I think it's an absolutely brilliant idea and probably, in my opinion, the best use of the reality TV format yet. We humans, when we're not fighting each other, are natural pioneers and stuff like this is what gets us to places we wouldn't normally go… think of what Columbus and Marco Polo did.
Unfortunately it will probably fail for two reasons:
1. It won't have Z-list celebs having hissy fits on it, that'll put off all the chavs which subsequently won't bring in the viewing audiences the advertisers need and;
2. It will probably be covertly derailed by the American, Chinese, or Russian governments because they will want to put one of their astronauts on Mars first for political purposes
Shame really, ever since the Apollo missions stopped we've been in a red-tape rut where Nasa and others have spent the time messing about with near earth orbit projects because they're easier and cheaper, I know that they've put robots aplenty on Mars but it's just not the same! We want to see humans there, and not only Mars but all the other pieces of rock in our solar system, once that starts happening technology developments will increase exponentially. As tech companies ramp up their research into making space travel better so the 'filter down effect' will improve the technology we use daily, think what Formula One has done for the car industry over the years.
We need to get on with exploring space, and quickly, before President Putin fucks it all up and drags us into a nuclear-armed conflict.
This is why Mars One must succeed, it'll give everyone the kick up the arse they need to get us off out into space and start colonising worlds.
So ends my ha'penny's worth ;)
