Canadian says his TV pitch portrayed as Hunger Games for U.S. migrants was misrepresented
When Rob Worsoff recently revisited an old idea he had for a reality television show focused on people on the path to United States citizenship, he had no idea of the whirlwind he was about to enter. The Canadian-born freelance television producer shared his pitch to develop a show around aspiring immigrants learning about the culture of their new country with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under both the Obama and Biden administrations. He even presented a version of it to the CBC.
Worsoff then took his idea to the new Trump administration, but this time, the 49-year-old found himself embroiled in a global media and political storm. His proposal for a show called The American was leaked to the Daily Mail, which reported that U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem was considering approving the project and described it as a competition pitting immigrants against each other. Other U.S. news outlets picked up the story, dubbing it the “Hunger Games for migrants.”
However, Noem clarified in a Senate hearing that there were no plans to move forward with a reality show centered around immigration. Worsoff expressed that his pitch was never meant to be political and stemmed from his personal experience as a Canadian navigating the U.S. immigration system.
Growing up in Montreal as a fan of TV, movies, and comic books, Worsoff initially aspired to become a sports broadcaster. However, a spontaneous decision led him to Los Angeles, where he delved into the reality television industry during its boom. Over the years, he worked on various shows, including popular hits like Duck Dynasty, Breaking Bonaduce, and The Biggest Loser.
Around 2005, while on his own path to U.S. citizenship, Worsoff began developing the concept for a show that would educate viewers about the citizenship process and showcase American heritage and culture. He envisioned sending pre-screened individuals on the brink of citizenship on a journey across the country to participate in challenges like a pizza challenge in New York or a potato challenge in Idaho.
Worsoff’s idea resonated with Canadian actor Jonathan Torrens, with whom he had worked on a previous project. They contemplated a Canadian version of the show and even pitched it to the CBC in 2006, although it was ultimately not picked up.
Despite facing backlash and negative messages online since the leak of his pitch, Worsoff remains steadfast in his belief in the show’s positive intentions. He emphasized his commitment to creating television that showcases genuine human stories and experiences, filled with emotion and heart.
As he navigates the aftermath of the leaked pitch, Worsoff is determined to push forward with his vision for The American, emphasizing collaboration with the government and industry to bring his show to fruition. His ultimate goal is to create a program that celebrates the dreams and aspirations of individuals on their journey to citizenship, delivering a message of unity and understanding.
