Editor’s note: Dean Obeidallah, a former attorney, is the host of the daily show “The Dean Obeidallah Show” on SiriusXM Radio. threadThe opinions expressed in this commentary are his own. Further comments On CNN.
CNN
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Many of America’s biggest TV shows, like Shark Tank, Survivor, and even American Idol, are based on hit shows from overseas. I now have the next hit reality show America could import, and it’s perfect for the 2024 presidential election.
The show, a four-part series called “The Conclave,” has become a huge hit in Belgium, “enchanting” the public, as The New York Times put it. The series is billed as a political version of “The Bachelor,” but in reality it seems closer to MTV’s “The Real World.”
The TV show sees the leaders of Belgium’s seven biggest political parties, from the far right to the far left (including the current Prime Minister), agree to spend a weekend together in a castle. Over the course of four episodes, the politicians can be seen cooking, taking walks together in the forest, and of course debating political issues. There was also a confessional segment where the political leaders shared their innermost thoughts about politics with the viewers. The show aired ahead of the opening of voting in Belgium’s national elections, which took place on a Sunday that coincided with the European Union Parliamentary elections.
As The Conclave’s Dutch website explains, the premise behind the show was to “give voters an insight into[the candidates’]beliefs and policies.” And the show did just that. For example, when asked if he started a campfire, Tom van Grieken, leader of the far-right separatist party Vlaams Belang, joked, “Yes, with these ‘woke’ books that we want to ban.” As we all know, many truths are told in jest.
Belgium’s rising Vlaams Verandah, whose name means “interests of the Flemish people,” is known for its anti-immigration stance and views that one opposition politician in the Cote D’Ivoire has accused of “not respecting democracy.” Belgium’s largest party is expected to further strengthen its lead after Sunday’s vote. Indeed, far-right parties performed well in polls across Europe on Sunday, an ominous sign for left and center politics across the continent.
Amid the disagreements and reconciliation, the “conclave” also had its moments of real politics, such as when Bart de Wever, leader of the conservative Flemish nationalist party, declared that he would not partner with Van Grieken’s party even if it were to win enough seats to govern, explaining that “we cannot partner with people who do not respect democracy. I’m sorry, but this is very basic.”
The exchange seems significant given that Van Grieken’s party has performed well in the polls and that a coalition government with De Wever’s party would advance Van Grieken’s separatist agenda, which wants to create a new country separate from the more ethnically diverse, French-speaking, left-leaning southern Belgian region known as Wallonia.
After Sunday’s vote, Vlaams Belang is expected to become Belgium’s largest party, with around 26% of the Flemish-speaking vote. It’s impossible to know to what extent Belgians’ feelings about what they saw at the “conclave” influenced that result. But the more I think about it, the more I’m convinced that a U.S. version of the “conclave” could help American voters make up their minds ahead of November’s election for the White House.
First, a recent NBC News poll found that interest in this year’s presidential election is at its lowest in two decades, compared to the same time in past presidential election cycles. What better way to shake things up and pique public interest than for Biden and Trump to spend a weekend together, with TV cameras capturing nearly their every move?
Airtime could help both candidates, but frankly I think Biden has the advantage, despite Trump’s reality TV experience as host of “The Apprentice.” For Biden, it would be a great opportunity to finally put an end to the questions that have dogged him throughout the campaign about whether he’s too old to serve another term as president.
In one episode, Biden may go on his traditional bike ride, but rather than going it alone, he may challenge Trump to ride with him. The incumbent president could use the outing to outdo his Republican opponent on oft-questioned questions about his own physical fitness.
And while living under the same roof, Biden will be able to silence critics of his mental health. Biden and Trump will have countless opportunities for impromptu debates on substantive issues, all of which will be captured on camera. I predict the incumbent will win these matchups in a landslide victory.
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If Biden and Trump agreed to spend a weekend together in some sort of “conclave” to watch them socialize, cook together, and, of course, talk politics, Americans would tune in — perhaps in record numbers. It would be up to the candidates to best appeal to voters.
But would they agree to it? My guess is, Trump would, because he loves being on TV. He might even find a way to peddle Trump-related merchandise on the show, from a sneaker line to Trump-inspired “Victory 47” cologne to a Trump Bible.
But one scheduling issue could prevent Trump from attending: The presumptive Republican presidential nominee is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11 after a New York jury convicted him of 34 felony counts in a “hush money” case heard last month, meaning Trump could face a lengthy prison sentence or house arrest.
That would make the show impossible, unless Biden agreed to spend weekends filming at Mar-a-Lago if Trump was sentenced to house arrest. Biden would have to be prepared to spend weekends with Trump in prison if Trump received a tough sentence.
Talk about “must-watch TV.”
