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" Dear E. Jean: Last weekend, I ran into a well-known producer as we both waited in line at a Thai takeout place. Her company supplies reality and documentary shows to television networks. We started talking, and I pitched her an idea for a show on the spot. She liked it so much, we set a meeting. The problem is, it&amp;#039;s my ex-boyfriend&amp;#039;s idea. This is the guy who cheated on me last year with my own intern! I think I added enough details to the idea to make it mine. Do I have to give him credit?\u2014Laissez-faire Laissez, my love:  Yes, you must credit the little dickhead. But keep your wits about you. I just got off the phone with the foxy and dexterous Stephanie Drachkovitch, executive vice president/co-owner of 44 Blue Productions, Inc. (Family Court, Split Ends, Peter Perfect, etc.), and, after listening to your letter, here is what she advises: &amp;quot;You never want to pitch someone else&amp;#039;s intellectual property. If it&amp;#039;s not substantially different from the original concept, you gotta call the guy and say, `Hey, I have an opportunity to pitch the idea. I&amp;#039;ve made changes to it, but I think we should have an agreement between us before I meet with the producer.&amp;#039; Then you should draw up a couple of paragraphs outlining how you&amp;#039;ll share credit, fees, responsibilities if the show becomes a series.&amp;quot; Of course, on the other hand, if you don&amp;#039;t want to contact the filthy cad, come up with a new idea. P.S. Because the brilliant Drachkovitch takes about 250 pitches a year, I called her back and asked her for the three best tips for giving a good TV pitch. She said:  1. Practice the pitch in front of someone. You&amp;#039;ll quickly see where the holes are in your idea. You must be prepared to respond when challenged by the buyer.  2. Get me excited in the room.  Tell me a story. Engage my imagination. Be excited about your own idea!  3. Paint a picture of your show. I like props! Visuals! I like to see the idea come to life on a tape, on storyboards, or in a cleverly written presentation. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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