By jove, I think we've got it.

Much happened at the meeting, however it was after the meeting that the real solution was born.

We were really facing a dilmma as costs to produce are high, difficult to get sponsors before broadcaster, difficult to get broadcaster without guarantee of 13 shows.

We met Sandra and Joseph. We were particularly impressed with Joseph - at least I was.

He's going to try to hook us up with Randy in Toronto. Things may move more smoothly in the Canadian market then. Randy also may be interested in co-producing.

However, we still felt we were facing a big challenge getting 13 shows together.

As had discussed the successful "Shop the World" and compared production costs etc. It is now in its 4th season. What became apparent (on the train to Newark Airport afterwards) was that Shop the World does not do 13 different locations. Many of their shows are 2 parters - 1 show from Rome and then another show from Rome. And then a show from Milan.

We have been talking about adding an interactive element to the show...Shea's travel tips,.. trivia, quizzes, marketing the website or a charitable element - but the shows were too jam packed for that. Now we're thinking we have the answer.

Several of the shows have really good segments that have ended up on the cutting room floor. We'll resurrect some of them, add in some interesting stuff and make two shows from one.

We think this will work with New Zealand, Kenya and Hawaii.
(we don't want to overdo it.)

Everyone agrees that the shows are jam-packed and terrific the way they are. But, unfortunately, we are not going to see the revenue in the first season to pay for the luxury of 5 or 6 days shooting per show. (Shop the World shoots in 1 or 2 days) We know our goal is to get back to that but right now it's just not feasible.

Hence - tons more editing. DENISE WE NEED YOU!!

Unky Duck will certainly have his work cut out for him but at the post-trip fiesta last night he gamefully agreed to see what he could do.

I encourage everyone who is interested to submit ideas for the added segments....a call in segment from a viewer with a question for Shea....whatever....keep the ideas coming.

So in a wrap-up - we're looking at
Episode One - New Zealand
Episode Two - New Zealand
Episode Three - Jamaica
Episode Four - Kenya
Episode Five - Kenya
Episode Six - Egypt
Episode Seven - Hawaii
Episode Eight - Hawaii
Episode Nine - Costa Rica
Episode Ten - China
Episode Eleven - China
Episode Twelve - India
Episode Thirteen - Best of Wrap Up

And voila - thirteen shows.

I'm going to run this idea past Joseph today and get his feedback.

Your comments are of course, welcome!

Thanks to P and Ken for a great trip. It was well worth it.