CBS reality series 'The Activist' to be 'reimagined' as documentary after taking heat for pitting activists against each other in 'dystopian' competition



Producers of a new reality TV show that planned to set activists against each other to fight for prize money have decided to "reimagine" the competition series as a documentary following intense backlash on social media.

Critics immediately denounced "The Activist," which was set to air on CBS starting Oct. 22, after the show's format was announced last week, slamming the series as a "dystopian" misrepresentation of the real goals and values of activism.

In a joint statement issued Thursday, CBS and production partners Global Citizen and Live Nation apologized to critics for the show's ill-advised messaging.

"Global activism centers on collaboration and cooperation, not competition. We apologize to the activists, hosts, and the larger activist community — we got it wrong," said Global Citizen, an international advocacy organization, in a preview to the joint statement.

Instead of airing a five-week series featuring six activists going head-to-head in challenges to promote their causes as originally planned, producers said the project will be converted into a documentary special showcasing the "tireless work" of the six activists without any competitive element.

A message from Global Citizen on "The Activist." https://t.co/CSODAwiIdR

— Global Citizen (@GlblCtzn) 1631750138.0

"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," read the joint statement. "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."

"As a result, we are changing the format to remove the competitive element and reimagining the concept into a primetime documentary special (air date to be announced)," the statement continued. "It will showcase the tireless work of six activists and the impact they have advocating for causes they deeply believe in. Each activist will be awarded a cash grant for the organization of their choice, as was planned for the original show."

It was not immediately clear what role the celebrity judges — Usher, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Julianne Hough — would play in the new project.

Hough, for one, issued a public apology amid the social media outrage, which she characterized as a "powerful demonstration of real-time activism."

"Thank you for using your voices, calling me in, your accountability, and your candor. I am deeply listening with an open heart and mind," the celebrity said in an Instagram post.

Julianne Hough apologizes for hosting 'The Activist' reality show that pits activists against each other for their causes



Entertainer Julianne Hough apologized via an Instagram post for hosting a reality show pitting activists against each other to compete for prize money supporting their social causes.

Hough said in the lengthy and emotional statement that the backlash against the show was itself an example of positive activism.

"The last few days have been a powerful demonstration of real-time activism," wrote Hough.

"Thank you for using your voices, calling me in, your accountability, and your candor. I am deeply listening with an open heart and mind," she added.

The rancor arose after CBS announced the show, called "The Activist," and described it as a competition between six activists trying "to bring meaningful change to one of three urgent universal causes: health, education and the environment."

The contestants would be made to "compete in missions, media stunts, digital campaigns and community events," CBS explained.

Critics took to Twitter to lambaste the show for having activists compete against each other.

"Could we perhaps do something less horrifyingly dystopian, like maybe just force political dissidents or representatives of an oppressed underclass into death matches on live TV?" quipped one person on Twitter.

Hough was especially susceptible to criticism, as she had previously been blasted for darkening her face as a part of a Halloween costume portraying a black actress. She addressed that incident in her latest statement.

"Wearing blackface was a poor choice based on my own white privilege and my own white body bias that hurt people and is something I regret doing to this day," Hough said. "However, the regret that I live with pales in comparison to the lived experiences of so many. My commitment has been to reflect and act differently."

Hough said that the producers of the show would take into consideration the public outrage against the competition.

"I have faith and confidence in the beautiful people that I've worked with will make the right choice and do the right thing moving forward," she concluded. "Not just for the show, but for the greater good."

Here's more about Hough's apology over "The Activist":

Julianne Hough Responds to 'The Activist' Backlash: "I Am Deeply Listening" | PEOPLEwww.youtube.com