So right. I don't even know how to tell ya'll this but I think the TV networks are being run by an adding machine. Or perhaps someone's nephew who is a tarot card reader and is making decisions on the fall lineup by tea leaves... er ... something...
I know there is a writer's strike and all but there really is no excuse for something this bad, insulting, and disgusting.
"Hollywood and Washington executives are pursuing an “American Idol”-like television show in which contestants would seek to persuade a celebrity panel that they should be the next president of the United States.
The winner of the nationwide contest would be announced after the Democratic and Republican conventions, and the show would encourage viewers to vote for its nominee as a write-in candidate next November."
Seriously, I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.
ok...
- This is based on that damn lie that young people don't care and don't vote
- This is probably a Republican ploy to give progressive voters another candidate to splinter the party
- This is probably a huge marketing ploy because 18-30 year olds are the highest purchasing demographic and a sinking demo for American Idol.
"If people didn’t find the electoral system in this country to be a joke already, television studios are determined to make sure they do in the future...... These people plan to expand the format of the show to include down-ticket races. One of the biggest problems with the race for the White House, Wilson said, is that the younger generation is not excited about it.
Ohhhhhhhhhh really...... Well, perhaps Mr. Wilson hasn't seen the steady climb in the last several elections in youth participation among voters....
Perhaps Mr. Wilson can check out the response over at Future Majority where many Millennial bloggers, politicos, and activists participated in a response... pay attention to the note:
"In a recent poll conducted by Celinda Lake, a respected pollster and strategist who looks at the numbers and trends rather than sitting in a room blaming young people for not voting, reported that over 58% of young people are paying close attention to the Presidential races (we might add that is more than the 53% of adults that are paying attention according to a Pew poll). This is an increase of 23 points from 2004. Eligible young voters will reach 50 million by the 2008 cycle and we are voting for Democrats overwhelmingly (56% Democratic to 36% Republican)."
I mean, OMG, Becky, this sounds like something out a bad Mandy Moore movie!!! Oh.... wait a second.... I'll be damn.
Does network tv honestly think that it is American YOUTH that has the attention span of a ferret and we need something shiny just to get out the vote? Is it network TV that thinks its YOUNG PEOPLE that don't take voting seriously? And this is their solution? Essentially making a mockery of the seriousness of the problems facing our country today? Do they honestly believe that WE don't already have enough of a concern about oh say Iraq, jobs, the economy, health care and more that the only way to be enticed into voting is by a stupid ass American Idol Wannabe Political BS Marathon???
Wait... is this a republican ploy to steal away young voters who always vote progressively to get them to vote for a write in candidate that will never ever ever in a million years win anything more than the realization that he or she just threw us into another 4 years of disastrous Republican rule!? Inquiring minds want to know, Mr. Wilson.
Perhaps this is motivated by the sinking numbers in the 18-49 age group for Idol.
After its 2007 season Fox posted a press release saying
"American Idol" Tuesday and Wednesday shows ended the 2006-07 series as the No. 1 and No. 2 programs on television in total viewers, adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54, teens and all key female demos."
What I continue to see here is a reluctance to group anyone 18-29 in this bunch and I'm wondering if the 18-25 age bracket isn't a strong viewership for them - and it goes up a little in the 25-29 bracket - but spikes at the over 30 (as I would assume given the number of over 30 people who watch Idol).
The point is, this is network TV trying to use the constant misconception that young people are stupid and don't care to make a buck off of Ax, the Apple iPhone, and any other youth oriented products all on the backs of our integrity.
Matt goes on to quote the article discussing potential hosts
"It’s not clear who will host the show if a network picks it up. Some names that have been floated include Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Cosby, Will Smith and conservative pundit Armstrong Williams, who is vice president of Two Harbors Productions."
I'm sorry who are these people? Are they friends of Mandy Moore too? I'm sorry I'm already changing the channel to watch 2 year old re-runs of Colbert and Jon Stewart....
As FM so eloquently finalizes
"Even better, if you really want to help us systematically change elections and increase the number of folks engaged in politics than put your money behind things like national same-day registration (which increases young voter participation by at least 12%), full public financing at all levels, independent non-partisan redistricting and Electoral College reform. We would dare say that not only would more young people vote, more people of all ages would vote. We even bet that more young people and regular folks would run for office as well so the halls of Congress can look more like America than the men's bathroom at a country club.
We don't need a reality show to find the next political version of Kelly Clarkson, we simply want politicians to pay attention to us and ask us for our vote."
Reposted at Everyday Citizen
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