MySpace, Burnett to launch political reality show

By Kenneth Li

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Up next: "American Idol" meets "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington."

Mark Burnett, the producer who popularized reality television, and Internet social network MySpace will unveil a new reality TV and Internet series that aims to groom one young politician or community leader to represent young America.

Politicians globally have put videos online and designed Web pages on MySpace and the YouTube video service, MySpace's new program, "Independent," has a similar objective: to engage young U.S. citizens -- in reverse.

To do this, "Independent" will let viewers decide the fate of contestants who submit audition videos on MySpace.

The program, expected to launch in early 2008, may be a way to spark interest in the political process among young adults, executives involved with the project said.

"'Independent' represents a giant leap in the re-democratization of American politics," said Chris DeWolfe, chief executive of News Corp.'s MySpace unit.

The project is a new twist on an old idea.

"American Candidate," created by filmmaker R.J. Cutler and hosted by Montel Williams, ran on the Showtime pay cable TV network in 2004. It featured 10 candidates of various political views and backgrounds who faced off in a series of challenges to find the one most qualified to run for president. One contestant was voted off the show each week.