Format

The article Vip Under Pressure published by Italian magazine Tivù and written by M.Chiara Duranti, chief editor of Formatbiz,  explores a recent trend in entertainment where celebrities are put through challenging, often uncomfortable situations, satisfying a public appetite for vulnerability and authenticity. Shows like Banged Up in the UK place celebrities in real prisons, while formats such as Norges Dummeste in the Netherlands see participants vie to avoid being labeled the "dumbest." Other shows, like Cast Away and Aidants, involve celebrities in redemption or caregiving scenarios, offering a mix of voyeuristic intrigue and public-service angles. These formats test celebrities both physically and mentally, allowing viewers to see them beyond the glamour, sometimes raising questions about the line betweenUntil a few years ago, we were used to seeing celebrities living luxurious lives, secluded in dreamlike villas. Today, however, it seems the tide has shifted. The public is no longer satisfied just watching them in their golden paradises; they want to see them put to the test, facing difficult situations, and even suffering.

The new trend in entertainment reflects a curiosity—almost morbid—to see celebrities in contexts that challenge them physically and psychologically. A notable example comes from the UK, where Channel 4 aired Banged Up in September. In this social experiment, seven celebrities were locked up for eight days in a real prison, alongside former criminals. The goal was supposedly to raise public awareness about prison conditions, giving participants a taste of what it’s like to live in extreme circumstances. But is this truly an attempt to foster awareness, or merely a new form of voyeuristic entertainment? Regardless of the intent, the format has already gained traction. Banijay Rights announced that the format will be adapted in the Netherlands under the title Hel of Hotel.

In the Netherlands, attention has also been drawn to Norges Dummeste (Norway's Dumbest), where contestants compete to avoid being crowned “the dumbest.” The mechanism is as simple as it is cruel: the smartest participant is eliminated each week, leaving the others to compete to avoid being the last one standing. The format, created by the same team behind The Fittest Pensioner, seems designed to push celebrities to their limits, subjecting them to the judgment of the public and their peers. Moving from embarrassment to redemption, another example is Cast Away (Channel 5, UK). Host Phillip Schofield, who was embroiled in a scandal a few years ago, was left stranded on the coast of Madagascar as a castaway, undertaking a sort of public redemption journey.

Aidants, il est temps de les aider (France 5) takes on a more noble mission, where celebrities perform caregiving tasks, assisting an ill or disabled person. For those seeking a lighter tone, there’s Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?, a spin-off of the popular Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?, where celebrities must answer 11 school-level questions, trying to avoid embarrassing mistakes. Though less intense, the format still plays with the vulnerability of the participants, testing them on something seemingly simple but potentially embarrassing.