ATLANTA — The tank is open for business, but this season the sharks are swimming in a new city.
After a decade of filming in Los Angeles, ABC’s hit investment show Shark Tank has moved production to Tyler Perry Studios in metro Atlanta, bringing one of television’s most recognizable franchises to a city known for entrepreneurship and innovation.
Channel 2’s Karyn Greer got an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the new season and spoke with several familiar sharks about what viewers can expect.
“It’s changed the life of myself and all the sharks,” said Daymond John. “We are people that are household names, and we have the joy of being able to invest in others’ dreams. They allow us to take the ride on their dream. That’s the American dream.”
John said Atlanta has long been a special place for him and his business career.
“You gotta understand, FUBU, my biggest market was Atlanta,” John said. “This is my favorite city. I love it.”
While the location may be new, the show’s mission remains the same: entrepreneurs pitching big ideas in hopes of securing investments from some of the world’s most successful business leaders.
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Lori Greiner said she’s still searching for products that solve real problems and entrepreneurs who can turn those ideas into successful businesses.
“What’s enriched me all these years later is the families I’ve helped,” Greiner said. “These beautiful entrepreneurs have become part of my family.”
Meanwhile, Kevin O’Leary, better known as “Mr. Wonderful,” said contestants should still expect blunt honesty when they enter the tank.
“Listen, my thing is, I tell the truth,” O’Leary said. “You may not like it, but it’s still the truth.”
Robert Herjavec said the pressure inside the tank hasn’t changed, even with the move to Georgia.
“I love Atlanta,” Herjavec said. “These studios are incredible.”
This season also introduces a new shark, Atlanta venture capitalist Rashaun Williams, who recently sat down with Greer at the WSB-TV studios to discuss joining the panel.
“Atlanta is such a great place for entrepreneurship,” Williams said. “Atlanta is one of the few cities where anybody can become somebody, and that’s what the whole Shark Tank thing is about.”
Williams believes the show’s move reflects Atlanta’s growing influence as a destination for business, technology and innovation.
“I think people thought L.A. was the city where you can go and achieve your dreams,” Williams said. “It’s Atlanta.”
Season 18 of Shark Tank premieres Wednesday, Sept. 30, with a special two-hour episode beginning at 9 p.m. on WSB-TV.
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