• by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, March 9, 2023

A handful of long-running shows have emerged as influencers that have changed the way we develop entrepreneurial businesses, savor our food, buy and sell homes, and renovate them.

For example, “Shark Tank” has been a huge influencer in the lives of hopeful, would-be entrepreneurs, emboldening them to pursue their dreams. 

This often means sinking their life savings into their business ideas, and seeking loans from banks, family and friends.

For 14 years and more than 1,400 episodes on ABC, “Shark Tank” has provided a template for entrepreneurs.

In addition to weekly airings on ABC, repeats have aired for years on CNBC, where the show has become ubiquitous in the perfect prime-time environment for business-related content done in an entertaining way.

For thousands and possibly millions of entrepreneurial aspirants (such as the ones seen in the photo above), the show is a primer on how to mount a presentation and make a pitch.

It is one reason why the show is so popular with entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs alike.

Entrepreneurs love it for the lessons it imparts and the hope it provides. Non-entrepreneurs love it because it allows them to root for these hopefuls and their inventions, especially when some of them seem like long shots.

When these very earnest and likable entrepreneurs get the deal they are seeking with one of the sharks, we share in their elation. When they are turned down, we feel their heartbreak.

Whether or not the deal-making on “Shark Tank” is an accurate depiction of how business is conducted in the real world, the show has inspired untold numbers of people to define their business goals and then try to realize them, the “Shark Tank” way.

In the food space, Guy Fieri’s relentless restaurant road-tripping has turned all of us into culinary commentators.

His first and longest-running show on Food Network, “Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives,” has been around since 2007. It is currently marathoned every week on Friday and Saturday nights.

It is a winning formula that has changed little in the 400-plus episodes that have been produced.

In each half-hour show, Guy is seen in two or more cities in the U.S. visiting local eateries, hanging out in the kitchens with the chef-owners, watching them prepare a signature dish or two, and then tasting them.

If Guy has ever sampled anything he didn’t like, then that was probably left on the cutting room floor.

Instead, he is unapologetically enthusiastic as he takes huge mouthfuls of meatballs, fried chicken, hamburgers, burritos and much more, and pronounces them all to be outstanding.

“Outstanding” is one of his go-to words as he checks off each dish’s combination of seasoning, the freshness of the homemade slaw, the juiciness of the meat and the texture, texture, texture of everything -- a trait of paramount importance to Guy.

His go-to catchphrases include: “Oh, that’s money!” and “Winner, winner, chicken dinner!”

And now, millions are saying the same things as they critique the restaurant food that has been placed before them.

Even on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” the restaurant patrons who Guy interviews in the dining rooms are now evaluating their food in the same way he does. Millions more are doing it too, including the couple seated at the table right next to yours.

Many of the shows on HGTV have revolutionized the world of home real estate, remodeling and renovation.

“House Hunters,” “Fixer Upper” and “Flip Or Flop” are just three of the many shows on HGTV that are setting the tone for interior home design and influencing millions on their choices of subway tiles and stainless steel appliances.

Of all the shows on HGTV, house-flipping is probably the biggest category. The HGTV press site lists 13 shows with the word “Flip” in their titles, all providing guidance and inspiration with a “you can do it too” attitude.

Flipping has become so commonplace -- thanks in no small measure to HGTV -- that many of the homes seen for sale on “House Hunters” are flip houses.

The HGTV shows have helped to create a generation of home buyers who demand “open concepts,” updated kitchens and bathrooms, and outdoor space to please the one family member who matters most, their dog.