LOS ANGELES — A lot of reality-television contestants give up normal life for "reality" life. But Richard Mack gave up real politics for fake politics when he abandoned his quest to be governor of Utah to participate in Showtime's "American Candidate" and "run" for president of the United States.

And, several months into the project, he's convinced fake politics can be better than real politics.

"I think the caliber of individual that was on the show is much higher than what you'll see in real life," said Mack, a former Arizona sheriff, an unsuccessful 1998 candidate for Utah County sheriff and one of the throng who was jockeying for position in Utah's GOP gubernatorial race earlier this year.

The Provo man joins nine other hopefuls in "American Candidate," which premieres Sunday on the pay-cable network Showtime.

A cross between political primaries and "Survivor," the show eliminates one candidate each week, and viewers will help make the choice of who wins $200,000 and a chance to address the American people.

"When I got this offer, I never anticipated that I would be selected," Mack said. "And that's why I continued the governor race. And, miraculously, when they called me and said I was selected, I had to make a decision — one bird in the hand or the two governor birds in the bush. And I just thought this was too huge of an opportunity to pass up.

"Right now, I feel that I was absolutely correct in that assessment. And I can always go back to politics. I'm young enough to keep going."

The 10 candidates (six men and four women) were chosen for their differences — different parties, genders, ages and political viewpoints. They include a director for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), a teacher, a former combat nurse, the former chief law-enforcement officer with the Environmental Protection Agency, a venture capitalist and even Dick Gephardt's openly lesbian daughter.

They participate in various challenges each week, beginning with organizing a rally to announce their candidacy. The two who attracted the fewest people to their rallies debate an issue at the end of the show and one is eliminated.

Mack's rally wasn't exactly a resounding success, but it was enough to keep him from the elimination round. "I almost came to Arizona to do the rally," he said. "We almost went back to Safford to do it because I just thought we'd get more excitement in a smaller town.

"We did it in Provo, and I was disappointed in the turnout. We had all sorts of publicity, and then only about 170 people came out, which still left me pretty good in comparison. But I was disappointed."

Similar challenges continue for eight episodes (which have already been taped) at various sites across the country. Viewers get to vote to take three candidates down to two, and then choose the winner.