Reality TV

I had this idea for a reality TV show: "Who Wants to be an Ironman?" (The name would have to be changed; I think there was a show with a similar name recently.) Why Ironman? There are harder events (ultras) and more mainstream events (marathons). Ironman racing seems to be the perfect combination of the two -- marathons may be too common to draw an audience, and ultras may be too fringe. Frankly, the show would unabashedly free-ride off of the investment by Ironman Corp. in a sexy brand.

Here's the idea:

Find 5-10 participants, from diverse backgrounds and with diverse expectations of success. Some would be true neophytes, who might or might not be able to accomplish the goal of finishing a full iron-distance triathlon. Some would be competitors, who have a shot at qualifying for the IM World Championships in Kona. Some would be selected just for their good looks or interesting life stories.

Find a coach to put together individualized programs for the participants, with enough overlap that you can overlap for at least one workout per week and preparatory races.

Film workouts, post-workout gatherings at a bar (or to perpetuate the Ironman myth -- and it is a myth -- smoothie stands).

Coach would "certify" participants for each intermediate race, so we might see attrition if Joe or Sally is not sufficiently prepared for the group marathon; group olympic-distance triathlon; group 1/2 iron; group century ride.

There would be some combination of crabbing about the other participants -- "I can't believe he couldn't get himself to bed on time to keep up with the group today. I'm not sure Andre is committed to the program" -- and mutual support -- "I didn't think Sharon was going to make it, but she's become an amazing athlete!" There might be love interest as some of the participants are seen sharing rides to early morning workouts. There would be plenty of opportunity for fit people to wear tight clothes and sweat in front of a national audience (which, the more I think about it, is precisely what Ironman Corp. is selling anyway -- Baywatch for adults).

And there would be drama. The top contenders would race each other across the line, hopefully one of them qualifying for Kona and another not. The middle-of-the-pack crowd would either improve or not. The neophytes would either finish, dropping to their knees and proclaiming that their lives were changed, or not, crying as they are removed from the course suffering from exhaustion or having missed one of the time cut-offs.

I think it would sell. So much so that I talked to a television producer, who agreed. He agreed so much that, he explained, he was currently planning to produce just such a show starting this October. I think it will be on the Discovery Channel. And my days as a television creative consultant are now concluded.