Controversial CBS competition show set to be retooled into documentary
CBS will no longer pit activists against each other to see who cares the most.
After immense backlash, the network has scrapped plans for its five-week competition show, “The Activist,” and will instead pivot to a documentary series to “showcase the tireless work of six activists and the impact they have advocating for causes they deeply believe in,” CBS announced last 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,” CBS said
in a joint statement with producing partners Global Citizen and Live Nation.
“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.”
All six activists will be awarded a cash grant for the organization of their choice at the end of the show.
“The Activist” was initially announced in May, but didn’t garner much attention until last week when its judges were announced as Usher, Julianne Hough and Priyanka Chopra.
The backlash was swift, with celebrities, politicians and viewers criticizing the show for turning activism into a game.
In a lengthy response, Hough, a former “Dancing with the Stars” judge said she was “really excited to be a part of something that highlights, and is centered around sharing activists’ work on a larger platform.”