Kristi Noem’s DHS has been working with Canadian writer and producer Rob Worsoff to pitch a reality TV show—titled The American—where immigrants will compete in a string of challenges across the country “for the honor of fast-tracking their way to U.S. citizenship,” according to reports.
Worsoff, producer of “Duck Dynasty,” has pitched a 35-page concept plan that aims to “celebrate what it means to be American and have a national conversation about what it means to be American, through the eyes of the people who want it most.”
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said the concept is only in the “very beginning stages” of being vetted by the department, and that Kristi Noem has “not ‘backed’ or even reviewed the pitch of any scripted or reality show.”
Other unnamed sources said that Noem supports the idea and wants another cosplay opportunity in front of cameras.
The program concept begins with 12 pre-vetted immigrant contestants arriving at Ellis Island aboard “The Citizen Ship.”
Contestants would then travel from state to state aboard a train called “The American” to learn about each region’s history and culture and compete in themed contests, ranging from balancing on logs in Hayward, Wisconsin, to building and launching a rocket in Florida’s Cape Canaveral, which houses a major NASA hub.
“We’ll join in the laughter, tears, frustration, and joy—hearing their backstories—as we are reminded how amazing it is to be American,” the pitch reads.
The winner would be sworn in in Capitol Hill by a bigly American politician or judge, while the losers would receive “iconically American” prizes like airline miles, a $10,000 Starbucks gift card, and a lifetime supply of gasoline.
