Also, Trebek got his start on CBC hosting the Reach for the Top game show, so this isn't really a stretch.

It doesn't trivialize the role of Prime Minister. Canadians have never had this "its our leader, lets respect them" attitude that American Presidents get. I know several people in the Canadian military who actually walked off their ship rather than shake the Prime Minister's hand. The PM isn't our head of state, and we don't vote for him (technically), this makes him much more "human" compared to the president, who acts as the "figurehead" of the U.S. as well as its leader. I suspect this distinction could be made in most countries with Westminster parliaments (Britain) as opposed to presidencies.

Another thing which affects the way we view the PM is the fact that he sits in the legislative body with the other MPs, meaning that we get to see him regularly make an ass of himself during question period.

Ignatieff, the current liberal leader, wishes we saw PMs the same way America sees its Presidents (probably only Trudeau ever accomplished that.)

My friend was on this show two years ago I believe it was. He came in second place and was awarded an internship. He loved doing the show and found it to be a fantastic opportunity. It's a great show, and if you have any interest in Canadian politics at all (i'd be surprised if you did!) it's worth watching.

Way to shoehorn that "update" in there to make it look like that's what you meant all along, you just forgot to say it.

Prime ministers don't "run" for office. Canadian politics is different from the US, instead of voting for a President, Senator, Representative, etc., Canadians vote for MP's, or members of parliament. There are a bunch of parties in Canada - Conservative, Liberal, NDP, etc., and whichever party wins the most seats in Parliament then has their party leader assume the Prime Minister role.

Furthermore, the role of Prime Minister is not very similar to that of the President. The PM has very limited powers, and most powers belong to Parliament.

Maybe do some research on the Canadian electoral system before making a post. Or, as others have stated above, actually figure out what the show is really about.

It would be AMAZING if they had Gerald Ford,

Considering, oh, he passed 2 years ago.

All you had to do was go to the website (http://www.cbc.ca/nextprimeminister/about.html) and click on About the Show to realize that this is not what you are making it out to be. I'll make it easy for you:

"What started as a written essay contest in 1995 by Magna International Inc. has become a nationally televised program on CBC Television and the largest online political debate in Canada.

Canada's Next Great Prime Minister is the competition of a lifetime. Young Canadians have the ears and eyes of the nation listening to their thoughts about what would make our country even better.

The competition begins online. Young Canadians aged 18-25 are invited to apply for the show and campaign to be a finalist. Through debate and challenges, the candidates are narrowed down to four who appear on CBC Television, where they engage in a heated debate on the issues facing Canada today. The audience votes and the winner receives $50,000 and a paid internship at Magna International, The Dominion Institute and the Canada-US Fulbright program. Second, third and fourth place winners also receive cash and internship prizes.

The show airs once a year on CBC Television."

As someone said above, it's all about potential in young people.

This reality TV circus got way out of hand; I do/did enjoy a few reality shows including Queer Eye, Project Runway, Top Chef, but I would really happily go back to a world without.

Can't wait for the swimsuit competition!

If they get Ford on the American version I'll watch for sure.