# 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.

## 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 live in a villa, and whoever stays the longest gets to keep the house and win money. Each time someone is eliminated the prize money rises. Contestants can only leave voluntarily or be eliminated by unanimous decision by the other contestants.

## 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).

## Contestants

| Contestant | Birthdate | Place of residence | Period | Reason for departure |
| Jaap Amesz | 6 September 1982 | Brielle | 26 February 2007 – 22 May 2008 (451 days) | Winner of The Golden Cage. (Prize: €1,351,000.) |
| Brian Kubatz | 14 April 1981 | Almere | 23 September 2006 – 22 May 2008 (607 days) | Final of The Golden Cage. Runner up |
| Amanda Balk | 15 December 1987 | Amsterdam | 1 February 2007 – 22 May 2008 (476 days) | Final of The Golden Cage. Third place |
| Huub van Ballegooy | 25 December 1981 | Oldenzaal | 2 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 Recourt | 5 January 1984 | Tilburg | 5 January 2008 – 15 May 2008 (131 days) | Accepted €25,000 to leave the game |
| Lieke de Lange | 10 October 1983 | Hilversum | 2 May 2007 – 23 January 2008 (266 days) | Walked out |
| Nadia Derbane | 11 June 1985 | Amsterdam | 29 June 2007 – 3 December 2007 (157 days) | Walked out |
| Dennis Bax | 23 October 1982 | Alphen aan den Rijn | 21 June 2007 – 29 November 2007 (161 days) | Violence |
| Natasia Blank | 26 February 1974 | Almere | 23 September 2006 – 26 July 2007 (306 days) | Evicted |
| Eric 't Mannetje | 19 July 1981 | Leiden | 13 February 2007 – 19 June 2007 (126 days) | Walked out |
| Nicolaas Niels Streefkerk | 27 November 1967 | Amsterdam | 23 September 2006 – 2 November 2006 9 April 2007 – 17 May 2007 (78 days) | Walked out Evicted |
| Sylvia van der Sluijs | 11 August 1977 | Barcelona | 2 October 2006 – 29 April 2007 (209 days) | Walked out |
| Bart Driessen | 25 May 1979 | Amsterdam | 23 September 2006 – 22 February 2007 (152 days) | Walked out |
| Ilona Monsanto | 30 July 1961 | Amsterdam | 23 September 2006 – 5 February 2007 (135 days) | Walked out |
| Nena Lammerts van Bueren | 31 March 1987 | Landsmeer | 23 September 2006 – 1 February 2007 (131 days) | Violence |
| Eveline Klaassen | 10 October 1981 | Ermelo | 25 September 2006 – 11 December 2006 (77 days) | Walked out |
| Nathanael Heres | 31 May 1972 | Amsterdam | 22 November 2006 – 4 February 2007 (74 days) | Violence |
| Stephan Willing | 22 August 1964 | Bussum | 25 September 2006 – 30 November 2006 (66 days) | Evicted |
| Angelique de Bruin-Tilstra | 13 November 1961 | Lelystad | 25 September 2006 – 3 November 2006 (39 days) | Evicted |

## Guest players

| Contestant | Place of residence | Period |
| Luc | Tilburg | 30 September 2007 – 29 January 2008 |
| Janice | Amsterdam | 12 November 2007 – 19 November 2007 |
| Selene | Tilburg | 23 November 2007 – 16 February 2008 |
| Jeroen | Ghent | 5 December 2007 – 6 December 2007 |
| Roekshana | The Hague | 6 December 2007 – 8 December 2007 |
| Mike | Amsterdam | 19 December 2007 – 29 March 2008 |
| Emin Pariz Saidoff | Rotterdam | 12 February 2008 – 18 February 2008 |
| Christina Princess Saidoff | Rotterdam | 12 February 2008 – 18 February 2008 |
| Barry | Amsterdam | 4 March 2008 – 9 March 2008 |
| Nicole | Vlijmen | 5 March 2008 – 10 March 2008 |
| Nienke | Apeldoorn | 10 March 2008 – 14 March 2008 |
| Ricardo a.k.a. Rachel | Amsterdam | 14 March 2008 – 20 May 2008 |