LeBron's "Cleveland Hustles" debuts tonight on CNBC at 10 p.m. ET (Gordon: how much)

[WRnative]

The show will resemble ABC's "Shark Tank," which has re-runs regularly broadcast on CNBC.

LeBron James hopes new CNBC reality show will be a slam-dunk for Cleveland | WKYC.com

http://www.cnbc.com/cleveland-hustles/

The plot revolves around new Cleveland entrepreneurs soliciting support from established Cleveland business leaders and investors in order to open stores in the Gordon Square Arts District.

Chef Jonathon Sawyer talks LeBron James' 'Cleveland Hustles,' new restaurants and his recipe for success | cleveland.com

The show should be good PR for Gordon Square, but I wonder how much of the country will care about one gentrifying neighborhood in Cleveland. It will be interesting to see if the show promotes existing anchors of Gordon Square, such as Sweet Moses, 78th St. Studios, the Capitol Theatre, Cleveland Public Theatre, etc.

If there isn't a segment on a 78th St. Studios' Third Friday, this show will miss its mark. IMO, the show will succeed only if it demonstrates the excitement of the Gordon Square Arts District, the district's gentrification, and captures the commitment and energy of those attempting to revitalize it, including the show's entrepreneurs.

78th Street Studios

I wonder if LeBron and long-time friend, business partner and co-producer Maverick Carter really know the Gordon Square Arts District intimately. For me, how the district is presented will be one of the most interesting aspects of the show. E.g., will an Edgewater Live event be integrated into the show? If not, another big miss IMO.

Edgewater LIVE 2016 | Events and Programs Calendar | Cleveland Metroparks

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/01/14/cnbc-...s-lemonis.html

With LeBron and all of the other personalities that must be introduced, I wonder how much time will be left for Gordon Square.

[WRnative]

The first episode was very professional, and gave a good background on the Cleveland Bagel Co.

However, the show didn't actually very much promote or distinguish the Gordon Square neighborhood or Cleveland. There was one scene shot at the West Side Market, but the location was never identified and it wasn't clear why anyone was there.

Also, I though the business math was very fuzzy. The claim was a bagel store location, including rent, cost of goods and labor could be operated for an entire day for $316. For a 14-hour day (7-7), $23/hour all-in would seem very low to me.

If I wasn't from Cleveland, I don't know why I would watch this program. Of course, I've never understood the appeal of the other business reality shows, such as "Shark Tank" either.

[TheProf]

Originally Posted by WRnative

The first episode was very professional, and gave a good background on the Cleveland Bagel Co.

However, the show didn't actually very much promote or distinguish the Gordon Square neighborhood or Cleveland. There was one scene shot at the West Side Market, but the location was never identified and it wasn't clear why anyone was there.

Also, I though the business math was very fuzzy. The claim was a bagel store location, including rent, cost of goods and labor could be operated for an entire day for $316. For a 14-hour day (7-7), $23/hour all-in would seem very low to me.

If I wasn't from Cleveland, I don't know why I would watch this program. Of course, I've never understood the appeal of the other business reality shows, such as "Shark Tank" either.

I saw Cleveland Hustles on tape this morning, and liked it (of course, I'm a sometimes watcher, and fan, of Shark Tank -- I especially like Mark Cuban)... Cleveland Hustles really has a lot of Cleveland street scenes that make the city seem interesting and inviting, including many that aren't near Gordon Square -- or even the West Side for that matter. There is an extensive scene inside the West Side Market which, of course, is every Clevelander's fave... I think the show has potential. Shark Tank is popular and the concept of taking its concept to the streets may sell. Certainly LeBron's connection to the show can't hurt. I like the way the show told the story and background of all of the participants, including the host, the main investor for this week, Alan Glazen.

Here's hoping this show has legs. We're in the "Cleveland era" these days; keep it rolling!!

[WRnative]

Originally Posted by TheProf

I saw Cleveland Hustles on tape this morning, and liked it (of course, I'm a sometimes watcher, and fan, of Shark Tank -- I especially like Mark Cuban)... Cleveland Hustles really has a lot of Cleveland street scenes that make the city seem interesting and inviting, including many that aren't near Gordon Square -- or even the West Side for that matter. There is an extensive scene inside the West Side Market which, of course, is every Clevelander's fave... I think the show has potential. Shark Tank is popular and the concept of taking its concept to the streets may sell. Certainly LeBron's connection to the show can't hurt. I like the way the show told the story and background of all of the participants, including the host, the main investor for this week, Alan Glazen.

Here's hoping this show has legs. We're in the "Cleveland era" these days; keep it rolling!!

Good and accurate observations.

The appeal of Shark Tank is the competitiveness of the sharks and the novelty of the businesses. Both of these elements are missing from Cleveland Hustles.

[TheProf]

Originally Posted by WRnative

Good and accurate observations.

The appeal of Shark Tank is the competitiveness of the sharks and the novelty of the businesses. Both of these elements are missing from Cleveland Hustles.

Good point. From just the 1-episode sample, Cleveland Hustles seems a more friendly kind of show than Shark Tank and is geared as much to helping the entrepreneurs as it is towards boosting the Gordon Square neighborhood.