If you’re a fan of the Ellen Show, you know that the show recently moved to a new set on the Warner Bros Studio lot. The new studio is huge… great for exploding clouds of liquid nitrogen! Watch the video, but keep reading to learn what happens behind all of those clouds.

I’ve mentioned this before, but it deserves a second mention. Ellen DeGeneres and the people who make up her staff are absolutely top-notch, first-class, amazing people who love their jobs. From the moment we arrived on the lot, there was someone ready to help us with anything we needed. And unlike a normal guest, I have a bunch of weird stuff to set-up backstage. The request list that I turned into the producers for this segment included rain coats, fire extinguishers, liquid nitrogen and a huge jar of pickles. With lots of stuff comes lots of set-up time backstage and probably more interaction with the Ellen Show crew than most guests get.

Aside from having a great time, the big take away for me during this visit was the way the Ellen staff does their jobs. There’s a genuine sense of excitement and fun on the set. From the prop coordinators to the make-up artists to the camera people and the producers, everyone takes so much pride in what they do. Everyone seems to live by the motto - make it big, do it right, give it class… or don’t do it. Right before rehearsal, the producer who handles my segment told me that one of the executive producers wanted to stand in for Ellen as we ran through each of the experiments. Normally I watch him out of the corner of my eye as he watches the demos for the first time and takes notes during the rehearsal. This time, instead of watching the demos, he wanted to participate and get his hands dirty (literally). That idea of having fun, being engaged (instead of just showing up) and doing everything possible to make the show great is exactly why the show is great.

Maybe that’s the secret… make sure you’re doing something you really love to do… or don’t do it.

Popularity: 2% [?]

When television people want snow and the weather isn’t cooperating, who do they turn to? Okay, that’s a trick question. The nice people at ABC’s Good Morning America featured one of our most popular products in 2006 - Blizzard in a Bucket. When a producer from Good Morning America called our distributor, Be Amazing! Toys, she wanted to “make snow” during an outdoors segment because New York City was unseasonably warm. If you’re unfamiliar with Insta-Snow, it’s a special powder that literally erupts into snow. Don’t get confused… it’s not real snow but it looks very realistic. Blizzard in a Bucket is an early childhood science kit that uses the snow powder to replace ordinary sand. Thanks Good Morning America.

Popularity: 15% [?]

When the phone rings, we never know quite what to expect. The phone rang and on the other end was a senior producer at the Ellen Show (you know… Ellen DeGeneres). It seems that this producer had been watching a few of our science videos and wanted to know if Ellen would have fun making huge clouds with liquid nitrogen, shooting potatoes, whipping up a batch of slime or learning how to make toilet paper fly. My response was “yes” to all of the above. But maybe it’s best if you help us decide which science experiments would be most fun to do with Ellen. Of course, the goal of the segment is to show parents how to make learning fun… and what could be more fun than 50 gallons of Insta-Snow erupting on the set?

Now this doesn’t mean that I’m automatically on the show… they’re just interested. So, what cool science demos should I pitch to the producers at the Ellen Show?

Popularity: 6% [?]

Drum roll please… and this week’s most asked customer service question is… Is there more than one Insta-Snow on the market? Answer: NO, but there are a number of knock-offs and the calls we get are pretty funny. There is only one Insta-Snow® as indicated by that “circle R” thing. We don’t use the ® everywhere because it becomes somewhat annoying, but the name Insta-Snow is a federally registered trademark of Steve Spangler Inc. (Federal Trademark Registration #2928946). But that hasn’t stopped the knock-off companies from branding their own versions of a snow powder. Our favorite knock-offs are the companies who believe that Insta-Snow is the same superabsorbent polymer found in a baby’s diaper. If this were true, every time the baby went potty, the diaper would erupt to an enormous size and explode! Might be a great way to potty train the kid, but it’s not true. Insta-Snow® is the only polymer that instantly ERUPTS when it comes in contact with water. The knock-off “snow” companies tell their customers to “…add water and stir the mixture for 20-30 seconds to make snow.” All you have after 30 seconds is a tired hand and a cup of baby diaper goo. Just stick with the original Insta-Snow® and you’ll be safe, happy and amazed.

Popularity: 5% [?]

This morning, television viewers of Good Morning America learned how to make snow in their living room with our very own Insta-Snow. Each month Good Morning America highlights “Stupid Products” from the stupid.com website, and I’m pleased to say one of my creations was one of the lucky few featured on the segment. I’m so proud… it’s almost like winning the Nobel Prize!

“This product isn’t stupid… my kids would love it!”
- Good Morning America co-anchor (what’s his name??)

Popularity: 15% [?]