To mark an anniversary, RTL lets some ex-campers move back into its television wilderness. They deliver what was ordered – escalation at record speed. One camper appears particularly conspicuous.
Absurd gaps in knowledge, shortness of breath due to a waterbuck penis and a real revolt against the management: The RTL jungle camp is back on the screen. The first episode of the new season, released on Thursday on the streaming service RTL+, was, as usual, highly emotional and loud. At the center of the fuss, tears and screaming: the former “Cologne 50667” actor David Ortega, who accused his fellow campers of bullying (“You are such a disgrace!”). They retaliated with a kind of civil uprising against the 38-year-old bearded man.
But first things first: The new season is not a regular edition of the reality show, but a special edition. The occasion is the 20th anniversary of the show, which first aired in 2004. A lot is different this time. RTL is not broadcasting the format at the beginning of the year, but in the summer. The setting is not Australia, but South Africa. The show is not live, but already recorded. And: The campers are all campers who have already appeared in previous seasons. “Legends”, as RTL calls them.
People like presenter Giulia Siegel (49), actor Winfried Glatzeder (79), ex-footballer Thorsten Legat (55) and reality star Gigi Birofio (25) are fighting for food and dignity. And David Ortega, who was eliminated early in his 2016 season and looks noticeably different today than he did then. His once razor-short hair has given way to a fluffy mane and a druid beard.
Kader Loth is annoyed
Just as striking as the change in personality is his behavior in the camp shortly after moving in. Early in the morning, for example, he sits by the campfire next to a roll of toilet paper and raves about children’s TV shows and leopards. He suddenly asks reality veteran Kader Loth (51) whether she was born in Germany. She replies, sleepily annoyed: “I don’t even know where I am right now!” A prelude to major discontent.
Inexplicably, Ortega is then appointed as the so-called team leader. This is not an honorary position, but rather one that is generally understood to have legislative power, as the team leader organizes the jungle camp.
This increase in power, combined with the existing scepticism of his colleagues (Gigi: “He’s a bit creepy. I don’t want him to come in the night”), leads to an escalation. As so often, the argument ignites over the topic of veganism. In the first big joint test, the campers once again have to choke down all sorts of disgusting things. While Sarah Knappik (37) downs several glasses of pureed goat stomach and then looks as if she’s just come from a zombie film casting with her mouth covered in blood, Ortega refuses. Instead, he refers to the Ten Commandments.
“Shame on you all!”
Afterwards, he felt that his fellow campaigners were “not taking veganism seriously.” The man, who still calls himself a “great peace politician,” yelled at his colleagues: “Shame on you all!” The result: a spontaneous plenary session was held, which removed Ortega as team leader. Mola Adebisi (51) was supposed to deliver the news and started the conversation like a department head who had to kick someone out after attending a seminar on non-violent communication. He said to Ortega: “You also need a general update.” They failed to calm the argument.
If all of this is too conflict-ridden for you, you can also find amusement in the jungle – especially with Kader Loth. The grande dame of trash TV (“I am one of the most serious people in Germany.”) finds herself in the awkward position of having to greet Winfried Glatzeder, the former “Belmondo of the East”, which she clearly finds difficult. “Winfried… Glatzer”, she says. “But I thought they were long dead.” She recaps his successful film “The Legend of Paul and Paula” as “Paula and Paulina”.
Meanwhile, reality star Gigi Birofio fails to smuggle cigarettes into the camp in his pants – close to his bottom. However, he shows what the body part can do a little later when he flatulences loudly in front of presenter Sonja Zietlow. This reminds knowledgeable jungle viewers of a scene from his 2023 season. The term “jungle legend” has many shades.
Shortness of breath due to waterbuck penis
Meanwhile, the always highly motivated ex-footballer Thorsten Legat experiences a dramatic moment. During the food test, he munches on chopped waterbuck penis with concentration – shortly afterwards, his face turns red. Several campers and presenter Sonja Zietlow rush over to slap Legat on the back. “I couldn’t breathe,” the ex-footballer finally explains, visibly shaken, when the situation has been resolved. The disgusting food got stuck.
What was not seen at the start: reality candidate Elena Miras (32), who was announced as a participant but has not yet appeared. According to RTL.de, she will join the jungle squad later as a surprise. Sonja Zietlow was also seen as the sole presenter for large parts of the show. Co-presenter Jan Köppen had a fever at the time of recording and had to rest.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
