“The Activist” Is No Longer A Reality Competition Show, But A Documentary Special

CBS finally realized that their idea for a Shark Tank-style competition show for humanitarians was a shitty one. I’m shocked. If only there was a charity out there that could help me with the rehabilitation needed to recover from this news. But I’ll have to wait to see if any such charity is mentioned in the upcoming documentary The Activist: This Was A Terrible Idea For A Reality Show.

One week ago, the internet turned into a non-stop dunk fest after CBS announced a five-week reality series called The Activist, starring judges Usher, Julianne Hough, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, in which six humanitarian hopefuls would compete in head-to-head challenges to see which one was the most deserving of a trip to the G20 summit. It sounded exactly like Instagram Black Square Day: The Series and almost no one was interested in it. Especially since it was being judged by three celebrities who have a combined net worth of approximately $260 million, and airing on a network that made $25.29 billion in 2020.

Julianne Hough heard everyone’s criticism of the show and addressed the situation, saying she was “deeply listening” to the accusations that this show was “performative“. She also claimed she would talk to the powers-that-be about the backlash. And it looks like organizations behind the show, CBS and Global Citizen, have finally realized that there’s no way The Activist could escape its guaranteed fate as a PR nightmare, and they’ve made changes. via Deadline:

CBS’ previously announced competition series The Activist is shifting its format to documentary special amid criticism of the contest element, producers Global Citizen and Live Nation revealed on Wednesday.

“The Activist was designed to show a wide audience the passion, long hours, and ingenuity that activists put into changing the world, hopefully inspiring others to do the same,” a message posted by the organizations read.

“However, it has become apparent the format of the show as announced distracts from the vital work these incredible activists do in their communities every day. The push for global change is not a competition and requires a global effort.”

Global Citizen adds that they’re eliminating the competition format and reimagined it as a primetime documentary special that will focus on the tireless work of six activists who will all get a cash grant for their specific area of humanitarianism. It will air at a later date that has yet to be determined. They also apologized to everyone for “getting it wrong.” No word on whether the judges, Usher, Julianne, and Priyanka, will still be involved in any capacity.

A message from Global Citizen on "The Activist." pic.twitter.com/CSODAwiIdR

— Global Citizen (@GlblCtzn) September 15, 2021

Do I think this documentary special will ever air on CBS? Um…let’s just say that once CBS and Global Citizen realize that the only thing more boring than writing non-profit grant applications is to watch people write non-profit grant applications, this will be unceremoniously dumped onto CBS All Access. But CBS is probably very glad to be rid of all the bad press surrounding The Activist. Now the only time they have to face accusations of one of their shows being tone deaf is whenever they let James Corden sing karaoke in his car.

Pics: Wenn.com/FayesVision