All posts tagged: contestant

Gregg Wallace allegations ‘tip of the iceberg’, former MasterChef contestant claims | Ents & Arts News

Gregg Wallace allegations ‘tip of the iceberg’, former MasterChef contestant claims | Ents & Arts News

Published by skeptic

Allegations against Gregg Wallace are just the “tip of the iceberg”, a former MasterChef contestant has told Sky News – claiming he witnessed a “toxic environment” and was so “horrified” he considered quitting the show on his first day. He alleged the “abuse” of contestants was widespread through the “production team”, but was too scared to speak out after signing a non-disclosure agreement. The contestant, who did not wish to be identified, told Sky’s arts and entertainment correspondent Katie Spencer: “I was horrified. I’d never seen anything like it, genuinely, I was really quite shocked at that really toxic environment. “What I witnessed… as a contestant was that there was a systemic problem that was larger than just him, in my view. “Gregg… would occasionally crack jokes that in different ways felt inappropriate but he wasn’t the only one.” Wallace has stepped back from presenting the BBC cooking show MasterChef after accusations he made sexual comments towards staff and celebrity guests on a range of programmes over 17 years. Broadcaster Kirsty Wark is among 13 …

Jeopardy! host Ken Jennings issues on-air apology to female contestant over ‘problematic’ clue

Jeopardy! host Ken Jennings issues on-air apology to female contestant over ‘problematic’ clue

Published by skeptic

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Jeopardy! host Ken Jennings was quick to apologize to a female contestant for a sexist clue featured on the show’s latest episode. During Monday’s (October 28) edition of NBC’s long-running quiz show, Jennings read a clue from the category “Complete the Rhyming Phrase.” “Men seldom make passes at…,” he recited, with the answer being: “Girls who wear glasses.” Calling the outdated phrase – which originates from 1930s New York socialite Dorothy Parker – “a little problematic,” Jennings said: “Sorry, Heather.” Fellow contestant Will Wallace, who ultimately won the game, stepped in to add his own “very.” Viewers jumped on X, formerly Twitter, to call out the show for including the sexist clue. “More like extremely problematic! #girlswithglasses #Jeopardy,” one person tweeted, with a second writing: “Jeopardy do better.” open image in gallery ‘Jeopardy’ contestants on Monday’s episode (NBC) “Still angry …

“The Contestant”: The 9 wildest moments from Hulu’s documentary about Japan’s extreme reality show

“The Contestant”: The 9 wildest moments from Hulu’s documentary about Japan’s extreme reality show

Published by skeptic

“I have always wanted to make people laugh. But there is a difference between making people laugh and being laughed at.” This is what Nasubi, a Japanese actor and comedian, tells viewers in a new documentary about the 15 months he spent naked in isolation, entering magazine sweepstakes to earn food. His ordeal, lasting from January 1998-April 1999, was broadcast to millions of people for the nascent and massively popular Japanese reality show, “Susunu! Denpa Shonen.” Clair Titley’s “The Contestant,” which saw its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023, was released on Hulu on May 2. The documentary traces more than a year in the life of the 22-year-old Tomoaki Hamatsu, better known as Nasubi, who leaves his home in rural Fukushima to pursue a career in entertainment in Tokyo. It’s there that he entered a challenge segment of “Denpa Shonen” called “A Life in Prizes.”  “A Life in Prizes” is something of a predecessor to “The Truman Show” starring Jim Carrey, which was not released until later that year. “The …

‘The Contestant’ tells the story of a man in a real-life ‘Truman Show’

‘The Contestant’ tells the story of a man in a real-life ‘Truman Show’

Published by skeptic

New York —  In January 1998, an aspiring Japanese comedian named Tomoaki Hamatsu but better known as Nasubi — or “eggplant,” because of his long face — was chosen to star in “Susunu! Denpa Shōnen,” a hit variety show. The brainchild of producer Toshio Tsuchiya, “Denpa Shōnen” featured young people competing in extreme challenges — think “Saturday Night Live” meets “Jackass.” Nasubi was selected to take part in a segment called “A Life in Prizes,” which was inspired by the magazine sweepstakes that were all the rage in Japan in the ’90s. But what should have been a triumphant breakthrough for the 22-year-old from Fukushima instead unfolded into one of the most bizarre and disturbing sagas in TV history — and is now the subject of a documentary, “The Contestant,” directed by Clair Titley and premiering Thursday on Hulu. Instead of being whisked off on a foreign adventure like other “Denpa Shōnen” contestants, Nasubi was taken to a tiny apartment furnished with a small table, a rack of magazines and a stack of blank postcards. There, …

The Contestant: How a Japanese comedian was kidnapped, stripped naked and secretly broadcast to millions

The Contestant: How a Japanese comedian was kidnapped, stripped naked and secretly broadcast to millions

Published by Sam

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Tokyo, 1999. A large studio audience watches breathlessly as a man is led, blindfolded, into the middle of the stage. The man is 24-year-old comedian Tomoaki Hamatsu (nicknamed Nasubi), and for the past 15 months, millions have tuned into Denpa Shōnen’s Life of Prizes to watch him in total isolation, surviving purely off the food, clothing and appliances that he manages to win from mail-in magazine competitions. Unbeknown to him, Nasubi is a household name, and his torturous tenure on Japanese reality television has just come to a close. Twenty-five years on, Hulu’s new documentary, The Contestant, tells the true story of how Nasubi was essentially kidnapped and non-consensually broadcast, every week, to an audience greater than the Game of Thrones finale. British director Clair Titley’s documentary begins by explaining Nasubi’s name – it means “aubergine” in Japanese and was earned because of his extraordinary, Moai statue of …

RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Nymphia Wind’s win sparks celebrations in Taiwan

RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Nymphia Wind’s win sparks celebrations in Taiwan

Published by Sam

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Nymphia Wind has sparked celebrations in Taiwan and won praise from the island’s president after becoming the first Taiwanese and East Asian drag queen to win RuPaul’s Drag Race. Wind, who is also the first non-American to win the crown, was congratulated by president Tsai Ing-Wen and incoming president Lai Ching-te. Wind, the drag persona of designer Leo Tsao, 28, was declared the winner as the 16th season of the Emmy award-winning drag queen reality competition came to a close on Saturday. For Taiwan, Wind’s win is significant. It’s not just Wind’s personal triumph, but also a cultural milestone. The country doesn’t have a United Nations membership, competes under a “Chinese Taipei” flag at the Olympics, and only has 11 diplomatic allies. Taiwan’s capital Taipei hosts Asia’s largest Pride march in October and last year even Lai participated, becoming the most senior government leader ever to march at …

‘American Idol’ Contestant Madai Chakell Mocks Luke Bryan With Accents: ‘Is Your Voice OK?’

‘American Idol’ Contestant Madai Chakell Mocks Luke Bryan With Accents: ‘Is Your Voice OK?’

Published by Sam

Things got tense on American Idol this week when contestant Madai Chakell performed Ariana Grande’s “Tattooed Heart.” The 22-year-old theatrical performer spoke with host Ryan Seacrest ahead of the performance, acknowledging that judge Luke Bryan had previously thought she wasn’t ready to be on the show because she didn’t know who she was yet.  “I definitely tapped more into myself since he said I probably didn’t really know who I was,” Madai said. “I did some more digging and found more of her. I just want to prove to Luke that I am a true performer and artist.” When Madai got on stage and began the song, she stopped partway through, saying, “Hold on. Can we start this over? I wasn’t feeling that one. Sorry, y’all.” On her second attempt, she then stopped and said she was going to try the song acapella, sharing it was “not flowing the way we practiced.” Madai Chakell on 'American Idol' – ‘American Idol’/ABC She finished the song acapella and Bryan shared his thoughts.  “So Madai, are you feeling …

‘Love Is Blind’ Star Brittany Mills Reveals Shocking Season 6 Contestant She Dated Aside From Kenneth Gorham

‘Love Is Blind’ Star Brittany Mills Reveals Shocking Season 6 Contestant She Dated Aside From Kenneth Gorham

Published by Sam

In the aftermath of the whirlwind sixth season of Netflix’s hit reality show, Love Is Blind, one contestant is shedding light on the behind-the-scenes drama that unfolded during her journey to find love.  Brittany Mills, whose engagement to Kenneth Gorham captivated audiences, recently disclosed startling details about her romantic entanglements before the show’s conclusion.  During an episode of the De-Influencing podcast on Wednesday, Brittany revealed a bombshell: she was simultaneously dating another man while navigating her relationship with Kenneth on the show.  The identity of this mystery suitor is Jimmy Presnell, who is known for his appearances alongside Chelsea Blackwell and Jessica Vestal. Netflix “I was actually dating somebody else,” Brittany confessed candidly. “And it didn’t get shown because he was in a lot of drama. And poor Kenneth, like, I had him on the edge of his seat.” Confirming Jimmy’s involvement, Brittany described him as “really smooth with his words,” hinting at the complexities of her feelings at the time. However, despite Jimmy’s charm, Brittany found solace in her faith-based connection with Kenneth. “I was …

Juan Pablo Galavis’ Daughter Camila Becomes Season’s Youngest ‘American Idol’ Contestant at 14

Juan Pablo Galavis’ Daughter Camila Becomes Season’s Youngest ‘American Idol’ Contestant at 14

Published by Sam

Juan Pablo Galavis played the role of a proud dad during Sunday’s final audition episode of American Idol. The Bachelor alum’s 14-year-old daughter, Camila Galavis, auditioned for the ABC music competition and became the youngest contestant on this season.  The freshman in high school introduced her reality star dad, telling judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan, “My dad, he’s a manager in the social media industry because he was on The Bachelor.” After Camila revealed who her famous dad is, Bryan quipped of Juan Pablo, “He’s dreamy!”  Of course, Juan Pablo made a cameo, sitting in on his daughter’s audition. He claimed that he was hesitant to have his only child head into the world of television.  Camila and Juan Pablo Galavis on 'American Idol' – ‘American Idol’/YouTube “She’s been singing since she’s little. The opportunity came. She wanted to do it, and I said, ‘I don’t know if you’re old enough.’ That was last year. They said, ‘Maybe next year,’” Juan Pablo recalled.  Singing “Rabia” by Joaquina, Camila belted out the track as …

Gladiators semi-final halted as contestant suffers injury after tackle

Gladiators semi-final halted as contestant suffers injury after tackle

Published by Sam

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Gladiators was forced to halt the competition during its most recent semi-final episode as a contestant suffered an injury that forced him to pull out of the show. Saturday’s edition (23 March) of the rebooted obstacle course challenge saw contender and software engineer Chung Leung limping away from the arena stage after being tackled in the game “Powerball”, in which the Gladiators attempt to stop their opponents from placing a ball into a goal. The game was called to an abrupt end as Leung’s injury became apparent, and he was attended to by medical staff before he was helped to the background for further attention. Presenters Bradley and Barney Walsh continued to host the rest of the episode’s events, which included the women’s Powerball round. However, the father-son duo soon returned to deliver news of Leung’s condition. “After consultations with the medical team, the decision has been made …