There are more signs of the spread of the dread judging disease to Canada. (Canadian Idol was the first symptom.) The National Playlist, now on CBC-Radio daily, has judges who propose and then sneeringly dispose of songs for the country’s playlist. The main thing isn’t the music, it’s the meanness, following in the steps of the master, Simon Cowell, who treks over from the United Kingdom for American Idol, the original imitation of a British show.

Tomorrow night, on CTV, comes The Next Great Prime Minister, with ex-PMs Brian Mulroney, Kim Campbell, Joe Clark and John Turner sitting in for Paula, Randy and Simon. They play judges, not leaders. Wannabe leaders will also appear.

Note the priority. Everyone prefers to judge, rather than act, lead or perform. Judge, don’t do. (Versus the obsolete: Do not judge.) Everyone knows the stars are the judges, with Simon as the star of stars.

Look at that CTV panel, they’re like a warning about the perils of trying to act (in a political, existential or even showbiz sense), rather than sit back and pass acerbic judgment. They all failed in the world of doing. Joe Clark was PM for nine months, then lost and got dumped by his party. John Turner lost twice, once as prime minister. Kim Campbell lost and was gone. Brian Mulroney won twice, but precipitated the worst electoral disaster ever.

Hey, what about Jean Chrétien? He won three times and never lost. Did they fail to invite him or did he decline, not needing the sop of passing judgments to compensate for failure as a doer?

People watch these shows to identify with the judges, not the contestants. So the goal isn’t success in the sense of winning through talent or pluck. It’s success without having to compete or achieve, just be there and spout snotty opinions. You make it by judging the merits of others, thus avoiding having your own merit judged. Who wouldn’t opt for that? Why aren’t there shows where people compete to be judges? Canadian Judge!

Wait a minute, I just saw that. It was on Wednesday. Mr. Justice John Gomery released his final report. He’s been famous a while now. He gets to opine on anything he wants, like what bothers Canadians (“Perhaps the most widespread feeling among Canadians is . . . ”). I don’t think any “Canadians” testified at his inquiry (as Canadians). He’s like Simon that way. Maybe there will be a show — Gomery for a Day, or You Be the Judge — where public leaders or high civil servants agree to accept his decision, the way they do on Judge Judy. Chuck Guité could go on and avoid those tedious real courts, where you have rules of evidence, lawyers that challenge the judge’s decision etc.

I used to think arts reviewing (books, movies, music) was seriously unhealthy in itself. It meant artists took all the risk and critics (i.e. judges) had most of the power. But that was before this became a Judging Society. I suppose it’s democratic in the sense that everyone gets to put in their view, either on TV or by phoning in.

But judging in this sense has nothing to do with reasoning, or reasoning together. It’s entirely individual, nobody would think of consulting others before declaring an opinion. That would make you look weak and sort of opine-less. In that way, it’s deeply anti-democratic. It’s about me and my notion, however frivolous, versus us and our ability to reach a wise decision together. Tomorrow’s prime minister show is the apotheosis of the genre because it ignores the collective wisdom that turned thumbs down on all these losers and makes them the supreme choosers.

The clincher is that this week the three top contenders for the Liberal leadership — Frank McKenna, John Manley, Brian Tobin — all said they weren’t going to bother. There’s been a lot of commentary that says the costs of criticism and scrutiny in public life drive people away, which I think is what I’m saying. Who needs it? Judge first, lest ye be judged. Maybe Frank, Brian and John are holding out for a show of their own.

It’s hard to even recall what used to draw people into a life of action, doing or creating: a sense of achievement, doing your duty, leaving a legacy, being a hero, serving your community, don’t dribble your life away . . . was that all?

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Rick Salutin

Rick Salutin is a Canadian novelist, playwright and critic. He is a strong advocate of left wing causes and writes a regular column in the Toronto Star.