Jungle camp 2024: We want to see heroes again

Opinion

“I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!”
We want to see heroes! Why the jungle camp is more than just trash TV

Every year the jungle camp causes enthusiastic but also disgusted reactions. It has often proven that it can be more than just trash television. The show shows us the depths to which those who stare are capable – and we as viewers with them.

There is snow chaos in Germany. The Christmas holidays are now only a vague memory, the gluttony and celebration of the holidays have long since given way to the January blues. People are protesting in the streets. But there is also hope in 2024, at least in the TV program. Like almost every year, twelve more or less well-known German celebrities are coming to Australia RTL jungle camp move to Murwillumbah to give us fans an opportunity to cultivate our own schadenfreude in front of our screens.

Jungle Camp 2024: What makes the camp so good

The attractiveness of each season depends on the cast. In 2024 there will be several stars who could set the mood. Heinz Hoenig is probably the best-known name among the campers, but it is rarely the biggest celebrities who provide the most exciting moments. Logical: They simply have less need to stage themselves for airtime. The RTL dating show challenge cup Kim Virginia could cause trouble this year. “I’m probably the biggest chick that ever existed in the jungle!” she said beforehand. A superlative that raises hopes among fans. The same applies to Leyla Lahouar, who moves in with the dubious recommendation that she has already been kicked out of a dating format because she became violent. RTL knows how to cast explosiveness.

A Cora Schumacher could also initiate stimulating campfire conversations if she opens up about her marriage to Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher or about her dalliances since their separation. Meanwhile, Sarah Kern wants to show the “strong, likeable Sarah” and “not the rich bitch from before”. So one can hope that the desolation of 2015 is not repeated – when the most boring bunch of stars ever were sent to Murwillumbah. For two weeks the campers slept comfortably on their bunks, with hardly any sign of interpersonal feuds, intrigues and drama. The sharp-tongued and clever jokes of Sonja Zietlow and Daniel Hartwich fizzled out without any response.

From trash TV to moral study

Season five, with the drama about Sarah “Dingens” Knappik, is unmatched so far. Unforgettable was how (almost) all of TV Germany suddenly gathered in front of the TV sets in January to watch the former GNTM model become persona non grata in the jungle camp. Suddenly what was a light entertainment format became a moral study, including about one’s own reservations and reflexes. The audience witnessed how the elderly and experienced actor Mathieu Carrière pathetically begged the young model to leave the camp; how most of the camp residents gathered on the jungle telephone to give the producers the choice: either we go or they go! And the fans were able to experience live how one man developed into a zen-like, balancing authority: Peer Kusmagk.

Kusmagk, who was rather inconspicuous and pale beforehand, was rewarded with the crown in the end. This is also where the quality of the show should prove itself: In the best case scenario, it can show what happens when a group of self-promoters seeking recognition meets each other. It reveals shadows and abysses, illuminated by the spotlight. And, perhaps most importantly, it can still create heroes. In this case Kusmagk, who kept a cool head, yes, one could even say: the person stayed.

Because that’s exactly what it’s all about every year in the jungle camp: Who proves themselves human? Be it through his special humor (Hello, Evelyn Burdecki!) or through his stand-up qualities (see Menderes Bağcı). A big name alone is not enough for the jungle crown, as has been proven often enough in the past.

“I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!” is all too often decried by critics as a trash format, as a voyeuristic template, as if it were only about eating maggots and skinny dipping. Not even close. As an “Ibes” fan, after 20 years, it’s tiring to defend the show every year. And it’s not necessary, the sustainable success speaks for itself. A request to the campers at this point: The jungle camp is not a vacation for you – we want to see you fight, suffer, laugh and be surprised!

Transparency note: The star is part of RTL Germany.