PROVO — With a television camera hovering behind him, Richard Mack — failed candidate for governor, city council and sheriff — explained Monday from his Provo home what he would do if elected president of the United States.

"I would abolish the IRS and income tax," the 51-year-old began, his arms folded across his chest. He also said he would legalize marijuana, end the prosecution of polygamy and stop issuing marriage licenses — to gays and straights.

"These aren't my views," Mack said. "I'm just relaying a message. These are the views of the Founding Fathers."

Mack isn't really running for U.S. president; he is one of 12 people starring in the new reality TV show "American Candidate," airing in August on the cable network Showtime.

The program is a cross between "American Idol" and "The Apprentice," Mack explained, except the winner doesn't get a recording contract or a job from Donald Trump. Instead, if Mack wins he gets $200,000, a televised address to the nation, and the claim that he is the "people's choice" for president.

"I'm taking it pretty seriously," Mack said. "It's a chance for me to get my views out to millions of people. It's not a joke."

The show's creator, R.J. Cutler, produced the influential 1993 documentary "The War Room," which chronicled the 1992 Clinton-Gore campaign. Cutler hopes the series increases voter turnout and sparks a discussion about what is wrong with American politics.

But some political scientists are skeptical a program on a network that reaches just one in five U.S. households will have much of an impact on voters.

"I would beg to differ that a TV show will inspire people to get more involved in politics. People are inspired to get involved by war or crisis — an economic or moral crisis," said Quin Monson, assistant director of the Center of Elections and Democracy at Brigham Young University. "It's a lofty and admirable goal, and at first blush it sounds like a great idea, but I think there's an inherent conflict between entertainment and serious political discourse."

Over a 10-week period, the 12 contestants will face off in a series of challenges "designed to test their presidential mettle and to show viewers what really goes on in the making of a presidential candidate," according to the show's Web site.

Each week, a candidate will be eliminated. In the final episode, the two remaining candidates will engage in a live studio debate. The winner may choose to actually run for president, but anyone who explores or announces an official candidacy during production will be disqualified.

On Monday morning, Mack, who was selected from hundreds of applicants after a series of interviews and tests, got his first challenge, delivered in a black briefcase.