This show concept from CBS sounds like something out of an early George Carlin comedy bit:
Welcome to Divorce Game, brought to you by National Van Lines! Yes sir! If you’re breaking up a home, let National break it up for you!
“The Activist’ has to be most tasteless game-show concept since George Carlin’s “Divorce Game.” Carlin’s was satire. CBS was serious. No, really:
A series that was set to pit activists against each other in pursuit of funding for their causes will instead be a documentary after social media backlash forced the show’s creators to admit that they “got it wrong.”
Global Citizen, the anti-poverty charity and organizer of global fundraiser concerts, co-produced the show.
The initial concept was a five-week reality show that would chronicle six activists facing off in challenges. Their success would be measured in metrics including performance on social media.
The format was immediately met with criticism for both the idea and the judges attached. Cristina Jiménez, cofounder of United We Dream, a youth-led advocacy group for immigrant children, described the show as a “mockery” of the work activists do.
“This is sickening. Are we in the hunger games? Individuals on this panel are questionable. Lol Priyanka Chopra supporting activism?” wrote one person online.
As first reported in Variety, the show will now be a primetime documentary special highlighting the work of six activists and their causes, and all the activists will receive a cash grant.
Whoever greenlit this project at CBS has already updated her/his resume.
Variety has more:
Global Citizen released its own separate statement that included an apology. “Global activism centers on collaboration and cooperation, not competition. We apologize to the activists, hosts, and the larger activist community — we got it wrong,” the philanthropic org said. “It is our responsibility to use this platform in the most effective way to realize change and elevate the incredible activists dedicating their lives to progress all around the world.”
Vulture recounts how the show pitched itself to climate activist Clover Hogan, executive director of Force of Nature, as one that “would bring together activists to collaborate and promote their causes.” Then, as the conversation wound on, it became clear that “the show would set the activists against each other in pursuit of funding.”
Hogan reflects:
There are going to be examples, time and time again, of corporations or private interests trying to commodify, trying to exploit. It’s great that we experience those heated feelings in response, but we need to learn how to channel them into action. Hold these companies and interests accountable. Call them out. The conversation starts with this, but it shouldn’t end with it. Our final goal shouldn’t just be to cancel a TV show. It should be much bigger commentary around what’s not right with the entertainment industry. Why activism is so under-resourced. I’d love for this to be that catalyst.
If corporations are persons, they have no souls. But you knew that. I spent nearly half a century working in and for them. Wouldn’t trust them farther than I can throw them. CBS, I get….
Caveat employee.