Cast 'Shark Tank's Daymond John as Willy Wonka, Please

Daymond John, star of Shark Tank, is on a media tour to promote a children’s book about financial literacy and other such matters. That’s well and good, but I can only see his giant, Willy Wonka-sized top hat.

That’s not a dig, by the way: you have to admire anyone willing to step out in public dressed like Mr. Monopoly. Takes guts!

It’s also a fitting look for Daymond John, who’s best-known to the public for co-starring on Shark Tank with a bunch of other billionaires.

Shark Tank, if you’re unaware, is a reality show that riffs on the format established by the UK’s Dragons’ Den wherein small business owners, inventors, tinkerers, and the occasional conman pitch ideas to the ultra-rich “sharks.”

It’s the ultimate late-capitalist experience, wherein the 1% dictate the fortunes of average shmucks trying to turn a buck. Not that all of the people pitching ideas are angels, by any means.

As such, Shark Tank actually does have a bit of that Willy Wonka feel to it. The show promises a golden ticket (with strings attached) to the occasional lucky soul while dooming others to the miserable fate of primetime TV mockery (better or worse than Oompa Loompas and a pool of chocolate?).

Thus fitting that Daymond John is decked out in an ensemble that recalls Willy Wonka as portrayed by both Gene Wilder (hat, funky suit) and Johnny Depp (giant sunglasses).

There is a new Willy Wonka movie set to debut later in 2023, starring Timothée Chalamet as the titular candy man, though the studio really missed a trick by not casting Daymond John in the lead role instead.

Tiny Timmy can handle the imposing Wonka crown, according to early on-set photos of the production but I have to say that Daymond pulls it off much better, given that he’s got the confidence to wear a top hat to various TV appearances and then continue wearing it on the street.

Dress for the job you want, as they say.