Casting candidates for reality TV close-up

CainTrumpCredit Republican strategist Steve Schmidt using the idea. Talking about Herman Cain's declining candidacy on MSNBC -- prior to the "Cain train" formally screeched to some halt -- he recommended the presidential hopeful's next logical destination was "Dwts.InchJust one current GOP contender can ultimately land the party's nomination, and several will without doubt retreat towards the customary holding pen for conservative political figures, segueing straight into compensated speaking-mind gigs on Fox News Funnel.Why goal so low? As two disgraced former pols, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay and Illinois Gov. Fishing rod Blagojevich, shown using their particular stints on "Dancing" and "Celebrity Apprentice," and Sarah Palin demonstrated together with her TLC show, unscripted TV's appetite for that famous and well known is becoming nearly endless.Considering the fact that, it's only a matter of connecting up "talent" using the series or network that meets them.However unseemly this may appear -- especially to political veterans -- many of these candidates aren't really campaigning to guide the free world. They are who audition for a variety of media options which have skyrocketed since Bill Clinton performed the saxophone on Arsenio Hall's show.Plus, the spectacle of Jesse Trump teasing having a presidential run before selecting to carry on together with his NBC show, "The Apprentice" -- only after insisting he could win the nomination had he searched for it -- has further blurred the lines. Toss in plans for Trump to moderate an approaching debate, and also the GOP primaries have formally moved into "The Onion should be penning thisInch phase. (For their credit, candidates Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman stated enough's enough -- and today Mitt Romney has introduced younger crowd will not attend -- but individuals deriding the Trump publicity stunt seem shocked, shocked to uncover entertainment has broken the race.)According to Newt Gingrich's recent critique of child-labor laws and regulations, CBS (or maybe not them, Cartoon Network) must restore the questionable series "Kid Nation" with Gingrich as host, attempting to train children the need for doing jobs normally connected with grown ups.For the relaxation from the area, Huntsman and Ron Santorum -- who've barely registered within the polls -- appear ideal for a revival of "What's My Line?" or CBS' celebrity look-alike special offers "I Recieve That Many.InchLastly, oddsmakers still think Romney remains probably to secure the nomination, but when for whatever reason he does not, here is a guy who's right now well-known, with solid business qualifications along with a frequently-recommended locks.So be careful about your back, Jesse. If you persist in mouthing off about NBC, the network might just come with an alternative candidate to host "The Apprentice" -Body familiar with being cast because the second choice.When it comes to political-TV matchmaking, programs like "DwtsInch and "Celebrity Apprentice" -- which their strong preference for attention-getting casting -- are almost too easy. The actual creativeness is available in placing the GOP hopefuls in appropriate venues beyond reality TV's usual suspects. (Mike Huckabee and Nj Gov. Chris Christie did not run, for instance, but given their struggles with weight, could be naturals for "The Greatest Loser.")Texas Gov. Ron Perry, together with his poor debate performances, would likely make heads turn like a contestant on "Are You Currently Wiser Than the usual Fifth Grader?," playing for that charitable organisation -- or wealthy political contributor -- of his choice.Cain doesn't have shortage of options, and the reputed business acumen would lead him toward Trump's showcase. Still, according to his recent travails and questions regarding his reliability, an encore version of Fox's lie-detector show "As Soon As of Truth" sounds much more promising.Ron Paul, meanwhile, may be the latest cranky some guy to enliven "Survivor," where his belief in libertarian values and rugged individualism could readily be offer the exam.Even though she'll stay in Congress despite a unsuccessful presidential bid, Bachmann Wanted and husband Marcus could be ideal candidates for "Celebrity Wife Swap" -- pair them track of a liberal couple, or perhaps a gay one -- in addition to their own series. Getting elevated 23 promote children additionally to 5 that belongs to them, it's possible to see TLC getting everybody together for "Michele & Marcus Plus 28" -- an everybody-under-one-roof exercise, or perhaps a fun-loving elimination game. Contact John Lowry at john.lowry@variety.com