Latest news with #ALifeinPrizes
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC fans appalled by ‘cruel' reality show where contestant starved and stripped
The BBC has created a documentary about the experiences of a Japanese man who entered a contest that landed him on a reality TV show with 'inhumane' stipulations BBC viewers were left stunned after watching a new documentary called Storyville: The Contestant, which is now streaming on BBC iPlayer. The film explores the shocking true story of a controversial Japanese reality show that subjected its star to isolation, starvation, and humiliation for over a year while he was completely unaware that he was being watched by millions of people. The documentary tells the story of Susunu! Denpa Shonen (Do Not Proceed, Crazy Youth), a 1998 Japanese TV programme that placed 22-year-old aspiring comedian Tomoaki Hamatsu in a flat with no clothes, no food, and no contact with the outside world. He was challenged to win one million yen (around £6,000) by entering and winning mail-in magazine sweepstakes. On top of setting aside this amount of prize money that he earned via sweepstakes, he was also tasked with using the same method to procure everything he needed to survive, including his food, clothes, and even toilet paper. Although Hamatsu (who was nicknamed Nasubi on the programme) agreed to take part in the experiment, he had no idea that his every move was being broadcast to a weekly audience of 17 million people for 15 months. The show was marketed as a social experiment, and Japanese viewers were able to tune in to watch Nasubi's struggles to survive on his segment of Do Not Proceed, Crazy Youth, which was called A Life in Prizes. BBC viewers have been absolutely horrified by the way Nasubi was treated. One person took to X saying: "Watching The Contestant and that producer should be in prison for torture and war crimes that violate the UN." Another agreed: "I don't think I've ever yelled, 'That's so damn unethical,' as much as I have while watching The Contestant." Other viewers described the programme as "inhumane" and "gut-wrenching", while praising Nasubi for being "such a sweet, genuine soul". Someone else added: "If it sounds like The Truman Show, that's because it basically is. His conditions were worse than being a prisoner in jail." During his time on A Life in Prizes Nasubi survived on meals like 5kg of plain rice and even wet dog food. In his diaries, he wrote: "I don't have enough nutrition going to my brain. Being driven to the edge has brought out a madness in me." After finally reaching the prize goal, he was released, only to be tricked into repeating the ordeal for several more weeks. When he was finally freed, the walls of a new apartment collapsed to reveal a live studio audience, and Nasubi discovered he had unknowingly become a national celebrity. 25 years later Nasubi has reflected on this horrific experience, sharing: "Even if I get hurt, I want to protect people around me. Instead of revenge, I would like to use that energy for something more positive, like helping people." Nasubi now works with charities across Japan and has managed to transform his reality TV past into a source of strength. He said: "When you put energy into other people rather than just focusing on yourself, you become stronger than you could ever imagine."
Metro
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Disturbing documentary about 'most evil reality show ever' now streaming on BBC
Viewers have been shocked after discovering the details of a one-off reality series that saw its star locked up alone in a room for an entire year. In 1998 aspiring comedian Tomoaki Hamatsu attended an audition for the Japanese reality show named Susunu!Denpa Shonen or, Do not proceed, Crazy Youth. The task he was presented with was to temporarily cut himself off from the outside world and spend all of his time entering mail-in sweepstakes until he won ¥1 million (about £6,000). Although he was given the option to call it quits whenever he wanted, he decided to stay for months, determined to complete the task at hand, doing so while completely naked. For nearly a year, Hamatsu lived off winnings from magazine competitions, having to earn essential items like food, clothing and toilet paper too. Despite thinking his actions were going to air at a later date, it turned out the TV network was airing the footage live to around 17 million viewers a week in a segment called A Life in Prizes. This fact was revealed to him after being surprised by an enthusiastic studio audience at the conclusion of the show when he was taken into what he believed was another apartment, with the walls then falling apart around him. At the time he also picked up the nickname Nasubi, which he still uses today, after his genitals were covered by an eggplant (Nasubi in Japanese) in the show. The shocking story is the centre of the The Contestant, which details what unfolded at the time, whilst also investigating 'the ethical concerns of reality entertainment in the 21st century'. This week it was added onto BBC iPlayer. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video However, after tuning in, people have made it clear what happened at the time was truly 'evil'. 'Watched The Contestant and can't believe something this deceptive and cruel was allowed. He was completely humiliated for trash reality TV,' user sneeeerr posted on X. 'I'm horrified by all of this… this isn't fun or funny…,' Deja shared. 'That producer is evil,' June added. Another said the show was 'absurdly cruel', while others said they'd been left 'in tears'. Speaking to Time recently, Nasubi said 25 years after the experience, he is trying to move forward despite still holding 'hatred' towards the producer who led the show. More Trending 'I've realised that I cannot change the past but by changing how I think about who I am today I can always change the future,' he said. 'When you put energy into other people rather than just focusing on yourself you become stronger than you could ever imagine.' The Contestant is streaming on BBC iPlayer. View More » This article was originally published on May 7, 2024. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Kim Woodburn's heartfelt message to fans in final video before her death MORE: UK viewers can now watch 'masterpiece' Amazon Prime drama for free MORE: How 'Queen of the Clean' Kim Woodburn became a beloved TV star at 50
