Capture of the screen X
In this 28th edition of ‘Koh-Lanta’, ‘Les Reliques du destin’, contestant Ulrich is the target of criticism due to his misogynistic and sexist remarks.
All adventurers, but not on equal footing. Since the beginning of the 28th season of Koh-Lanta, Les Reliques du destin, the episodes have been filled with criticism from viewers about the misogynistic remarks and sexist behaviors of some of the contestants. This is not new for the adventure game show on TF1. But this time, it goes a bit further.
From the first episode, some viewers noticed the way the yellow team leader, Paul, singled out Clemence during team composition: “We’re going to orient ourselves towards Clemence, but we need to correct her right away,” he said before choosing the young woman, deemed too tempestuous.
Since then, examples have multiplied, and the female contestants no longer hesitate to speak out after their elimination is known by all. Like Karine, a specialist in Polynesian canoe (but whose advice for paddling was barely listened to before a male contestant took the lead, she was even judged ‘too directive‘, ironic). She has since told 20 Minutes that it was “very complicated to advance in Koh-Lanta as a woman over 45 years old.”
Ulrich in the eye of the storm
This contestant has attracted numerous criticisms this year. “Koh-Lanta is not for the weak (…) Physically, I would be above average,” he claimed while lifting tires in a gym in his profile. The big tough guy of this edition is not comfortable in the water. To the point where he had his bag removed by others to facilitate the collective crossing of an inlet. Gently mocked upon his arrival at camp, he was never truly concerned.
However, he doesn’t forgive any slip-ups. Clemence paid the price after panicking during a breath-holding challenge. Despite offering her apologies to her teammates, Ulrich criticized her. “She is useless. She spends the whole day looking pretty on the beach. She is only good at talking, laughing loudly,” he whispered behind her back. Hurt by his mockery (which he later pretended to apologize for), Clemence was eliminated shortly after.
Ulrich’s case has taken on new proportions with a food distribution issue, a recurring subject on Koh-Lanta. “Women don’t eat as much as men. Men expend three times more energy than women,” he said without filter around the campfire. This disheartened Clemence Castel, a spectator of the show and incidentally a double winner of Koh-Lanta. “Not at all in agreement,” she replied from afar on social media, also mentioning Ulrich’s weaknesses in water. The exchange turned into a denunciation of Ulrich.
Trivialization of masculinist discourse
13 women to 15 men have already won a regular season of Koh-Lanta. Proof that gender has little to do with a final victory. But according to the HuffPost, essayist Valerie Rey-Robert, author of Reality TV: The Sexism Factory (Les Insolentes editions), cites a multitude of objectively sexist elements inherent in the TF1 program.
“The challenges are primarily designed for men with short tests of strength and endurance. Women are systematically disadvantaged,” she recalled. “Of all the seasons, 113 challenges were won by women against 60-70 by men,” defended the producer Alexia Laroche-Joubert already in 2020 when her show was criticized for sexism in a report by the High Council for Gender Equality.
Another issue highlighted by Valerie Rey-Robert, glaring this season, is “the women’s reflex to want to keep men, even the worst. And especially the fact that women’s strategies are always perceived as more deceitful. Women are cunning, men are intelligent.” And conversely, men’s reflex to want to eliminate women first, always seen as weaker. Proof: since the beginning of this season of Les Reliques du destin, four women have already been eliminated, compared to only one man.
TF1/ALP/A.Issock
43-year-old bus driver, Ulrich annoys many viewers with his sexist remarks and perceived masculinist reflections.
But what makes the phenomenon more worrying today is that it seems more complex. Like the trivialization of masculinist discourse on social media. Whether intentional or not, Ulrich takes advantage of a significant platform to roll out a sexist discourse, while deliberately provoking online on the subject, stating in response to a follower: “No, I’m a misogynist Pro max, it’s even a step above.” The essayist regrets these missteps. “It’s the return of current stick with guys openly claiming their masculinism. It has always been the case, but in our time, it shocks us even more,” she judges.
Contacted by Le HuffPost, the production of Koh-Lanta did not respond to our requests. However, it would have been pertinent to hear their views on the importance of prevention around this family program, the attention given during casting to certain types of behaviors, or the preparation of future selected adventurers in terms of equality. It would not be surprising to see Denis Brogniart remind the contestants of certain rules of communal living and food distribution, whether in front or away from the cameras, to set certain things right. Even if watches are prohibited on Koh-Lanta.
