Vladimir Putin Could Be The World’s Next Reality Star?
Vladimir Putin is linked to stories that he’ll get Texas to secede. He’s been the off-again, on-again president and prime minister of Russia for fifteen years. But one side of Vladimir Putin the world may get to enjoy involves a tour through on silver screen as a reality star.
Mark Burnett, known for his long-standing work as producer of Survivor, wants the outspoken Russian political figure to step outside of his legislative duties and show television viewers what life is like for Vladimir Putin. No, not the sturdy roughneck who may shoot for Brexit, we’re talking the softer, subtler Vladimir Putin, who has a weakness for family. Does he wrangle livestock? Could he throw a 50-yard touchdown pass? The world would eagerly await each episode if Burnett could pull off the impossible. If he can’t, it wouldn’t be for the lack of trying.
Vladimir Putin grabs his share of headlines, however none to the likes of the Kardashians or Bradys. When there’s Russian turmoil or an intriguing military Disneyland to show off, Putin is right there. And that level of notoriety is just fine with Burnett, who plans on putting together an off-the-wall show featuring some of today’s most touted worldwide political figures — minus the politics, of course. After all, this is the same producer who managed to get Sarah Palin’s Alaska approved for viewership.
An ex-KGB officer and avid outdoorsman, Putin, 62, would sell Russia’s beautiful countryside and diverse wildlife to millions of worldwide onlookers. He won’t garner a huge female following like, say, McDreamy, but he’ll definitely offer an interesting perspective into a major political figure’s personal life — one we hope is more interesting than Obama’s.
Burnett, 54, is also seeking Fidel Castro, provided Putin agrees to the documentary series. With Putin calling for someone like Kate Middleton to enact a spiritual uplifting throughout Russia, maybe he’s prepared to take Burnett’s proposal seriously. Other major works by Burnett include Shark Tank and The Voice, but none could be equally intriguing and nonsensical as his idea to document the daily movements of world leaders.
Born October 7, 1952, in St. Petersburg, Russia, Vladimir Putin served 16 years in the KGB, ending his enlistment with a rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He began his political career as Director of the Federal Security Service under president Boris Yeltsin in 1998, which led to his eventual position as Prime Minister of Russia in 1999.
Mark Burnett did not respond to a request for interview.
[Photo by Pier Marco Tacca / Getty Images News]
