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It is only a matter of time before we see the death penalty packaged as the ultimate televised entertainment. We already devour countless hours of sensationalized trials, complete with celebrity lawyers playing the cameras like preening rock stars, and endless play by play commentary from the 24 hour spectator-sport newscasters - yet the true climax to the story is postponed, appealed, and finally, done in secret.
I believe the ultimate in audience participation would be to do a reality show where the viewers vote a la American Idol, and narrow down an All-Star death row until they select the baddest criminal in America. Once voting is completed and a winner is selected, the studio audience gets to hit the switch that activates the electric chair, shark tank, firing squad, etc.
The revenue stream from advertising might just tip the deficit back a few years.
And it would be fun to watch.
Not Disney, though. Too edgy.
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