So much of life goes on around us and we accept it as real without challenge. This is the first of our ratings of people who touch our world in some way on the basis of imposterhood or authenticity.

A couple of weeks ago, I watched Good News Week along with millions of other viewers. It was the night Kevin Rudd was tested on his historical political knowledge. What first crossed my mind was "I didn't think he was that funny!" and then it occurred to me that I was right and perhaps it had been scripted as a publicity exercise.

I went into the forum of public opinion and while I realise it's hard to be objective when politics come into it ... here's a taste:

• That man is such a media tart
• Some how I doubt Paul asked the hard questions
• Pathetic attempt to improve his image.
• Might be just me, but $250m to the networks then he gets a cozy 15min spot on a popular tv show to boost his image sound odd?
• C'mon, orchestrated and scripted to make the guy out to be something he is not - a leader and decision maker.

 I didn't read all 405 comments, but the several pages I looked through were mostly negative comments about Rudd's lack of authenticity.

Source: www.news.com.au