Last but not least: Into space via casting show

Until now, you got on TV or got a job with a casting show, and that was fine. But in the future, you can also apply for a trip into space - at least in Great Britain. There, the Virgin group of companies owned by British billionaire Richard Branson is planning a commercial space project called Virgin Galactic, which aims to usher in commercial space tourism in 2009. What could be more natural than to recoup some of the resulting costs with a casting show for the future astronaut or astronauts? As the British newspaper The Guardian reported, negotiations about the astronaut casting "Astronaut Idol" are underway with the BBC and with the private broadcaster ITV. According to the setting, the final selection will be made between six candidates, who can come from all over the world. The spacecraft should be ready in the second half of 2007. If further funds have to be raised, an additional show from the spaceship could be realized after the launch, following the BigBrother model, says Werbewoche.