ask for a specific sum of money from the dragons, and must get at least that amount, or no investment can be made. Exactly what is being offered in return for this money, however, (usually a percentage stake in the budding company,) is open to negotiations; and if no single dragon is willing to part with the entire requested sum, they can split the deal between them. Amusingly, the dragons sit with large stacks of cash on the tables between them as the pitches are being made - although it's strictly a prop, and no cash is seen to be handed over (after all, the dragons don't have the luxury of commercial breaks in which to count out the cash).
It's a straightforward idea, executed without frills, interesting to watch and it may well change a few people's lives. Can't say fairer than that, and I'm afraid the stigma of being a g*** s*** is just something they'll have to live with.
Theme music
Original theme credited to John Watt. Variations used during the programme arranged by Mike Westergaard.
Inventor
Based on the Japanese format Money no Tora ("Money Tiger").
