The Edge With Jake 22 Year Old Lands Talk Show

When Jake Sasseville is in a bind with his production crew quitting overnight because he is unable to pay them, he uses brownies to finagle an early $25,000 from his biggest sponsor, Overstock.com. Jake is only 22, but already hosts his own late night talk show, The Edge with Jake. I just spoke with him a couple of days ago on the phone and he had me laughing for nearly an hour as we discussed his story, the show, entrepreneurship, and a potential partnership down the road for a different project. Although he is a comedian and talk show host, his story embodies that of a successful entrepreneur. He not only aims to host a creative show targeted to the Generation Y demographic, but wants to use it as a means to show his audience how a 22 year old gets his own show, exposing the ups and downs. His so called "show within a show" is a clever concept that is great for enabling his audience to feel a part of his journey while also differentiating and distinguishing himself in the entertainment industry.

Jake's story begins when he was fifteen and realized there was nothing on TV specifically for his generation. It was at that time that he set out to produce his own show starting on local TV. After some time, he eventually found himself out of cash three months before his premiere on ABC. But a payroll of $30,000 due the next day isn't so much of a concern for Jake; he calls these moments "opportunities." His whole story revolves around this type of free form production where he raises money as he needs it, which sometimes forces him to pull all-nighters to raise thousands of dollars in mere hours. He is usually able to pull it off too. Part of the reason is that advertisers are aching to throw their products in front of the Gen-Y demographic (To name a couple, Overstock.com has pledged $125,000 and Ford has given him a new Focus). ;the other is his immeasurable determination.

The show is quite funny. During one interview with 30 Rock actress, Katrina Bowden, he explains that the Dunkin Donuts they are sitting in is his new production studio. (It looked like Katrina came prepared to be in a real studio with a fancy dress on). They later proceeded to have a munchkin fight. Other parts of the show are filmed around New York City on location. New York Magazine describes another funny segment:

"In January, Jake scores a short interview with Wyclef Jean at the Nokia Theatre in Times Square. I ask Jake if he's a fan. "Not until we booked him." Two index cards filled with Wyclef facts are tucked in his pockets, but he has no questions. "I think I'm just going to let it flow," Jake says, as he grabs a diet Red Bull. The Edge gets eight minutes of Wyclef's time, and Jake spends it mainly on small talk. He asks what it was like to work with Shakira and awkwardly tries out some slang he learned from Cipha Sounds. Wyclef obliges Jake with a quick, a cappella version of "If I Was President," and the interview ends. As the two men stand for pictures, Wyclef leans in and asks Jake if he's read much about Alexander the Great. "He conquered the world at your age." "

Jake also taught me about one of his best ways to get in the door at large corporations and receive a call back immediately. I have promised to keep it secret, but its genius! Will Jake make it? We are all itching to find out.

He gave me some words of wisdom: "Don't say you are trying to become a successful entrepreneur, act as if if you are already a successful entrepreneur, because you are already!" People will pick up on the confidence and you'll trick them into believing the same.