Is it possible to make the 2016 more interesting? This election, we may have two candidates who have been stars of reality television.
Michael Wilson of Lionshound Productions could alter the election with his new reality TV series, The Write-In. The concept is similar to American Idol, except it’s far more consequential. As the show’s title suggest, the concept is to select write-in candidate from among 20 candidates, 10 men and 10 women.
Candidates will have to pass a 1980s citizenship test to be eligible, in addition to meeting constitutional requirements. Wilson also told The Hill candidates “have to understand the basics.” They also “have to be incredibly charismatic.”
The show’s website has an application as well as essay guidelines for those who wish to compete to be a candidate for President of the United States.
Brad Keena is Lionhound’s vice president and communications director, and also was once a spokesperson for Reps. Steve Largent (R-Okla.) and Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.). He sees the show as “an idea to court citizen candidates from all around the country.”
The show is further described as:
Wilson, whose background includes independent projects, envisions a biweekly show that will include music and political comedy bits.
“Then we’ll go from the humor to the very serious aspect of picking the president of the United States,” he says.
The proposed season finale is Labor Day, which will be after both the Republican and Democratic conventions. A winner will be announced, who can select one of the other two finalists as a running mate.
How did this idea come out? “Number one” was “tremendous frustration… with the political process.” There’s also the issue of “incredibly low voter turnout.”
As Wilson explains:
He doesn’t seem to think then that the political system could be denigrated any further with the idea of a reality television show.
American Idol was one thing, but The Write-In, whether intended or not, truly makes this upcoming an election something of a free for all.
An ad released for the show back in January is available on YouTube and can be watched below.
