DO PEOPLE LIKE IT? (#104)

EPISODE PREMIERE: October 7, 2005

With four teams remaining, the inventors were told that their products and pitches were going to be taken out of the bubble of the lab to be put under public scrutiny. They learned that focus group testing was the name of the game, and that they would each get to pitch their product to a specifically selected group of consumers. Focus group testing can make or break a product's future. It's a frightening but invaluable test for any inventor because it allows real people to give their feedback about a product for the very first time. What do they like and dislike? What would they change? How much would they pay for this product? Until now, the competitors could only have guessed at what these answers were, but after today, they would have real tangible facts from consumers to incorporate into their product plan.

Landon and Marvin began the day and received positive and constructive feedback about the Gorilla Gripper, although some of the people in their group did not believe that Marvin was a real construction worker. Chris and Sammy's pitch of the Hydromax System earned generally good reviews, but they were criticized because Chris did all of the talking even though Sammy's NFL career made him the stronger person to endorse the product. Riding the high of their last judges' evaluation, Justin and Josh figured they and their Quad Zipper were invincible, but their Quad Zipper jacket was harshly reamed by their focus group. Feeling most vulnerable going into the day, Quintana and Jessica finally proved their standing in the competition. Their focus group loved the Interchangeable Shoe concept, and showered both the women and their product with rave reviews.

During a debriefing after the competition, Sammy received a phone call from his agent telling him that the San Diego Chargers needed him to leave immediately for the start of training camp. Chris spoke briefly to Sammy and decided to continue in the competition even though Sammy could no longer be there with him.

In their next challenge, the inventors traveled to a salon, where they were asked to "re-invent" themselves by picking a new wardrobe and getting a makeover to achieve an "appropriate" look for their product. Under the guidance of Hollywood PR agent Rachel McCallister, the teams examined a number of outfits before settling in on which one best served their product and sales style. Landon and Marvin won the competition - and with it, a private meeting with Rachel - because they demonstrated teamwork in making their choice of sharp yet authentic outfits.

Then the teams returned to the lab to make their final pitch to the judges. During this final pitch, Landon and Marvin and Chris received kudos from the judges, while Quintana and Jessica were given very mixed reviews, including another "F" from Karim. However, Karim saved his greatest sting for Justin and Josh, describing them as "very arrogant." Quintana and Jessica and Justin and Josh were chosen as the final two teams up for elimination, and after their most arduous deliberation yet, the judges eliminated Justin and Josh.

Now it's down to the final three, as Landon and Marvin, Chris, and Quintana and Jessica are going to HSN headquarters in Tampa, Florida in their final step towards being "Made in the USA!" All three teams will make one final pitch in front of the cameras, and then America will vote to choose the winner!