CANNES: If it’s reality Indian broadcasters are scouting for at MIPTV this year, ‘Fresh TV around the world the Spring Summer Collection’ held on Tuesday was definitely the place to pick up the scent.
A slew of reality formats, released around the worldwide in recent months, were showcased by Virginia Mouseler, CEO of the WIT, the leading company researching new TV programmes. Based on the monthly ‘the WIT Fresh TV report’, which spots the new shows launched on more than 30 markets worldwide, Mouseler selected 31 programmes and presented them via video clips.
Here’s a selection of the Spring Summer Collection that might interest India.
Oui Chef (Jamie’s Kitchen), distributed by Fremantle
Already on air in the UK, France, Australia and the Netherlands, it revolves around a young, talented chef who decides to open up a new restaurant and gives 12 inexeperienced young people the chance to learn the restaurant business. Those who survive the four month rigorous training will be part of his staff. The show climaxes in the opening of the restaurant.
Date My Mom, distributed by Princess Productions/ Reveille
On air in Italy, it has a guy taking out three moms to discover everything he can about their daughters, without seeing their pictures. Then he decides which of the daughters will be the right match for him. In the end, everyone meets up to hear his decision and he gets to see what the daughters look like.
Beauty and the Geek, distributed by 20th Century Fox
Currently running in the US, this show has beauties for whom looks are their best tools meet genius guys lacking self confidence and social skills to try and create a ‘well rounded couple’. One beauty and one geek team up to train the other to develop her brains/his charisma. Beauties and geeks compete in funny challenges. The best couple in the transformation shares a cash prize.
Fit for Family, distributed by Zodiak television World
On air in Denmark and Germany, this has parents going on a vacation for five days and picking childless friends to look after their kids. The real parents follow on screen what’s going on in their homes and comment on the new parents’ methods.
Strictly Come Dancing, distributed by BBC worldwide
Already snapped up by UK, Australia, Italy, New Zealand, USA, Russia, Denmark, Poland and Belgium, this show has eight celebs pairing up with professional dancers. Each week, viewers vote for the best couples. In the final, the two remaining couples compete to win the crown of Strictly Come Dancing champions.
The Biggest Loser, distributed by NBC/Reveille
On air in USA, UK, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, this show has 12 overweight people divided into two competing teams following two different diets and making exercise plans to undergo radical physical makeovers, with the help of health experts and trainers. Each week, the team that collectively loses the most weight stays in the game. The other team votes out one of their members. The biggest loser walks away with $ 2,50,000.
No Smoking, distributed by Strix
This Swedish, Norwegian reality show has six people trying to quit smoking in five weeks under the supervision of experts. Each week that the participants go without cigarettes, they are rewarded with a joint sum of money. If they succeed, they share the cash prize.
The Law Firm, distributed by 20th Century Fox
This US show has 12 attorneys competing to boost their careers by arguing real life cases before real life judges. They are divided into teams to research their clients’ cases. Their courtroom performances are assessed by a managing partner who eliminates at least one attorney each week until a winner emerges.
The Cut, distributed by Sony Pictures International Television
Another US show, this is a talent contest hosted by style authority Tommy Hilfiger. 16 designers live together in a New York Loft (reminiscent of Lakme Fashion House?). They are assigned tasks testing their creative talents. Hilfiger eliminates one contestant every week. The winner will designer will design his/her own collection under the Tommy Hilfiger label.
TV Diaries, distributed by Distraction Formats
On air currently in Russia and Denmark, it has 10 ordinary people having two minutes to present a video diary and share intense or funny moments with viewers. Viewers vote for their favourite. The contestant with the fewest votes is replaced by a new one. Contestants battle to stay the longest, since they win money for each day on the show.
Bankgeheim (Where’s The Money?), distributed by Eyeworks
This Netherlands show has five contestants quizzed in five rounds. The winner of each round enters the ‘bank’ to open one of five safes, one of them holds 50,000 euros. The contestant must keep the amount secret but the host grills him/her with questions. If the contestant keeps the secret from the host, he/she wins the jackpot at the end of the game.
Le Tre Scimmiette, distributed by Endemol
This Italian show has three contestants competing in three rounds, illustrating the story of the three monkeys one sees nothing, one hears nothing and the third says nothing to win up to 500,000 euros.