Politics, X-Factor Style

[LazyGun]

Watching BBC Breakfast today, they showed a clip from interview with Simon Cowell, to be broadcast on Newsnight tonight, about his future plans.
Apparently, his next big project is a political show in the run up to the next General Election.
Format only briefly touched on, but would be a "hot" political issue, such as our military engagement in Afghanistan for example, experts presenting for and against, public phone ins, and a red "hotline" to Number 10.
So - Good idea or Naff?
True Democracy or populist garbage?
Something you would watch, or is this a letter of the alphabet too far?

[Gromit]

It is unlikely that anything so covertly political would be allowed in the run up to the General Election. The y have even postponed the next series of 'The Apprentice' because Alan Sugar is a Labour Luvvie.

The general voter apathy in this country is a problem. Part of the problem is that politics is so badly presented on our media. television is reasonably objective, but is presented in a very dull way, so Cowell could have a role in explaining things in a simpler, more popularist way. Our newspaper media is heavy biased one way or the other, and tend to preach to their readers rather than explain truthfully the issues.

The political parties will try to use the new media, internet and texting to reach the youth,but my guess is they will fail because they are very conservative institutions. Obama managed to do that in the States, but we lack the same vision.

If Cowell is able to pull something off without it being crass, then best of luck to him.

[Gromit]

I think I meant 'overtly political' not covertly. Not well, got man flu.

[Oneeyedvic]

Don't forget the Apprentice is shown on BBC - and that has certain guidelines that the other broadcasters do not have.

My first reaction (and I saw the same thing this morning) was one of horror - is this going to be too basic. It is impossible to answer why we are in Afghanistan in a half hour program (with adverts and telephone votes).

With Europe, it may be very simple to say "lets come out", but are they really going to explain the implications - not just in terms of the Lisbon treaty, but in terms of the economy (especially if we were to lose long term trading partners).

However, I must confess that I would actually enjoy more people participating in political debate - and this MAY lead more people to question politicians and be more engaged. Politicians know that they do not have to do much to younger audiences as they do not vote - this may well change their minds.

The danger is that Cowell is not independent and this could be a very slanted show. If there was a law about to be passed through parliament saying that television companies could not make money out of telephone votes since it is the poorer parts of society that vote the most and can least afford it, do you think Cowell would be impartial?

[Ankou]

there is money to be made on any show format tyhat requires people to phone in or text to vote. ther are them that are happy to text chris moyles 10 times each morning just to say 'ooh yes please' or 'no chance' etc at his request, or them 10 million that voted for x factor.

there are also them that are apathetic towards the con so they won;t partake i suspect.

any show that attracts a politically interested audience is unlikely to include your average x factor/jungle voters to the fore. is it ?

[rojash]

If they have a phone in section, I'd hate to think what AOG's phone bill's gonna be like!

[LazyGun]

Initiatives that combat political apathy are to be welcomed, I suppose.Like OEV though, I would have concerns over the format, content, and quality of covering the issues. More discussion on BBC2 Newsnight tonight.
Somehow, I can't quite see 20 million people tuning in for the "P-Factor" or whatever he plans to call it though! :)