The Golden Cage
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In 1999 De Gouden Kooi (The Golden Cage) used to be the original concept and working title for Big Brother. In 2006 it has been turned into another format of Reality Television.
The idea for De Gouden Kooi was born on thursday, 4 September 1997 during a brainstorm session at the production house John de Mol Produkties, an independent part of Endemol. Participants were John de Mol himself, Patrick Scholtze, Bart Römer and his brother Paul Römer. After John de Mol left Endemol he reintroduced the original for his tv-station Talpa.
[edit] Format
In september 2006 ten candidates have entered a capital villa in Eemnes (worth 2 million Euro). The contestant who remains for the longest time in the house may keep it. A jackpot which could add millions of Euros more will ascertain a lifelong income. Those who choose to participate give up their freedom for a minimum of a year in exchange for the chance of the ultimate freedom. One has to perservere longer than one's competitors.
The first episode had slightly less than 1 million viewers (10-15% market share, it was programmed right after the Dutch Eredivisie football show, which always attracts many viewers); the two subsequent episodes received around 500,000 viewers (5-10% market share).[1]
[edit] Criticism
The concept has been heavily criticized. Because there are no nominations or votings off like in Big Brother, psychologists assume that harassment and bullying will be the only ways of getting rid of one's rivals and obtaining the reward. This would provide a very wrong role model for the youth of the Netherlands. John de Mol therefore promissed to introduce a bully referee. The producers rather expect that housemates will leave if they experience homesickness or family-complications will occur (death, birth or sickness). The rules are strict. A person who leaves the house, is forbidden to return. Unless they buy a short freedom with points gained in daily games. But this may only occur when their competitors give their permission.
