Is anybody watching The Runner Up on Esquire network? The docu-series that followed Clay Aiken as he campaigned for congress last year is getting great reviews. As soon as I get a minute, I’m going to take a look. The producers had unfettered access to Clay and his team as they campaigned throughout the primary and general election.
The docu-series name refers to Clay seeming destined to always finish second. From American Idol, to Celebrity Apprentice (losing to Arsenio Hall) and finally losing to Republican, Renee Ellmers for North Carolina’s 2nd district in Congress.
In the video below, Clay speaks with Huffpost live about his political journey.
On feeling cynical after the experience, Clay said, “Yeah, there was cynicism. I mean, we called it, we called it ‘What The F*ck Mountain’ for a while. We called it that for a while because it was that reaction that people had when they found out Clay Aiken’s running for Congress. ‘What the,’ you know?”
Clay claims America is really an oligarchy. “If I could have chosen to only allow the people who vote for me to be able to vote on Idol…I would have won.”
Watch the video below. The Runner Up is currently airing on the Esquire Network.