Kevin Flannery, the Cary CEO who got rejected on last night's episode of "Shark Tank," has found new life for his company WiSpots, with a merger and $3.1 million in investments lined up.

Flannery talked to assistant N&O business editor Alan Wolf today, and you can read more from their interview and more about Flannery's new company over on .biz.

WiSpots CEO Kevin Flannery got mauled by TV sharks Sunday night, but he was licking his wounds today, ready to swim again.

Flannery got a chance to pitch his Cary company, which sells wireless devices for physicians’ waiting areas, to billionaire investors on ABC’s new show “Shark Tank.” The ruthless investors, or sharks, were quick to dismiss the concept and essentially told Flannery not to waste any more time or risk any more money.

Since the show’s segments were taped mostly in January, Flannery has known for months that the outcome would sting.

“They didn’t listen and they didn’t really give me a shot,” he said by phone today. “But I also know that [millions of] people saw me and my products.”

And the former Marine has been busy since the taping. In June, he agreed to merge WiSpots with Worthington Healthcare of Raleigh.

Cary CEO Kevin Flannery got his chance to swim in ABC's billionaire "Shark Tank" last night, and it was clear pretty early on that an actual tank of great whites might have been a more pleasant experience for him.

Flannery was pitching his company WiSpots, requesting a $1.2 million investment in exchange for a 10% equity share.

For the show, a five-person panel of billionaires listens to each pitch and then they individually decide if they are in or out. They're risking their own money, not ABC's money, so they aren't playing around.

Kevin Flannery didn't exactly get eaten alive Sunday night, but close.

As Brooke Cain writes on our Happiness is a warm TV blog, the CEO of WiSpots pitched his Cary company to a panel of billionaire investors on ABC's "Shark Tank." The idea is to install wireless gadgets in physicians' offices for patients to use while they wait.

But the investors pointed out that many people already have phones and other devices with wireless Internet access. They also urged him to cut his losses and stop risking his family's future (and his financial well-being) on the venture.

Of course, there might be a bright side: The free publicity from the show could help Flannery find some cash anyway.

Who Wants to be a Millionaire (8pm, ABC) - Regis Philbin is back with the hit that started the big prime time game show craze in 1999. Tonight kicks off the first in 11 straight nights of prime time "Millionaire" action, as the show celebrates its 10th anniversary with an updated ("improved," says Regis) format. Both celebrities and non-celebrities compete for cash. Katy Perry plays and Sam Donaldson serves as a lifeline.

Joan Rivers Comedy Central Roast (9pm, Comedy) - Kathy Griffin hosts a roast of comedian Joan Rivers and trust me, it's gonna get U-G-L-Y.

Shark Tank (9pm, ABC) - A Cary businessman is one of several entrepreneurs who do their best to convince a panel of billionaires to invest in their idea or their company. 

Law & Order: Criminal Intent (9pm, NBC) - Tonight is the season 8 finale (finale!? too soon! too soon!), and it's a Goldblum episode. The plot sounds complicated - somehow the kidnapping and murder of a bank executive leads to something about a terrorist plot. Who cares. It's Goldblum. Also, don't miss a season 8 marathon on USA beginning this morning at 10am and lasting till 6pm.

The Hollywood Reporter (who obviously ranks advance ABC screeners whereas our modest little Warm TV blog does not) describes the entrepreneur competition show "Shark Tank" as "brisk, sharp, and surprisingly emotional."

The show, which premieres this Sunday at 9pm, gives local business people a chance to present an idea and business plan to a panel of billionaires and make a case that they deserve financial backing. 

We're watching because Cary CEO Kevin Flannery appears on Sunday's show to argue the merits of his company, WiSpots. But it's nice to know the show is interesting and engaging.

THR warns not to expect flashy production . . .

While we naturally wish for the continued physical safety of Cary businessman Kevin Flannery, we were a little disappointed when we learned that ABC's new show "Shark Tank" has nothing to do with actual sharks in tanks. Discovery Channel's Shark Week must be getting to us.

"Shark Tank," from the producer of "Survivor" and "The Apprentice," features inventors and entrepreneurs pitching business ideas in hopes of financial backing from a panel of millionaires. The aspiring moguls must sometimes give up a substantial chunk of their business in exchange for the money.

Can a Cary entrepreneur swim with the sharks?

Over at our TV blog, Brooke Cain writes about Kevin Flannery, founder and CEO of WiSpots, and his television debut.

On Sunday night at 9 p.m., Flannery will compete with other aspiring business types for the attention of investors on "Shark Tank."

WiSpots was founded in 2002, has 11 employees and sells Wi-Fi service for physicians' offices. Patients surf for free, and the company makes money through advertising.