The Golden Cage (television)
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| The Golden Cage | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Reality television |
| Created by | Talpa Media |
| Country of origin | Netherlands |
| Language(s) | Dutch |
| Production | |
| Location(s) | Eemnes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | Tien (2006-2007) RTL 5 (2007-2008) |
| External links | |
| Official website | |
In 1999, De Gouden Kooi (The Golden Cage) was the original concept and working title for Big Brother. In 2006, was revived and 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 John de Mol Produkties production house, an independent branch 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 format for his TV-station Talpa.
Contents |
[edit] Synopsis
The first Dutch episode on 23 September 2006 had slightly less than 1 million viewers (10-15% market share, it was programmed right after the Dutch Eredivisie soccer show, which always attracts many viewers); the two subsequent episodes received around 500,000 viewers (5-10% market share). Thereafter, the audience dropped to about 350,000[1]. The setting was a €2 million capital villa in Eemnes. After a few months the uglier sides of the participants came to light. A lot of millionaires were constantly plotting how to get rid of the others. Natasia, who had left behind her two young kids, refused to return home when her boyfriend who cared for them asked her to. She wanted to reach her goals first: a boob job and a drivers license. One participant regularly ordered the use of (masked) prostitutes. Some participants started (loveless) sexual relationships, which led to jealousy and much verbal abuse. Another contestant, Nena, had to be disqualified on 2 February 2007 after she kicked another participant's leg. 2 days later, Nathanael kicked Huub and they both got into a fight. After much discussion between the directors, Huub got back into the house because he didn't physically attack Nathanael. On 30 November 2007, miljonaire Dennis was about to be voted off by all of the other contestants in the house and would not be replaced by another contestant, during the vote, Dennis grabbed a chair and demolished a camera in the house, causing him to be disqualified, but also so he would be replaced with another millionaire[2].
[edit] Contestants
| Contestant | birthdate | place of residence | since | Reason for departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaap | 6 September 1982 | Brielle | 26 February 2007 - 22 May 2008 | Winner of The Golden Cage. |
| Brian | 14 April 1981 | Almere | 23 September 2006 - 22 May 2008 | Final of The Golden Cage. Runner up |
| Amanda | 15 December 1987 | Amsterdam | 1 February 2007 - 22 May 2008 | Final of The Golden Cage. Third place |
| Huub | 25 December 1981 | Oldenzaal | 2 October 2006 11 December 2006 - 4 February 2007 9 February 2007 - 22 May 2008 |
Evicted for violence, but allowed to return, Final of The Golden Cage. Fourth place |
| Claire | 5 January 1984 | Tilburg | 5 January 2008 - 15 May 2008 | Accepted €25,000 to leave the game |
| Lieke | 10 October 1983 | Hilversum | 2 May 2007 - 23 January 2008 | Walked out |
| Nadia | 11 June 1985 | Amsterdam | 29 June 2007 - 3 December 2007 | Walked out |
| Dennis | 23 October 1982 | Alphen aan den Rijn | 21 June 2007 - 29 November 2007 | Violence |
| Natasia | 26 February 1974 | Almere | 23 September 2006 - 26 July 2007 | Evicted |
| Eric | 19 July 1981 | Leiden | 13 February 2007 - 19 June 2007 | Walked out |
| Nicolaas (Niels) | 27 November 1967 | Amsterdam | 23 September 2006 - 2 November 2006 9 April 2007 - 17 May 2007 |
Walked out Evicted |
| Sylvia | 11 August 1977 | Barcelona | 2 October 2006 - 29 April 2007 | Walked out |
| Bart | 25 May 1979 | Amsterdam | 23 September 2006 - 22 February 2007 | Walked out |
| Ilona | 30 July 1961 | Amsterdam | 23 September 2006 - 5 February 2007 | Walked out |
| Nathanael | 31 May 1972 | Amsterdam | 22 November 2006 - 4 February 2007 | Violence |
| Nena | 31 March 1987 | Landsmeer | 23 September 2006 - 1 February 2007 | Violence |
| Eveline | 10 October 1981 | Ermelo | 25 September 2006 - 11 December 2006 | Walked out |
| Stephan | 22 August 1964 | Bussum | 25 September 2006 - 30 November 2006 | Evicted |
| Angelique | 13 November 1961 | Lelystad | 25 September 2006 - 3 November 2006 | Evicted |
[edit] Guest players
| Contestant | birthdate | place of residence | since | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luc | Tilburg | 30 September 2007 – 29 January 2008 | |||
| Janice | Amsterdam | 12 November 2007 – 19 November 2007 | |||
| Selene | Tilburg | 23 November 2007 – 16 February 2008 | |||
| Jeroen | Ghent | 5 December 2007 – 6 December 2007 | |||
| Roekshana | Den Haag | 6 December 2007 - 8 December 2007 | |||
| Mike | Amsterdam | 19 December 2007 - 29 March 2008 | |||
| Emin Pariz Saidoff | Rotterdam | 12 February 2008 - 18 February 2008 | |||
| Christina Princess Saidoff | Rotterdam | 12 February 2008 - 18 February 2008 | |||
| Barry | Amsterdam | 4 March 2008 - 9 March 2008 | |||
| Nicole | Vlijmen | 5 March 2008 - 10 March 2008 | |||
| Nienke | Apeldoorn | 10 March 2008 - 14 March 2008 | |||
| Ricardo a.k.a. Rachel | Amsterdam | 14 March 2008 - 20 May 2008 |
[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. Murray Stone therefore promised 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).
[edit] Other countries
John de Mol, who used his own television station (Tien) as a testing ground, sold the concept to the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) on 2 February 2007 .
