Do Reality TV and politics mix?
According to our poll that closed December 19, 2016, 67 percent of readers would watch and 33 percent would not care to watch a councilman consider and prepare to challenge a mayor of a major city in the next election. Or, at least not this potential challenge to 2016 news maker New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Left/Right, the New York-based company behind Showtime’s political documentary series “The Circus,” is about to produce a sizzle reel about Eric Ulrich, a New York city councilman considering a 2017 bid against de Blasio.
Ulrich’s work at City Hall as a second-term Republican councilman who represents southern Queens, his aspirations to become the mayor of New York City and his daily life will be compiled into a 5-minute reel by January and shopped to networks.
Councilman Ulrich sought permission from New York City’s Conflicts of Interest Board to ensure that he would not violate city rules with the project. They approved, as long as he will not be paid and agrees not to disclose confidential information.
I think that hopefully my experience and this show will be an eye-opener for other Republicans around the country,” said Ulrich, noting that he was not concerned how a reality show might affect his possible candidacy.
If the show is picked up -- which producers said they anticipate it will be -- Ulrich’s decision to run against New York’s mayor in the upcoming election could be televised by the Spring.
