"Shark Tank" Reigns #1 With Adults 18-49 As Entrepreneurs Receive $650k In Investment Offers During Last Friday's Episode

CULVER CITY, Calif., May 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Last Friday's episode of Sony Pictures Television's hit ABC reality series, SHARK TANK, emerged as the #1 show among Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54, and hit new Friday night highs among Men 18-49 and Men 25-54. The Sharks engaged in a series of tough negotiations with entrepreneurs, making investment offers totaling $650,000 -- bringing the season-to-date total of investment offers from the Sharks to over $2.5 million.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080424/LATH509LOGO)

After a heated battle between real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran and fashion and branding expert Daymond John, Queenie Davis and Andrew Goodrum from Rochester, NY, received an offer from Corcoran for $100,000 in exchange for 55% of her innovative shoe accessory, Boot Illusion. The add-on can turn any shoe into a boot.  Corcoran then partnered with billionaire Mark Cuban to offer Fleetwood Hicks from Dallas, TX, $500,000 in exchange for 42% of his business, Villy Customs. The bike is designed on an interactive website making each one distinctly individual. Additionally, James Pittman from Buena Park, CA, turned down Corcoran's offer to invest $250,000 in exchange for 50% of Airbedz, his custom made air mattress that fits in the back of a pickup truck.

Also, in a follow-up story, Shelly Ehler from Ladera Ranch, CA, was interviewed about the success of her ShowNo towels. The unique towel design provides coverage when changing out of a swimsuit in public places. With Lori Greiner's investment earlier this season, ShowNo is now available in Walt Disney World's two water parks in Florida.

Entrepreneur and the inventor of Rollerblades, Scott Olson, from Waconia, MN, was unable to convince the Sharks to invest in his newest invention, Skyride, an elevated mono-rail bike system.

Tune in to ABC on Friday, May 11 at 8 PM ET/PT when investors Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Kevin O'Leary, Robert Herjavec and Daymond John as they face a new round of entrepreneurs including two college students from Eugene, OR, who started their flavored peanut butter business from their dorm room; a music producer from El Segundo, CA, who wants to convince the Sharks to add a rock band to their portfolios; two guys from New York with what they believe is the next big trend in swimwear – interchangeable bikini wear;  and Billy Blanks, Jr., the once-homeless son of Tae Bo legend Billy Blanks, from Canoga Park, CA, asks the Sharks to invest in his and his wife's dance fitness program designed for all ages, shapes and sizes.  Additionally, in a follow-up story, Steve Gadlin from Evanston, IL is interviewed about his I Want To Draw A Cat For You drawing business, which Mark Cuban invested in earlier this season.

About SHARK TANK

The Sharks are: billionaire Mark Cuban, owner and chairman of HDNet andoutspoken owner of the 2011 NBA championship Dallas Mavericks; real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran; "Queen of QVC" Lori Greiner; technology innovator Robert Herjavec; fashion and branding expert Daymond John and venture capitalist Kevin O'Leary. SHARK TANK airs Fridays at 8PM on ABC.

The panel of five Sharks hears pitches of the best business and product ideas from some of America's brightest entrepreneurs. When the Sharks hear a great idea, they're ready to fight each other for a piece of it. If and when the Sharks are confronted with a really top-notch idea, and more than one of them wants to sink their teeth into it, a war between them can erupt.

Mark Burnett, Clay Newbill and Phil Gurin are the executive producers of SHARK TANK, based on the Japanese "Dragons' Den" format created by Nippon Television Network Corporation. The episode is directed by Ken Fuchs and Alan Carter. The series is from Sony Pictures Television.

SOURCE Sony Pictures Television