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Developer · Jan 14, 2004, 05:20 PM

Finally there is a show with a great new concept running here in Germany called something like "I'm a Start, help me out!"
10 celebrities are living in the Australian jungle and each day one of them has to do a jungle trial for the groups food.

It's a great show because of one of the celebrities is Caroline Beil:

Yesterday she has been in the "Ostrich Attack" trial:

effgee · Jan 14, 2004, 05:25 PM

... new in germany only, old hat (pretty much) everywhere else ...

Developer · Jan 14, 2004, 05:52 PM

Originally posted by effgee:
... new in germany only, old hat (pretty much) everywhere else ...

Yes? So where have you seen something like this before?

Today Caroline was in the "Monster Mud" trial. Unfortunate that she loses contenance so quickly. Unworthy of such a beautiful woman.

Turias · Jan 14, 2004, 05:54 PM

Ah, the joys of trashy reality television shows. I'm glad to see that they've made their way to Germany, too.

talisker · Jan 14, 2004, 05:59 PM

Originally posted by Developer:
Yes? So where have you seen something like this before?

Today Caroline was in the "Monster Mud" trial. Unfortunate that she loses contenance so quickly. Unworthy of such a beautiful woman.

I believe the UK has "I'm a Celebrity, Get me out of here!" I think they've had two series already.

effgee · Jan 14, 2004, 05:59 PM

Originally posted by Developer:
Yes? So where have you seen something like this before?

Crap like this has been on US TV for several years ... all kinds of mindless reality-TV bull like "Celebrity Boxing", "Celebrity Boot Camp" and "Celebrity Fear Factor" <-- I think that's the original to the new German show but I'm not sure - I don't watch reality TV.

If I want my head to go numb I do a search for all of ankle_brains recent threads ...

Chris O'Brien · Jan 14, 2004, 06:03 PM

Originally posted by talisker:
I believe the UK has "I'm a Celebrity, Get me out of here!" I think they've had two series already.

Yeah, Phil Tuffnel won the second one and Tony Blackburn the first.

Yes - I am embarassed for knowing this, it was my girlfriend who told me. Honest.

talisker · Jan 14, 2004, 06:06 PM

Originally posted by Black Book:
Yeah, Phil Tuffnel won the second one and Tony Blackburn the first.

Yes - I am embarassed for knowing this, it was my girlfriend who told me. Honest.

Tony Blackburn. Jesus

effgee · Jan 14, 2004, 06:06 PM

Originally posted by Black Book:
Yes - I am embarassed for knowing this, it was my girlfriend who told me. Honest.

That is one cheap-booty excuse. But I like it - I use it all the time.

Developer · Jan 14, 2004, 06:10 PM

Originally posted by talisker:
I believe the UK has "I'm a Celebrity, Get me out of here!"

Yes, that's how this show here is called too.

york28 · Jan 14, 2004, 07:24 PM

Reality TV =

Developer · Jan 15, 2004, 11:06 AM

Originally posted by york28:
Reality TV =

I think it's a great show.

Here are pictures from yesterday's Monster Mud trial:

Mastrap · Jan 15, 2004, 12:03 PM

Originally posted by Developer:
I think it's a great show.

Most German television sucks majorly and this show is a prime example why. Cheap to produce, a perfect PR opportunity for talentless Z-list celebrities. The televisual equivalent of a late night kebab from a dodgy salesman on the Tottenham Court Road.

Most content shown in Germany is bought in from abroad. Not that there is a shortage of talent in Germany, but a plethora of TV stations are fighting for commercial survival and are unwilling to invest in original, high quality programs.

'I'm a celebrity' was originally developed in the UK.
So was 'Big Brother' 'Who wants to be a millionaire?' 'Pop Idol' and a whole range of other shows. Whenever I am in Germany and switch the TV on I feel like being in a time warp, back two years.

Jellytussle · Jan 15, 2004, 12:08 PM

Originally posted by Black Book:
Yeah, Phil Tuffnel won the second one and Tony Blackburn the first.

Yes - I am embarassed for knowing this, it was my girlfriend who told me. Honest.

I never got how they were the winners. Surely the show's title indicates that viewers vote for those they want to rescue? That makes Blackburn a loser - more appropriate, somehow.

effgee · Jan 15, 2004, 02:00 PM

Originally posted by Mastrap:
Most German television sucks majorly and this show is a prime example why.

Absolutely right - and completely wrong. Most (> 99.9%) German entertainment TV, as in quiz shows, talk shows, soaps, dramas, etc. sucks so bad that two minutes into watching any show of that kind, your toe nails will begin to curl and you'll feel hives breaking out all over your body. They are so bad, it's not even remotely funny. (Anyone remember the radio commercial about the German comedian ... "I just flew in from Germany - my arms still hurt"? Sort of like that). There are very, very, very few good shows within the entertainment category.

But, and here I have to stand up for the good Krautsmen, as far as documentaries, political reporting and news are concerned, they are among the very best out there.

Developer · Jan 15, 2004, 06:03 PM

Originally posted by Mastrap:
Most German television sucks majorly and this show is a prime example why. Cheap to produce, a perfect PR opportunity for talentless Z-list celebrities.

I think it's pretty irrelevant how cheap something is to produce. I'm just happy that finally there is a great show with a good concept after a lot of trash like Big Brother or Superstars.

effgee · Jan 15, 2004, 06:36 PM

Originally posted by Developer:
I'm just happy that finally there is a great show with a good concept after a lot of trash like Big Brother or Superstars.

Aren't they all the same anyway?

Developer · Jan 16, 2004, 05:29 PM

Originally posted by effgee:
Aren't they all the same anyway?

No, the idea of this show is that they have to do these trials. And the adventure trials have been great. See the image of the Ostrich Attack above. I really don't like the disgust trials however like that with the animals and such.

Also didn't like when they showed so much of them talking about sex and such. That's when I switched channel yesterday.

nonhuman · Jan 16, 2004, 06:05 PM

Originally posted by Developer:
Today Caroline was in the "Monster Mud" trial. Unfortunate that she loses contenance so quickly. Unworthy of such a beautiful woman.

She's incontenant? Yes, that is quite unfortunate.

Developer · Jan 20, 2004, 06:54 PM

So Costa Cordalis is now King of the Jungle.

Next week Katie Price is moving into the camp, but this isn't broadcasted any more.

deedar · Jan 20, 2004, 07:03 PM

Originally posted by Developer:

Muammar Gadafy was a contestant?

Developer · Jan 20, 2004, 07:42 PM

Originally posted by deedar:
Muammar Gadafy was a contestant?

Now that you say it, he seems to have some similarity, but no, it's not Gaddafi, that is Costa Cordalis the new King of the Jungle and a singer in the 70ies.

deedar · Jan 20, 2004, 08:27 PM

Originally posted by Developer:
Now that you say it, he seems to have some similarity, but no, it's not Gaddafi, that is Costa Cordalis the new King of the Jungle and a singer in the 70ies.

I was joking - I guess I should have used a

or something, eh?

Developer · Jan 27, 2004, 08:10 AM

Here is another great picture of Caroline Beil:

Apparently the show is now running in the UK with Katie Price. If you have any pictures of that please post them.

Diggory Laycock · Jan 27, 2004, 09:06 AM

Here's not a very good shot of her:

John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten) is probably the most interesting contestant this year (he's got to do the Ostriches tonight)

Developer · Jan 27, 2004, 09:10 AM

Originally posted by Diggory Laycock:
John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten) is probably the most interesting contestant this year (he's got to do the Ostriches tonight)

Never heard of him. The Ostrich Attack trial was great (mostly because of Caroline probably).

It's sad that no British channel can be received via Astra.

Diggory Laycock · Jan 27, 2004, 09:16 AM

Originally posted by Developer:
Never heard of him. The Ostrich Attack trial was great (mostly because of Caroline probably).

It's sad that no British channel can be received via Astra.

He was in the Sex Pistols.

I think Sky (the service that carries UK channels) uses Astra - but it's all encrypted.

[edit] - here's a better pic of Jordan:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bing69w...tie%20Price%20(Jordan).jpg

Mastrap · Jan 27, 2004, 09:17 AM

Originally posted by Developer:

It's sad that no British channel can be received via Astra.

You can receive all British TV channels in Germany. You will need a separate dish and receiver but it is possible. The BBC has recently switched to unencoded broadcast.

Developer · Jan 27, 2004, 09:26 AM

Originally posted by Mastrap:
You can receive all British TV channels in Germany. You will need a separate dish and receiver but it is possible. The BBC has recently switched to unencoded broadcast.

That's good news sort of, but I can't put up a separate dish since the house is not mine. I just hire a flat. I can only receive Astra here.

Rain · Jan 27, 2004, 09:29 AM

Originally posted by talisker:
I believe the UK has "I'm a Celebrity, Get me out of here!" I think they've had two series already.

Same title for the American version. The first, and only one so far, was aired last year (or the year before). I think Jlo's ex-husband won that one.

ETA: it was a very...very boring show.

Celebrity Mole, on the other hand, is very good (well, compare to "I'm a Celebrity...")

Simon X · Jan 27, 2004, 09:33 AM

Originally posted by Mastrap:

'I'm a celebrity' was originally developed in the UK.
So was 'Big Brother' 'Who wants to be a millionaire?' 'Pop Idol' and a whole range of other shows.

Don't foster the origins of Big Brother on us since it was originally developed in the Netherlands, were the good ol' Dutch started it off by doing the dirty.
Link

Sorry to be pedantic. And no, I've never seen more than a few minutes from any of the reality shows, I just keep up with what goes on in the media.

Judge_Fire · Jan 27, 2004, 10:27 AM

Blame Europe for some reality TV

Survivor is based on a British format that failed until it was picked up in Sweden as 'Robinson'. See story.

Fear Factor is from the Netherlands I believe, we get both the US and British versions. The British one had teams, so there was a different dynamic, btw.

J

Spheric Harlot · Jan 27, 2004, 11:09 AM

Originally posted by Developer:
I think it's pretty irrelevant how cheap something is to produce. I'm just happy that finally there is a great show with a good concept after a lot of trash like Big Brother or Superstars.

And here I was, constantly wondering just exactly *whom* this **** was pandering to. You *do* realize that you're just watching an extension of Simon Fuller's "Deutschland sucht den Superstar" ("........... Idol") money-printing engine, don't you?

Same guy, same marketing department, same BMG contracts (Daniel K�blb�ck is from "Superstar", and I'll bet that Costa Cordalis is on BMG, as well, along with any other guests active in the music scene on the German show).

I do agree that production budget is not at all indicative of quality, but cheap shows and expensive international franchising have made Simon Fuller (inventor and marketer of the Spice Girls) tens of millions of pounds.

-s*

Developer · Jan 27, 2004, 12:40 PM

I think Ginger is hot, so

"Deutschland sucht den Superstar" is schei�e, but if there are idiots who are calling/voting or buying the CDs I let them. So what's the problem if this Mr. Fuller is making money with this, as long as it's not our money?

I wonder what you would consider quality television.

Spheric Harlot · Jan 27, 2004, 12:55 PM

Originally posted by Developer:
I wonder what you would consider quality television.

effgee's assessment above is pretty much dead-on.

Most (> 99.9%) German entertainment TV, as in quiz shows, talk shows, soaps, dramas, etc. sucks so bad that two minutes into watching any show of that kind, your toe nails will begin to curl and you'll feel hives breaking out all over your body. They are so bad, it's not even remotely funny. (Anyone remember the radio commercial about the German comedian ... "I just flew in from Germany - my arms still hurt"? Sort of like that). There are very, very, very few good shows within the entertainment category.

But, and here I have to stand up for the good Krautsmen, as far as documentaries, political reporting and news are concerned, they are among the very best out there.

I'd add to that much of 3sat's and arte's programming.

Harald Schmidt was great "entertainment" TV, Stefan Raab has his moments every once in a while, and "Quatsch Comedy Club" is pretty much the only mainstream comedy show that is at least occasionally funny, IMO.

-s*

Developer · 03:44 PM

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
Harald Schmidt was great "entertainment" TV

Harald Schmidt was television nihilism. He coqueted with him finding the medium crap and yet being able to make a load of money with it, and did - nothing. That was funny for some time, but it was obvious that it couldn't last forever.
3sat/arte is "meta culture". Just because there is lots of talking about it, doesn't mean that it is art itself. At the end, no real content is transported either.

Katie Price bathing after her trial yesterday

DeathToWindows · Jan 27, 2004, 09:46 PM

death has gagged

reality tv is awful

Sherwin · Jan 27, 2004, 09:53 PM

Originally posted by Mastrap:
You can receive all British TV channels in Germany. You will need a separate dish and receiver but it is possible. The BBC has recently switched to unencoded broadcast.

It's not a BBC show - it's ITV. But you can get it in Germany (with the right gear), for sure - ITV carries UK coverage of the grands prix and a couple of guys I know stationed in Germany watch it on that channel.

TETENAL · Nov 2, 2004, 06:43 PM

The second season is running currently. I love "Dr. Bob" the physician that explains all the trials.

Very very unfortunately the viewers voted out Heydi Nunez Gomez.

phoenixboy70 · Nov 2, 2004, 07:02 PM

AWESOME!

TETENAL · Nov 2, 2004, 07:13 PM

Originally posted by phoenixboy70:
AWESOME!

Can you explain to me why people call for this guy, but not for Nunez Gomez?

phoenixboy70 · Nov 2, 2004, 07:18 PM

Originally posted by TETENAL:
Can you explain to me why people call for this guy, but not for Nunez Gomez?

errrr...because she's pretty much a lifeless ho and jimmy hartwig RAWKS!!!

TETENAL · Nov 2, 2004, 07:37 PM

Originally posted by phoenixboy70:
errrr...because she's pretty much a lifeless ho and jimmy hartwig RAWKS!!!

She is gorgeous! And she's not lifeless. Looking at her is wonderful already.

I believe the majority of people calling are women without a clue.

Spheric Harlot · Nov 2, 2004, 07:57 PM

didn't read this last time around, sorry:

Originally posted by Developer:

Harald Schmidt was television nihilism. He coqueted with him finding the medium crap and yet being able to make a load of money with it, and did - nothing. That was funny for some time, but it was obvious that it couldn't last forever.

Actually, his nihilistic moments were the best.

However, if you had watched him somewhat regularly, you would have realized a structure in the madness.

And someone who re-enacts the crucial scenes of Homer's "Odyssey" with playmobil figures on television is beyond reproach in my book.

He also did some great, off-the-wall shows - several were set in theatres and entirely scripted, and such.

Originally posted by Developer:
3sat/arte is "meta culture". Just because there is lots of talking about it, doesn't mean that it is art itself. At the end, no real content is transported either.

I'll have to disagree.

Have you ever seen "Mit offenen Karten" on arte? Absolutely brilliant geopolitical/historical background to current events.

Just one example.

Music shows on 3sat and arte and the others, including the live concerts, are another.

-s*

TETENAL · Nov 2, 2004, 08:37 PM

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
Actually, his nihilistic moments were the best.

They were his best moments, but it couldn't last forever. He was great when deconstructing television, but eventually that was deconstructing his own show. There were bright moments at the end of his show like the one you mentioned, but it was starting to get boring. He picked the right moment to quit.

We will have to see how his new show on ARD is going to be. I don't think he can start where he stopped. As I think it was unfair to expect that from his successor. You can not begin a show with a nihilistic attitude. Incidentally Anke Engelke showed some of this kind of beloved sarcasm when where show was canceled (sort of forced), and she was great then. They should have give her more time to develop.

I'll have to disagree.

I'm not so sure what I meant by that. Probably that 3sat and arte isn't culture just because it talks a lot about culture (Literatisches Quartett, Kulturreport, Ingeborg-Bachmann Litature-Boredom etc.) I'd prefer television to make culture, not just report about it.

Spheric Harlot · Nov 2, 2004, 09:23 PM

Originally posted by TETENAL:
They were his best moments, but it couldn't last forever. He was great when deconstructing television, but eventually that was deconstructing his own show. There were bright moments at the end of his show like the one you mentioned, but it was starting to get boring. He picked the right moment to quit.

We will have to see how his new show on ARD is going to be. I don't think he can start where he stopped. As I think it was unfair to expect that from his successor. You can not begin a show with a nihilistic attitude. Incidentally Anke Engelke showed some of this kind of beloved sarcasm when where show was canceled (sort of forced), and she was great then. They should have give her more time to develop.

Agreed on all counts.

Originally posted by TETENAL:
I'm not so sure what I meant by that. Probably that 3sat and arte isn't culture just because it talks a lot about culture (Literatisches Quartett, Kulturreport, Ingeborg-Bachmann Litature-Boredom etc.) I'd prefer television to make culture, not just report about it.

I see what you mean, though I'm not sure I agree. I'll watch with that in mind and think about it, though.