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Well folks, after more than 14 months as the "unoffical blog for Dragons' Den" this site will be closing down and moving.....
TO BECOME THE OFFICIAL SHOW BLOG!!!!
Yes, that's right, CBC has offered me a spot on the new Dragons' Den website: www.CBC.ca/DragonsDen and I've accepted. So starting this week, find all the behind the scenes gossip about Season Two here: www.CBC.ca/dragonsden See you on the new site.
We are now 2 weeks away from the launch of Season Two. By now you've probably seen the promotions and soon you can a copy of PROFIT magazines October special on the show.
I've now had the chance to watch the first two episodes and trust me, they look great. More drama, better companies, better offers, better overall.
For those who went into the Den and are wondering "if they made the cut", rest assured you will be informed. Currently, Lara C is busy emailing pitchers a week before their air date. So no need to keep emailing me. :)
Remember, the show launches 8 pm Monday, Oct 1st on CBC, so get your popcorn and a comfy seat 'cuz soon....
the Dragons are Back!!!!
As most of you know Dragons' Den originated in England on the UK's BBC. Also, as most of you know, our white haired Dragon, Laurence Lewin, also originated from England. So in a flash of brilliance we put 1 and 1 together and shipped our English Dragon home, where he visited the set of our sister show.
Here are the pictures he sent back from the set of Series 4 of Dragons' Den on the BBC. (click the pic to enlarge)
Last night I spoke with Dragon superstar Kevin O'Leary.
We discussed his new show on the Discovery network, Season Two's upcoming launch (Oct 1st) and of course the Gemini nomination for Season One of Dragons Den.
On hearing that the Den was up against "Next Top Model" and "Top Chef" the fiery Dragon said:
You can't buy food or sex without money, that’s why money always wins and in the end is the only thing that really matters. Now give us the Gemini!
Now, like everyone else I watch clips on Youtube. And like all TV shows, Dragons' Den, does get considerable coverage (although I doubt any of it is authorized) on YouTube. One of the advantages is of course, that it allows you to compare and contrast the Canadian Den with those from oversees. Here see for yourself:
DRAGONS DEN BBC
DRAGONS DEN CBC
DRAGONS DEN ISRAEL
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DRAGONS DEN Netherlands
So? Which one do you dig the most?
Next week our friends at Dragons' Den in the UK go back into the Den with their 2nd annual "Where are the They Now Episode", while behind the scenes they prepare to begin auditions for Season Five. So if you find yourself in London, feel free to apply: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dragonsden/apply.shtml
During the taping of Season Two of Dragons Den, a group of wrestling superstars pitched a 
new league.
While we thought this could be a deal (you'll have to wait until October to find out if it was) what we didn't expect was Jim Treliving, Dragon, former RCMP officer, Boston Pizza chairman to recount his days as a masked wrestler, fighting out of Edmonton under the name, the Hangman.
Sources close to the Dragon, confirm the truth of this statement.
Who would have thunk it? From Bodyslams to Billionaire?
It was regular day shooting, all was going great, but then the strangest thing happened, a pitcher walked in and shock the Dragons to there core.
Before them stood a twin of our most vocal Dragon, Kevin O'Leary. It was like looking in the mirror for O'Leary's fellow Dragons. They were soooooo similar. Not only in appearance (as you can see for yourself) but they were also similar in manner. You'll have to watch next season (starting Weds, Oct 3rd at 8 PM) to see it for yourself. But it was so eerie that Laurence actually gave up his seat to the O'Leary "Clone" and we got to see the side by side comparison for ourselves.
But it wasn't just the Dragons who were shaken by this tycoon clone, our talented Director Michelle was so wowed by the "mini me" O'Leary that she called for the split screen. 
O'Leary Separated at Birth?
Still not seeing it? Try it with badly drawn on glasses.
Ok, now I'm wierded out........
No, of course not, Kevin simply went to the washroom and I seized the opportunity to sit in his seat, not fill his shoes.
After all, no one can fill Kevin's shoes! Nobody! Cuz nobody says "You sir. Are a Crazy Chicken" quite like the master. And that's just how we like it. So rest easy Armchair Dragons, Kevin is fine!
After "dealing with his broker" he returned to the set and the show went on:
She's sexy. She's sassy. She's super smart, and..... she is our new DRAGON.
Her name is Arlene Dickinson, and she's taken the Den by Storm.
One CBC insider was even recently overheard saying:
"I want Arlene to be my mom, and that's saying a lot, cuz my mom rocks!!!"
And for the record, she is not a lady dragon, nor a dragonette, she is a DRAGON, and can breath fire with the best of the rest of our judges. You'll have to wait until Oct 3rd to see for yourself, but in the meantime, as George S would say, here is the bio:
After joining Venture Commincations as a partner in 1988, Arlene took over sole ownership in 1998. Her vision has driven Venture's growth, successfully building it from a local firm into one of Canada's largest independent marketing firms, with offices in Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto and Ottawa.
Her accomplishments, vision and leadership have been recognized with several honours and awards. They include: Global Television Woman of Vision; the Calgary Business Owner of the Year Award; PROFIT magazine's TOP 100 Women Business Owners, 2001 to 2006; a winner of the Pinnacle Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence; Canada's Most Powerful Women Top 100, 2003 to 2006; Ad Rodeo's Lifetime Achievement Award; and Marketing Magazine's Power List. Venture has been recognized as one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies.
As an entrepreneur, Arlene understands her clients' focus on the bottom line. She believes strongly that marketing's efforts must be accountable to senior executives against the same business goals and objectives as all other business units. She has led her company to change the landscape of marketing by developing a unique methodology and software reporting tool which provide clients with a means of understanding marketing's contribution to their business. This is a revolutionary concept in an industry not known for speaking in the language of business.
In addition to her busy roles as president of Venture, mother of four children and grandmother of one, Arlene finds time to lend her skills and leadership to benefit the industry and the community. She served for many years and in various board roles, including chair, with Ad Rodeo and is past co-chair of the National Board for Kids Help Phone. She is a director of the Calgary Municipal Lands Corporation, 2016 Homeless Foundation, a member of the International Women's Federation (IWF) and a director of the Recreation for Life Foundation. As well, Venture does extensive pro bono work for several non-profit organizations.
for more on the CBC's new lineup, click here: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2007/29/c5930.html
