chart throb

Chart Throb was the title of a book by Ben Elton published in 2006.  It was a spoof on a reality TV show which judged singing talent and good looks.  The name of the show (and the book) was modelled on heart throb but incorporated the idea that the  winner topped the charts, the list of best-selling pop records published at regular intervals.

Now chart throb refers to the election analysts who briefly become TV stars as they analyse results as they come in, dazzling the viewers with their ability to do the maths on the spot and interpret the electoral maps in order  to make predictions as to who will win.  The charts in this case are the polling figures and the spreadsheets which they create.  It is an American term which came to the fore in their recent election because it went on so long before Biden was pronounced to be the winner, so reading the charts became  a marathon performance. I would predict that come the next election here Anthony Green will be referred to as a chart throb.