Has U.S. Conference of Mayors Launched a New Fox Summer Replacement: American Idol for Mayors?

Picture by Rodger Caldwell

At his award ceremony at the US Conference of Mayors in LA on June 24, Randy Jackson discussed on stage with Mayor Mufi Hannemann of Hawaii the development of a new reality show, American Idol, Mayors Edition. Jackson, one of the key judges of the astoundingly popular American Idol, got a thumbs up from the attendees, as the idea was rewarded with roaring applause by the hundreds of mayors and related officials in the audience. It is well known that more Americans voted online for American Idol competitions than voted in the Presidential election. The idea is claimed to be to get Americans accustomed to voting for government officials in an entertainment context, which it is hoped will translate to more voters transferring that habit to voting for government officials in actual elections.

But it is said the true motive is quite different. Fox has been very vocal in trying to capture some of the “newsertainment” audience that has built the wild success of “The Daily Show with John Stewart”, news parody on Comedy Central. Fox’s first attempt in this area is struggling with meager viewership at best, their copy-cat, “Half Hour News Hour”. Sources have revealed that Fox is rumored to be hoping to leverage the unprecedented success of American Idol, combined with the political draw of Mayors to find their nitch in this area. If it is a success, it is hinted they are considering Governors, and adding Presidential candidates in time for the 2008 election.

Mayor Hannemann is known for his singing abilities in Hawaii, so is a perfect kick off contestant. The series will purportedly not be limited to singing, but will have dancing competitions too in the vein of "So You Think You Can Dance". Pictured is Mayor Villaraigosa on Saturday at the convention, at a rumoured pitch meeting for the project, demonstrating how he is qualified to play to win.

With Arnold Schwarzenegger (who also presented at the convention) as California Governor, and Al Gore winning an Academy Award, this was inevitable.