John de Mol has made a deal with ABC to adapt The Golden Cage, a show he describes as "Big Brother meets Dallas. Or Dynasty." With hookers.
The Golden Cage-- De Gouden Kooi-- was the original working title for Big Brother when de Mol developed the show nearly a decade ago in Holland. The title finally got used for a show that premiered on Dutch TV in September. The concept is pretty simple: Ten people are placed in a luxury mansion, and live like millionaires, with servants, big parties, and-- in Holland at least-- prostitutes! (See the NSFW screen grabs here.)
Whoever lasts longest wins the house and cash.
Sounds easy. And sounds like the show could last for years. But there's a catch:
Everyone, of course, is under 24-hour surveillance, broadcast on TV and the web. And contestants have limited contact with family, friends and the outside world. So some wind up wanting out (The only way players leave the game is if they choose to, or during twice-monthly "firings," which require unanimous votes).
Sez de Mol: "I compare it to a Broadway musical. It's an open-ended reality show where nobody knows how long it's going to last. The format is so bloody simple, you wonder why we haven't thought of it before."
To make sure contestants were serious, the Dutch Golden Cage required contestants pay an "entrance fee" of about $14,000 to get on the show (proceeds went to charity).
De Mol's got other projects ready to import to America including a ganme show called One Million Whats,. Contestants know how much they can win (a million)-- but they don't know how it's paid-- dollars, pesos, sea urchins-- or hookers?