SallyAnn Salsano, owner of 495 Productions and the mastermind producer behind some of our favorite reality television shows like Jersey Shore and Snooki & JWoww and talk show, The Real, took the time to answer some burning questions I had about her latest Bravo endeavor, Invite Only Cabo. Check out the interview below for all the details!
Tomorrow night on @WatchBravo @LarryJarahSims it's on pic.twitter.com/ix6XOecyd4
— SallyAnn Salsano (@sallyannsalsano) May 13, 2017
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 04: Jersey Shore Producer Pam Lima, Vinny Guadagnino, creator SallyAnn Salsano, and Paul ‘Pauly D’ DelVecchio attends the “Jersey Shore” Final Season Premiere at Bagatelle on October 4, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Jerritt Clark/WireImage)
#MarthaAndSnoop first day they saw the set. Here we go thank you to a great team @SnoopDogg @MarthaStewart pic.twitter.com/GAm543YV8V
— SallyAnn Salsano (@sallyannsalsano) November 8, 2016
Did you always know you wanted to produce shows?
YES, I’M VERY LUCKY THAT I HAVE MADE A CAREER OUT OF SOMETHING I WAS BORN TO DO. IT WAS EITHER THIS, OR OPEN A PIZZA RESTAURANT.
What has your journey in TV been like? Has the road to success been easy?
NO ONE HAS AN EASY ROAD TO SUCCESS, BUT I WOULD SAY MINE HAS BEEN A ROLLER COASTER: FAST, LOTS OF UPS AND DOWNS, AND SOMETIMES YOU WANT TO THROW UP, BUT AT THE END ALL YOU CAN THINK IS, “THAT WAS NUTS, LET’S DO IT AGAIN!”
How do you keep creating amazing new shows? What inspires you?
I LOVE POP CULTURE, I LOVE TV, AND I’M CONSTANTLY AMAZED BY HUMAN BEHAVIOR. IF YOU PUT THOSE ELEMENTS TOGETHER, YOU CAN COME UP WITH SOME PRETTY CRAZY STUFF.
Congrats on Invite Only Cabo! How did the show come about?
I HAVE A VERY DIVERSE GROUP OF FRIENDS FROM VERY DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE, PLUS, I LOVE TO ENTERTAIN AT HOME. I WAS THINKING OF MY “DREAM DINNER PARTY,” WHICH LED ME TO MY “NIGHTMARE DINNER PARTY,” AND WHO WOULD I INVITE TO EACH. FROM THERE IT WAS A SHORT LEAP TO THE IDEA FOR “INVITATION ONLY”.
What should viewers expect from Invite Only Cabo?
THEY SHOULD EXPECT WHAT I’M SURE MANY PEOPLE CAN IDENTIFY WITH: WHAT SEEMED LIKE A GREAT IDEA AT THE TIME, TO TAKE ALL YOUR FRIENDS ON VACATION, GOES TOTALLY OFF THE RAILS ONCE THOSE FRIENDS ACTUALLY MEET EACH OTHER.
Did you have a favorite moment during filming?
YES, BUT I CAN’T TALK ABOUT IT — YOU’LL HAVE TO WATCH THE SHOW!
Would you want to start creating scripted shows for networks like Netflix and Hulu?
OF COURSE, I’M A PRODUCER AT HEART, I HAVE MY OWN COMPANY AND I LOVE MAKING TV REGARDLESS OF THE GENRE.
Do you feel like as a women you still struggle to get equal respect as men in your business?
ABSOLUTELY, THE GLASS CEILING IS REAL, BUT I’M SHORT SO IT DOESN’T HURT MY HEAD AS MUCH WHEN I BANG UP AGAINST IT!
What motto do you live by?
MAKE GREAT TV AND HAVE A GOOD TIME DOING IT, THE REST TAKES CARE OF ITSELF!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
STANDING ON A SET IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE WITH FIVE CAMERAS SHOOTING SOMETHING SO CRAZY EVEN I CAN’T BELIEVE IT.
Any advice for anyone out there who wants to follow in your footsteps?
BUY SOME COMFORTABLE SHOES, YOU’RE GONNA BE ON YOUR FEET FOR THE NEXT TWENTY YEARS.
