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.