MySpace, Mark Burnett to launch political reality show in time for 2008 election

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Associated Press

Published Wednesday | April 25, 2007
MySpace, Mark Burnett to launch political reality show in time for 2008 election


LOS ANGELES (AP) - The online social networking site MySpace and reality TV producer Mark Burnett are teaming to launch the search for an independent presidential candidate.

The political reality show "Independent" comes with a $1 million cash prize and a catch: the winner can't keep the money.

The prize can be used to finance a run for the White House or can be given to a political action committee or political cause.

Contestants in the show, set to launch in early 2008, will meet the public and interact with supporters, protesters and others. An interactive "town hall" will give MySpace users and TV viewers a chance to rate their performance.

The show does not yet have a commitment from a TV network.

Read more: http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2835&u_sid=2372354

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A few more bits of info at the link.

[sniffa]

1. if they'd start sooner they'd have my vote

starting the show in earLy 2008 means he/she won't have a prayer at winning.

[Ian David]

2. This can only end badly. They may as well call this, "The Spoiler." n/t

[Javaman]

3. This strikes me as the culmination of all things wrong with

TV and our political system.

this is what democracy has been come.

the pushing of the political spectrum to infotainment. faux news has done it, why not with our political system as well...

Sigh. I get so tired of living in an alternative universe.

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. Previous attempts in other countries

"The People's Candidate", Argentina, 2002 (I don't know how that turned out)

"Vote For Me", UK, 2005 (candidate came 7th out of 9, standing against the Tory party leader)

[Frances]

5. I think that some GOPer read that young voters prefer

Dems over the Repubs by about 30 percentage points. They hope to siphon off some of those young voters to a new Nader. Just my guess.

[northzax]

6. this is just ridiculous

we already have a reality show in our election process, the people go on the teevee and tell us to vote for them, then we do. what's the point of making a reaility show out of something that is already real?