Ma’an reports on the conclusion of a new palestinian reality show: The President.
The final episode of the Palestinian reality show The President will air live Thursday on Ma’an satellite TV to announce the next Palestinian “president.”
Out of 1,200 young competitors who joined the program since its March launch, two finalists will compete for the title in the last episode.
Over three months, The President has attracted a large following even though its contestants have not been trying to prove to the audience and to the judges that they are good dancers or singers.
Some have interpreted the success of the show as a reflection that the Palestinian people want to vote; they only had a chance to go to polls to elect a president twice. The first time was in 1996 when late president Yasser Arafat was elected, and the second was in 2005, when the Palestinians chose Mahmoud Abbas.
Arafat remained in office until he died in 2004, and Abbas, 78, is still in office.
Palestinian officials, faction leaders, and civil society dignitaries will attend the last episode which will start at 8:30 p.m. All 25 finalists who made it to the fourth stage of the competition will also be present.
The two finalists — Hussein al-Deik from the Ramallah area and Bahaa al-Khateib from Salfit, will be given a chance to deliver speeches and to join public debates like in real elections.
Two popular Palestinian singers will also perform during the show.
The panel of judges, who took part in the selection process and asked the competitors about a range of topics, will also be present. But this time only votes from the public via text message will determine who will be “elected.”
It looks like this show become even more relevant in recent weeks, although the winner does not actually become President. Rather, he or she get to travel the world as a mock Palestinian ambassador, as well as receive a car.
Here is a Sky News report on this show. Pay close attention to the judges shown from 1:15 onwards.
The bald one shown is Ahmad Tibi.
Knesset member Ahmad Tibi.
Which gives me an idea for a new reality show: Biggest Traitor.
Competitors including Tibi, Haneen Zoabi, and Ibrahim Sarsur compete to be the Biggest Traitor of the state of Israel. First prize – no, all prizes – are a no-expenses-paid trip out of Israel.
One-way.
