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.

The Golden Cage
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
Release
Original networkTien
(2006 - 2007)
RTL 5
(2007 - 2008)
Original releaseOctober 1, 2006 (2006-10-01) 
May 31, 2008 (2008-05-31)
External links
Official Website

Synopsis

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 . 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.

Format

The housemates will live in a villa, just as in the original series. However, if contestant's lose weekly challenges the housemates with the lowest points will face elimination which will be decided by the contestants.

Each week someone is eliminated and the housemates pick someone to leave the prize money will rise.

Contestants

ContestantBirthdatePlace of residencePeriodReason for departure
Jaap Amesz6 September 1982Brielle26 February 2007 - 22 May 2008 (451 days)Winner of The Golden Cage. (Prize: 1,351,000.- Euro)
Brian Kubatz14 April 1981Almere23 September 2006 - 22 May 2008 (607 days)Final of The Golden Cage. Runner up
Amanda Balk15 December 1987Amsterdam1 February 2007 - 22 May 2008 (476 days)Final of The Golden Cage. Third place
Huub van Ballegooy25 December 1981Oldenzaal2 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 Recourt5 January 1984Tilburg5 January 2008 - 15 May 2008 (131 days)Accepted €25,000 to leave the game
Lieke de Lange10 October 1983Hilversum2 May 2007 - 23 January 2008 (266 days)Walked out
Nadia Derbane11 June 1985Amsterdam29 June 2007 - 3 December 2007 (157 days)Walked out
Dennis Bax23 October 1982Alphen aan den Rijn21 June 2007 - 29 November 2007 (161 days)Violence
Natasia Blank26 February 1974Almere23 September 2006 - 26 July 2007 (306 days)Evicted
Eric 't Mannetje19 July 1981Leiden13 February 2007 - 19 June 2007 (126 days)Walked out
Nicolaas Niels Streefkerk27 November 1967Amsterdam23 September 2006 - 2 November 2006
9 April 2007 - 17 May 2007 (78 days)
Walked out
Evicted
Sylvia van der Sluijs11 August 1977Barcelona2 October 2006 - 29 April 2007 (209 days)Walked out
Bart Driessen25 May 1979Amsterdam23 September 2006 - 22 February 2007 (152 days)Walked out
Ilona Monsanto30 July 1961Amsterdam23 September 2006 - 5 February 2007 (135 days)Walked out
Nena Lammerts van Bueren31 March 1987Landsmeer23 September 2006 - 1 February 2007 (131 days)Violence
Eveline Klaassen10 October 1981Ermelo25 September 2006 - 11 December 2006 (77 days)Walked out
Nathanael Heres31 May 1972Amsterdam22 November 2006 - 4 February 2007 (74 days)Violence
Stephan Willing22 August 1964Bussum25 September 2006 - 30 November 2006 (66 days)Evicted
Angelique de Bruin-Tilstra13 November 1961Lelystad25 September 2006 - 3 November 2006 (39 days)Evicted

Guest players

ContestantPlace of residencePeriod
LucTilburg30 September 2007 – 29 January 2008
JaniceAmsterdam12 November 2007 – 19 November 2007
SeleneTilburg23 November 2007 – 16 February 2008
JeroenGhent5 December 2007 – 6 December 2007
RoekshanaDen Haag6 December 2007 - 8 December 2007
MikeAmsterdam19 December 2007 - 29 March 2008
Emin Pariz SaidoffRotterdam12 February 2008 - 18 February 2008
Christina Princess SaidoffRotterdam12 February 2008 - 18 February 2008
BarryAmsterdam4 March 2008 - 9 March 2008
NicoleVlijmen5 March 2008 - 10 March 2008
NienkeApeldoorn10 March 2008 - 14 March 2008
Ricardo a.k.a. RachelAmsterdam14 March 2008 - 20 May 2008

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).

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