MUMBAI: Later this year, Viacom's Showtime Networks will become the campaign headquarters for American Candidate. The unscripted 10 episode reality show will attempt to identify one individual who has the qualifications and qualities to be the US President.
The announcement was made by Showtime Networks entertainment president Robert Greenblatt following the recent Federal Election Commission's positive advisory opinion that the content of the show would not violate federal election laws.
The show's structure will mirror Fox's American Idol to a degree. 12 contestants from all walks of life will feature. Over the course of the next 10 weeks, those 12 will face-off against each other in a series of challenges designed to test their presidential mettle and to show viewers what really goes on in the making of a presidential candidate.
Gradually, the original pool of candidates will be narrowed down through audience participation and polling. The final episode will be a showdown between the remaining two candidates, and one person will emerge victorious. Greenblatt was quoted in a company release saying, "The ideas upon which this country was built -- that anyone can run for public office and each voice counts -- seem to be a thing of the past.
"This show, which is designed to find the ideal American Candidate from out of obscurity, will try to change all that. I think that the show will have amazing relevance to our country in a presidential election year -- and who knows, maybe our winner will actually decide to enter the race."
With involvement from bi-partisan advisors, this unique series is designed to find an unknown leader from the ranks of ordinary citizens who could catapult to national prominence and demonstrate that he or she possesses the leadership capabilities and talent to be President. Using grass-roots efforts and the power of television, the show's contestants will mirror the activities of the actual presidential candidates.
In addition, they will be put through the rigorous paces of anyone running for this office. They will engage in debates, hold political rallies, receive the advice of seasoned political strategists, create advertisements, select running mates, have their backgrounds scrutinised by the press and engage in opposition research.
