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The Washington Post, one of many newspapers that has been losing subscribers and revenues for years, announced this week a contest to select "America's Next Great Pundit." Entrants first submit short opinion essays. Then, ten "Challenge Participants", will be chosen by Post editors from the original entries, to compete in the Challenge portion of the contest. There will be a series of Challenge rounds in late October and early November. The would-be op-ed pundit will have to submit writings, speak on videos, and interact with an audience. The public will cast votes and the ten challengers will be whittled down and eventually one will be selected based on reader votes, reader comments, and/or input from a panel of judges.The winner will be "set on a path to become the next byline in demand, the talking head every show wants to book, the voice that helps the country figure out what's really going on," according to the understated Post press announcement.
Combining all the shtick of "American Idol." "Survivor," "The Apprentice," and any other reality tv series you care to name, the Post has clearly announced that it is not above wallowing in mud to try and make itself popular or heard once again.
Then again, why shouldn't the public select the voice that helps us figure out what's going on? Could we possibly do any worse than Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck, or the legion of conservative bozos who have been thrust into our laps?
The pundit will presumably have to be able to write. That may not be a problem since evidently the contestants will largely be judged upon things that have nothing to do with writing, like making videos and interacting with an audience, but perhaps the initial editor screening could account for that. Maybe it's not too late to allow entrants to submit YouTube videos in lieu of writings.
What is lost by allowing the common man to pick his voice? Maybe nothing. Maybe it only seems unseemly for the newspaper that brought down Nixon and the Watergate burglars to end up pandering to our basest selves.
But, as our descendants reflect upon the decay and inevitable downfall of American civilization, is it inconceivable to suggest that vox populi events like "America's Next Great Pundit," sponsored by formerly reputable journalistic sources, might not be watershed-type events- the boob tube presaging boob news?
I will however admit to some jealousy. My non-resident status (living in France and about to move to China) disqualifies me from entering the contest. Oh, well. I'm probably too old and fat to pass my De Mille screening anyway.
