Reality TV shows have been used to pick out the next singing sensations, models, and even Coyote Ugly bartenders. Now MySpace wants to use the medium to pick who we’ll put in office. The company announced Wednesday that it will partner with Mark Burnett Productions to produce INDEPENDENT, a reality TV show that will test participants’ political chops using input from online communities.
The winner will receive one million dollars that he or she is obligated to use in a political fashion. The winning contestant could donate it all to a cause, form a third political party, or even use it to support his or her own presidential bid.
The MySpace Web site will play an integral role in the show’s audience participation. Candidates will submit themselves via MySpace Video and create MySpace Impact profiles if they make it on to the show. Issues and challenges for the candidates will also be chosen directly by the online community.
According to a press release, the contestants on INDEPENDENT will be out in the public each day, interacting with supporters, protestors, activists, and everyone in-between. Tthey will receive feedback from both MySpace communities and the viewing public.
"MySpace puts political power back in the hands of everyday people and INDEPENDENT takes it to a whole new level," said Tom Anderson, president and co-founder of MySpace, in a release.
The show is expected to air in early 2008.
