Loft Story (French TV series)

Description

Loft Story is a slightly re-tooled version of the Dutch-created Big Brother, toned down slightly for the French market by production company Endemol. The initial French Loft Story inspired the creation of a similar show of the same name in Quebec. The famous eye logo is used by both Loft Story versions. It evokes the voyeuristic eye of the television viewer as she or he watches the Lofteurs live in front of the cameras. Some of them get gradually voted off the show by viewers on their phones and the last couple win a house. It caused great controversy in France and the house was attacked by protesters.

Series 1

Start Date: 26 April 2001
End Date: 5 July 2001
The prize: 3,000,000-franc₣ worth house (€450,000)

Nominations Table

The contestants released a music single under the name 'Les Lofteurs'; 'Up and Down' reached number one in the French charts.

Notes:
^Note 1 : From now on they will award each Lofteur points, their favourite will receive maximum points and their least favourite will receive 1 point. The 2 or more with the least number of points will be up for nomination.

Series 2

Start Date: 11 April 2002
End Date: 4 July 2002
Prize: €250,000 + €250,000

Criticism

Loft Story became a craze when it was screened, but as it went on, it became extremely criticized, mocked and belittled by the media: the premise of ordinary young people being filmed most of the time in a cozy loft (and letting themselves out, they got a reputation of being stupid), being voted off by people on phones and getting to win money at the end, got it called high-rate "garbage tv".

Loft Story is considered to be the precursor of reality shows in France where the contestants get voted off by viewers.

Like other Big Brother-style programs, the show's sexual content was criticized as several contestants were seen having intercourse on camera.