The Golden Cage (TV series)

De Gouden Kooi (The Golden Cage) is a Dutch reality competition that premiered in 2006 on Tien. The series was based on an early iteration of what would eventually become Endemol's format Big Brother.[1]

The Golden Cage
DutchDe Gouden Kooi
GenreReality television
Created byJohn de Mol
Patrick Scholtze
Bart Römer
Paul Römer
StarringLinda de Mol
Bridget Maasland
Rutger Castricum
Country of originNetherlands
Original languageDutch
No. of seasons1
Production
Production locationLos Angeles
Running time23 minutes
Production companyTalpa
Original release
NetworkTien
(2006 - 2007)
RTL 5
(2007 - 2008)
ReleaseOctober 1, 2006 (2006-10-01) –
May 31, 2008 (2008-05-31)

Synopsis

edit

The first Dutch episode on 23 September 2006 had slightly fewer 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). 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 drivers license and breast enhancement surgery. 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, millionaire 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].

Format

edit

The housemates live in a villa, and whoever stays the longest gets to keep the house and win money. Each time someone is eliminated the prize money rises. Contestants can only leave voluntarily or be eliminated by unanimous decision by the other contestants.

Criticism

edit

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).

Contestants

edit
Contestant Birthdate Place of residence Period Reason for departure
Jaap Amesz 6 September 1982 Brielle 26 February 2007 – 22 May 2008 (451 days) Winner of The Golden Cage. (Prize: €1,351,000.)
Brian Kubatz 14 April 1981 Almere 23 September 2006 – 22 May 2008 (607 days) Final of The Golden Cage. Runner up
Amanda Balk 15 December 1987 Amsterdam 1 February 2007 – 22 May 2008 (476 days) Final of The Golden Cage. Third place
Huub van Ballegooy 25 December 1981 Oldenzaal 2 October 2006
11 December 2006 – 4 February 2007
9 February 2007 – 22 May 2008 (523 days)
Evicted for violence, but allowed to return, Final of The Golden Cage. Fourth place
Claire Recourt 5 January 1984 Tilburg 5 January 2008 – 15 May 2008 (131 days) Accepted €25,000 to leave the game
Lieke de Lange 10 October 1983 Hilversum 2 May 2007 – 23 January 2008 (266 days) Walked out
Nadia Derbane 11 June 1985 Amsterdam 29 June 2007 – 3 December 2007 (157 days) Walked out
Dennis Bax 23 October 1982 Alphen aan den Rijn 21 June 2007 – 29 November 2007 (161 days) Violence
Natasia Blank 26 February 1974 Almere 23 September 2006 – 26 July 2007 (306 days) Evicted
Eric 't Mannetje 19 July 1981 Leiden 13 February 2007 – 19 June 2007 (126 days) Walked out
Nicolaas Niels Streefkerk 27 November 1967 Amsterdam 23 September 2006 – 2 November 2006
9 April 2007 – 17 May 2007 (78 days)
Walked out
Evicted
Sylvia van der Sluijs 11 August 1977 Barcelona 2 October 2006 – 29 April 2007 (209 days) Walked out
Bart Driessen 25 May 1979 Amsterdam 23 September 2006 – 22 February 2007 (152 days) Walked out
Ilona Monsanto 30 July 1961 Amsterdam 23 September 2006 – 5 February 2007 (135 days) Walked out
Nena Lammerts van Bueren 31 March 1987 Landsmeer 23 September 2006 – 1 February 2007 (131 days) Violence
Eveline Klaassen 10 October 1981 Ermelo 25 September 2006 – 11 December 2006 (77 days) Walked out
Nathanael Heres 31 May 1972 Amsterdam 22 November 2006 – 4 February 2007 (74 days) Violence
Stephan Willing 22 August 1964 Bussum 25 September 2006 – 30 November 2006 (66 days) Evicted
Angelique de Bruin-Tilstra 13 November 1961 Lelystad 25 September 2006 – 3 November 2006 (39 days) Evicted

Guest players

edit
Contestant Place of residence Period
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 The Hague 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

References

edit
  1. ^ "The Golden Cage". Binged. Retrieved 2023-01-26.

52°14′22″N 5°14′07″E / 52.23944°N 5.23528°E / 52.23944; 5.23528