New From FOX: Appointed By America

“New FOX Reality Show To
Determine Ruler of Iraq

LOS ANGELES—Fox executives Monday unveiled their latest reality-TV venture, Appointed By America, a new series in which contestants vie for the top spot in Iraq's post-war government.



"Get ready, America, because you're about to choose the man—or woman—who will lead Iraq into an exciting democratic future," said Fox reality-programming chief Mike Darnell, introducing the show at a press conference. "Will it be Ahmed Chalabi, leader of the exiled Iraqi National Congress? Or General Tommy Franks, commander of the allied forces? Or maybe Roshumba Williams, the Macon, GA, waitress with big dreams and an even bigger voice? Tune in Tuesdays at 9 to see."

Describing the new show as "American Idol meets the reconstruction of Afghanistan," Darnell said Appointed By America will feature contestants squaring off in a variety of challenges, including a democracy quiz, a talent competition, and nation-building activities that will demonstrate their ability to lead a bombed-out, war-ravaged Mideast country.

A panel of celebrity judges will help eliminate two contestants each week, leaving one lucky winner the undisputed leader of Iraq at the end of the season. Viewers can participate by casting phone-in votes, although Darnell noted that voting is restricted to calls originating from within the continental U.S.

U.S. General Jay Garner (Ret.) will host the show under the auspices of the Pentagon. The three celebrity judges, Darnell said, will be choreographer and former Chrysalis recording artist Toni Basil, internationally renowned hairstylist Vidal Sassoon, and television star Kevin Sorbo.

"They really get into it," Darnell said. "Just wait until you see the fur fly between Sassoon and Basil."

Fox entertainment president Gail Berman said the network was inspired to create the show after witnessing its news division's ratings success over the past few months.

"Fox did such huge numbers with its war coverage, we figured, 'Why not find a way to keep this good thing going?'" Berman said. "I'm confident that our loyal Fox News viewers will find that reconstruction can be just as thrilling as destruction."

The first episode has already been taped in front of a live studio audience, though results will remain classified until airtime. The winner of Appointed By America will be sworn in as president of Iraq on June 24 in a gala two-hour season finale broadcast live from Baghdad.

According to Berman, Fox received more than 3,000 applicants for the show during an open casting call. While most of the hopefuls were American or Iraqi, some 600 aspiring rulers from more than 100 nations auditioned for the coveted 20 finalist spots. Contestants included a San Diego interior decorator, a Philadelphia inner-city schoolteacher, and a peshmerga fighter from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.

Contestant Kymbyrley Lake, a cashier from Garland, TX, said she has a "good feeling" about her chances.

"I just really believe I am going to win this show," Lake said. "I feel it in my heart that Jesus is going to grant me the chance to help all these people. Ever since I was a little girl, I've dreamed of doing something to help bring about a more peaceful world."

Lake just might get her chance. Inside sources say she was among the top five vote-getters in the first episode, with Kurdistan Democratic Party official Fawzi Hariri and pre-Saddam Iraqi minister Adnan al-Pachachi—both early odds-on favorites—scoring low points for stage presence.

At a Pentagon briefing Monday, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz gave his blessing to Appointed By America.

"It is great that Fox will play a vital role in post-war Iraq," Wolfowitz said. "Heck, we didn't really know what we were going to do."

The Onion (of course)”

“One of your better cut and paste jobs. More realistic and more useful than your norm. LOL!”

“Who needs Saddam to kill Iraqi citizens when Bush is even worse? Are Iraqis really better off under Bush?
Nope.

FALLUJAH, Iraq (CNN) -- At least 12 people were killed and up to 50 were wounded in a shootout between civilians and members of the U.S. military, said residents of an Iraqi town 40 miles west of Baghdad.

The shooting in Fallujah broke out around 10 p.m. Monday (2 p.m. EDT), as demonstrators approached members of the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division -- based at a school -- and demanded that they leave, according to a telecommunications engineer.”

“As I was reading this I had the image of a woman ruling Iraq. That would be interesting. The fundamentalists would love that wouldn't they?”

“And the winner is....ohmigod I'm so nervous.......TAMMY FALAYLA FROM BROOKLYN NY!!!!”

“
News Hounds
"We watch FOX so you don't have to."

You may still lose your lunch.

”

“Watching that crap it's no wonder you guys are nuts.”

“Must not take much.”

“GIGO”

“He must wear his stripes on the other shoulder.”

“FOX AMERICA'S #1 TV NETWORK FOR SEASON...

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D90RAN300&show_article=1”

“... based on strong "Idol" season.

That's how you rate TV news shows? "American Idol?"

That explains a lot.”

“That's how you rate TV news shows?

????????”

“I didn't see the reference to news.... I saw a reference to overall viewing patterns.”

“Yes, this is why the Fox network rules! Great shows topped by the greatest news on the planet.”

““... based on strong "Idol" season.

That's how you rate TV news shows? "American Idol?"

That explains a lot.”
Geobeet
1:26:24 PM
5/23/08

FOX Network isn't the same as FOX News.
Seems like an Editor should know that.
*snicker*”

“WK, if you ever get up this way, bring me some of that stuff you're smoking:)”

“I only watch CBS because I want to hear the truth. ,,,snicker,,,”

“according to the article that makes creek dancer _OLD_.”

““WK, if you ever get up this way, bring me some of that stuff you're smoking:)”
Nimblefoot
11:45:38 AM
5/23/08

I got it from someone in NY.”

“Editors don't see any difference between Fox News and Fox Network. It's all one and the same.

*snicker*”

“It's all one and the same.

Crap shoveling programming any way you look at it :)”

““Editors don't see any difference between Fox News and Fox Network. It's all one and the same.

*snicker*”
Geobeet
2:14:59 PM

Tisk, tisk. Ignorance can be cured, Geo.


For Geo's education:

Broadcast television

In 1986 the Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX) launched a challenge to the big three networks, ABC, CBS, and NBC.
Thanks largely to the success of shows like The Simpsons, Fox has established itself as a major player in broadcast television.
However, FOX differs from the three older networks in that it does not air a nightly news program.


Cable television

The CABLE CHANNEL FOX News Channel shows news programming.”