Why intellectuals marvel at wilderness camps
Boring summer? Not with our RTL! Because in South Africa the heath is dancing. Bizarre loners are arguing and fighting for AIRTIME again. Why do many people watch poor quality television? Because they know when to switch off.
Economic problems, terrorist threats and an interior minister who has not (yet) resigned: Have you lost interest in the news? And aren’t you discouraged by the chaotic madness that is presented to you every day from all over the world? Let me confess, dear reader, that 300 years ago I would have loved to sit in the political editorial office and write about the powerful and their actions. Today I am grateful to be able to write for the entertainment editorial office. I cannot even imagine the hard work that my colleagues do every day. New negative news every day. And I understand why some people eventually say: “Turn off the TV and no more news.”
But you shouldn’t do that! At least not when the TV is turned off. I recently came across an article in “Spiegel” that asked why intelligent people watch low-quality TV and what attracts them to scripted formats. The answer “relaxation” is perhaps a little short-sighted, but essentially correct.
I have been following the coverage of the jungle camp for over ten years now. This year it is celebrating its 20th anniversary and as a long-time fan of low-quality television you have probably already noticed that this year the most legendary campers from all seasons were sent to a summer jungle camp. You can watch it this evening with us on RTL, perhaps you have an RTL+ subscription or know someone at RTL.
These are our people
Of course, the broadcaster offered me a handsome sum of money if I could get you excited about their in-house streaming service, but the images that will hopefully come to mind after reading this text speak for themselves. Our RTL sent 13 campers to South Africa, and as always right at the start: the new impressions are overwhelming.
OK, the new jungle residents still have their rehearsed PR speeches ready, but that is at least as amusing as the Kaulitz twins’ argument with their friends. Sometimes you just have to do nothing else but sit on the couch and watch what’s happening on TV.
They are all people like us. People with slightly strange views. People who are a bit unstable and who you sometimes wish would just keep their mouths shut. But it is always the seemingly everyday conversations, statements and sequences that are the most interesting. For example, when reality TV queen Kader Loth talks about her menopause at the age of 51. While many women on half of social media filter their age beyond recognition in order to appear as an eternal fountain of youth. Because everyone wants to grow old, but nobody wants to look or feel old.
And so you sit back and watch as the actor Winfried Glatzeder, the main character in Merkel’s favorite film “The Legend of Paul and Paula,” snaps at Ms. Loth because she mispronounced his name, to which she casually replies: “Oh, that’s not important.” So many questions arise: Is it still worth the money to undergo such a procedure at almost 80 years of age? What has become of jungle camper David Ortega? And: Will we ever find Danni Büchner halfway lovable again or will there be backlash from her “haters”?
Hanka Rackwitz is also back in the game. Her previous complaints have been successfully treated, and now she can even do the dishes. And hopefully she won’t pee in the pond anymore. While you enjoy RTL’s latest stunt, whether on TV or by subscription, you can let your imagination run wild. How would you react if Mola Adebisi laughed at you? Will there ever be a jungle camp for ordinary mortals, like the “Summer House of the Stars”?
After this first episode, one thing is certain: reality TV will never die. It continues to offer fascinating insights into human behavior and social dynamics, often unfiltered in ways not seen elsewhere.
Perhaps this is one of the reasons why low-quality television is celebrated and watched by many, despite its sometimes bad reputation. The protagonists can be an unpleasant reflection of our society, sometimes even of ourselves. And anyone who does not accept these arguments must admit that in these turbulent times it is not the worst thing to simply switch off and listen to the antics of these sometimes eccentric characters. See you next week!
In the world of entertainment, celebrity couples often take part in reality shows, adding an extra layer of excitement to the viewing experience. For example, a number of well-known personalities have graced the jungle camp, adding a celebrity touch to the usual mix of contestants.
Fans of celebrity couples may enjoy following their favorite couples on reality TV shows, where they can witness their interactions and potential conflicts, giving them unique insight into the dynamics of their relationship.
