US TV
The next president could be decided by a new reality series, reports Variety.
"American Candidate" will follow the popular "American Idol" format in selecting a 'people's candidate' to run for president in 2004.
The two-year project will begin early next year with a judging panel selecting an initial 100 contestants (2 per state) from video applications.
The candidates will then take part in a series of debates and campaigns, which will eventually knock the number down to three for the final show. At least thirteen episodes will broadcast on FX, probably starting in January 2004.
"We think it's a marriage of a tried-and-true concept, as shown by `American Idol,' with a down-home political spin to it," said Peter Liguori, FX president. "We are a nation where, quote-unquote, anybody can become president, and this is a concept that gives everyday folks a forum to express their point of view and have people respond to it."
RJ Cutler will produce the show alongside Jay Roach.
"Maybe a young Abe Lincoln will emerge from this. Maybe also an old Abe Lincoln," Cutler said. "What we're looking for are people who share our conviction that America was designed to be a country where any little boy or girl ... could grow up to be president of the United States. That's what we believe is the essence of American Democracy."
"American Candidate" will follow the popular "American Idol" format in selecting a 'people's candidate' to run for president in 2004.
The two-year project will begin early next year with a judging panel selecting an initial 100 contestants (2 per state) from video applications.
The candidates will then take part in a series of debates and campaigns, which will eventually knock the number down to three for the final show. At least thirteen episodes will broadcast on FX, probably starting in January 2004.
"We think it's a marriage of a tried-and-true concept, as shown by `American Idol,' with a down-home political spin to it," said Peter Liguori, FX president. "We are a nation where, quote-unquote, anybody can become president, and this is a concept that gives everyday folks a forum to express their point of view and have people respond to it."
RJ Cutler will produce the show alongside Jay Roach.
"Maybe a young Abe Lincoln will emerge from this. Maybe also an old Abe Lincoln," Cutler said. "What we're looking for are people who share our conviction that America was designed to be a country where any little boy or girl ... could grow up to be president of the United States. That's what we believe is the essence of American Democracy."
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