You can do all of this today without their branding though. Or their permission. It's not like being associated with them is going to get you much credibility w

You can do all of this today without their branding though. Or their permission. It's not like being associated with them is going to get you much credibility when it's an open system. Nothing is stopping you from making a total rip off of their show and its format today - and you don't need to get permission or pay royalties. That's how it should be; it's not like anyone is using copyrighted characters.