Word: formatively
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Just when you thought reality TV couldn't sink any lower, on May 17 the WB will launch a show that takes a diabolical spin on American Idol. Created by Mike Fleiss (The Bachelor), Superstar USA duplicates Idol's format, down to the three-judge panel--this one includes rapper Tone-Loc, has-been pop star Vitamin C and snappish TV producer Chris Briggs--but judges kick the able singers off while promoting the earnestly talentless, off-key William Hung types. None of the contestants are clued in to the hoax until the end. "What's extraordinary...
...concert was far from pedestrian in format, as differing combinations of the same talented musicians flew on and off the stage, with hardly a pause between songs. The crowd of collegiate-looking fans, with an unusually high number of females for a hip-hop show, brought an air of excitement to the Avalon that, combined with the fervor of the Yankees-Sox game across the street at Fenway Park, made Lansdowne Street course with energy...
...part because of the candidates’ discomfort-—the American people have had to sit by as debates get increasingly dumbed-down. Gradually voters have lost the valuable discourse debates once provided, and have gotten in its place rehearsed stump speeches in a slightly different format...
...Before 1988 the rules of the debates were hashed out by the non-partisan sponsor with only limited input from the major parties. Now the major parties draft what are called the “memoranda of understanding,” secret documents that set out the rules and format of the debates. The two major parties create this document in negotiations without the CPD present, meaning that no non-partisan group is able to contribute to the ultimate format and rules of the debate...
...result: debates controlled by the two major parties. They can avoid issues that are considered too dangerous, manipulate the format to protect candidates and exclude viable third-party candidates from participating, all while under the auspices...