Why is the jungle camp such a ratings hit?

What is the secret of the show's success?

"I'm a start, get me out of here" has always been a ratings maker. Year after year, millions of viewers follow the funny and explosive jungle activities. But what fascinates the Germans so much about this format? Legitimate question! The whole thing is a bit reminiscent of course carnival – which is well received by the majority of people in this country. In addition to dressing up and making a monkey of a certain kind, it is of course a lot of fun to watch other people make themselves a monkey. The carnivalesque aspect of the jungle show is primarily that it teases “big shots” (or at least somewhat familiar faces). At carnival it's often politicians, here the celebrities. The latter have to face jungle tests that often serve the Western European disgust factor - or push the stars to their limits in other ways.

Viewers want to look behind the seemingly perfect facades of celebrities. And that is of course perfectly possible with this entertainment format. As a silent permanent observer, the viewer always knows what the celebrities are up to, what occupies them, with whom they get bitchy and what their darkest secrets are. Because hardly any of the stars manages to keep up the perfect appearance for 14 days 24/7. Especially under the difficult conditions in the jungle. Whether short or long - at some point every facade crumbles. And then at the latest you are there as a spectator to watch the whole thing flicker live on the screen.

Are viewers' voyeurism (and glee) the only keys to success?

Here you can say quite clearly: No! Much is voyeuristic - no question. And one or the other mishap is sure to be laughed at. How could it be otherwise with a trashy entertainment format? But the audience also pays respect. Respect for the celebrities who, under adverse conditions, take on disgusting, difficult and nerve-wracking dares in the face the jungle, give up their normal life completely for 14 days and, under the simplest of circumstances, are on vacation endure.

Jungle camp social experiment - What role does the selection of candidates play in terms of popularity?

Definitely an important one! Or rather, the camp stands and falls with the right mix of characters and their level of fame. It takes a few well-known celebrities to lure viewers in for success. Some semi-familiar ones, who should, however, polarize strongly, are also part of the party. The rest can also consist of rather not so well-known people. Of course, their characters are also important. A colorful mix is ​​important here. There should be an alpha animal, a "camp mom" maybe, some flashier and some less flashy celebrities, funnier and more melancholic. A quota guarantor is of course the one who is against everything per se, refuses and resists and does not work in a team. This mixture leads to arguments and catfights and provides a topic for conversation. The viewers want to see that too. If only the same personality types were to move into the jungle, it would probably quickly become boring. In addition, the different camp characters also appeal to different audiences. There should be something (or someone) for everyone.

Which strategy are the candidates most likely to use to win the crown?

The current jungle moderator Sonja Zietlow and her former comrade-in-arms Daniel Hartwich answered this in an interview in 2019. Zietlow's most important advice: "Authenticity", but only with good character. "If you're an asshole, you should try your best to pretend," Hartwich continued his colleague's comment. The latter has already chosen her clear jungle heroine: 2014, Larissa Marolt. "That was the most entertaining, funniest, most authentic and the only candidate who actually opened the champagne in an exam," recalls Zietlow.

Why do celebrities even do this to themselves?

For some, that question is easy to answer: because of the money. Fees, some of which should not be underestimated, are reaped by certain stars for their time in the Australian jungle. For the majority of the participants, however, the attention they receive during the broadcast and immediately afterwards probably also plays a role. Through the tabloid reporting, the jungle camp is also spreading beyond television, and the names are getting bigger at this time. This is a wonderful opportunity, especially for celebrities who have been "recycled" from other trash formats, to get back into people's minds.

Are other formats such as "The Stars' Summer House" competing with the jungle?

Probably less. The jungle camp is special because of its exotic location. A jungle in Australia - or like last year in South Africa - is something different than a simple house. Plus, of course, it's the original. It remains to be seen whether "I'm a star, get me out of here" will remain so popular in the years to come. What is certain is that it is currently one of the most successful entertainment formats on German television - and will probably remain so for a while.