‘MacGyver’ creator launches search for ‘The Next MacGyver’
It’s been a couple of decades since “MacGyver,” the once-ubiquitous series starring Richard Dean Anderson as the world’s most handy secret agent, went off the air. Time for a new MacGyver. But this time, it’ll be a woman.
“MacGyver” creator Lee Zlotoff and his MacGyver Foundation have teamed with the U.S. National Academy of Engineering and USC’s Viterbi School of Engineering for a new contest, “The Next MacGyver,” sponsored by the United Engineering Foundation.
The contest seeks ideas for a new TV series in which a female engineer is the star. She doesn’t necessarily have to be a secret agent, but those important skills like being able to fashion a nuclear weapon out of a stick of gum and an old shoe would clearly be welcomed.
Five winners will receive cash prizes and work with a panel of mentors, including “CSI” creator Anthony E. Zuiker, “Star Trek” cowriter Roberto Orci, Producers Guild of America President Lori McCreary and Clayton Krueger from Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Productions.
“MacGyver” aired on ABC from 1985 to 1992 and became a huge success overseas as well.
The contest’s goal is not so much to discover new television talent but to get a show on the air that will inspire a new generation of women to pursue science and engineering degrees, according to the contest website.
And who knows, perhaps if we can get the next MacGyver on the air, then sometime around 2030 we can enjoy “The Next MacGruber.”
Follow me on Twitter: @patrickkevinday
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