Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2004 | 8:22 a.m.
Two college friends with a cooking show for tailgaters.
A children's program with a genie who sings and tells stories.
A family-friendly hourlong comic showcase.
An ultra-modern lifestyle series described as "Martha Stewart meets 'Pee-Wee's Playhouse.'"
For anyone looking to syndicate a TV series or just to make industry contacts, the 41st annual National Association of Television Program Executives is the place to be.
Concluding today, the three-day convention at the Sands Expo Center attracts thousands of hopefuls looking to get their product broadcast to the masses.
"It's a chance to expose ourselves to people who are not familiar with us," said Steve Cassarino, one half of the cooking duo Clever Cleaver Brothers.
A syndicated cooking show that airs in 2 1/2-minute segments, "The Clever Cleaver Brothers" is seen in 25 cities nationwide during NFL games, reaching a total audience of 1.8 million.
"That's more than any show on the Food Network," Steve Cassarino, the other Clever Cleaver Brother, proudly said.
Since forming in 1984 the longtime friends also have been featured on multitudes of talk and entertainment shows, from "Entertainment Tonight" and "CBS This Morning" to "Crook and Chase" and "Live! With Regis & Kathie Lee."
That success would not have been possible -- or, at least, exceedingly more difficult -- had it not been for NATPE, they said.
"I think it opens the eyes of small folks," Cassarino said. "The big guys make deals outside of NATPE. It's the little guys who make deals at NATPE."
Still, he cautioned the convention is not for everyone dreaming of being on TV.
"It's always challenging. Our business is not for the weak and timid," Cassarino said. "If you're worried about your paycheck, don't come here."
That didn't stop Genie Corcoran, chief executive, creative director and star of "Tales from the Storygenie," a children's program she developed for syndication last year.
"There's no place for fear if you expect to succeed in television," she said. "And I'm fearless."
With a one-hour show already taped and in syndication in 16 markets across the United States, Corcoran was at NATPE to attract more distributors, syndicators and buyers.
"You've got to get out there to be seen," said the longtime Las Vegas resident. "You've got to be willing to put yourself in a vulnerable position. And you do feel vulnerable."
Two days into the convention, however, and Corcoran said the comments she received so far were positive -- especially concerning her inclusion of Spanish language segments in the program.
"The feedback we're getting is that we're on the right track."
It was much the same story for Guardian Studios' comic showcase, "Bananas."
With 14 shows already taped and another 13 to be filmed beginning next week, "Bananas" features club-circuit comedians whose humor is always G rated.
It's what "Bananas" executive producer Steve Howard calls "remote-free TV."
"You can watch with your daughter and mom and you don't need a hand on the mute button," he said.
With syndication deals inked at this year's NATPE, the studio's first attendance, Howard said "Bananas" will air in 50 percent of the nation's households, on cable, satellite and independent affiliates.
Rather than pitching a concept, as do many NATPE attendees, Guardian Studios opted to produce the show first and then look for financial backing.
Without NATPE, however, this backward-process wouldn't be possible, said Guardian Studios president Richard Schilg.
"We're bypassing some traditional means," Schilg said. "Without NATPE, we couldn't do that. NATPE gives you the opportunity to be out there with stations and stations' broadcasters. It's a way to go direct if you have a quality program and it's produced."
Even for programs still in the development stages, NATPE promises the opportunity to meet potential contacts who can bankroll a show.
The key, however, is to stand out from the already crowded convention center.
"Lotta Livin', " a retro-style guide to modern living that cashes in on the kitsch craze, used a colorful booth featuring Tiki figures, hula skirts, a bongo and ukulele player and Lava Lamps to attract attention.
"There is no set way to get on the air," Lee Scott, co-producer of "Lotta Livin'," said. "Anyone does anything to get on the air. This is how we chose to get the word out."
The ploy worked.
While the show is nothing more than a concept at the moment, already there has been significant interest by three potential investors.
"This is a huge personal investment for us, these booths are not cheap at all," Lee Scott, co-producer of "Lotta Livin'," said. "We brought a lot of color to what I can see is a blue, black and gray convention."
"You're trying to sell things. Why would you have things disappear in the collection" of booths?"
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