Called Crowd Rules, the new show will
air at 9 p.m. EST. Small-business contestants will have an opportunity to
compete for a $50,000 prize. In what is being dubbed a “reality competition
series,” a 97-member studio audience will vote on who gets to take home the
prize money each week.
Entrepreneur jewelry designer Kendra Scott, local
television anchor Pat Kiernan, and one other rotating, industry specialist will
ask the featured small-business owners questions so that the audience crowd can
learn about the individuals and their ventures.
Each episode will have a theme. For example, the
season premier will involve three small specialty food businesses: Teaneck,
N.J.-based pickle company Pickle Licious, Key
Port, N.J.-based ice-cream company Mr. Green Tea, and
Wyckoff, N.J.-based spicy-food themed Heartbreaking Dawns. The
token expert for the first episode will be Elizabeth Chambers, a correspondent
for E! News and founder of the sweets shop Bird Bakery in San
Antonio, Texas.