Overview
- RTL’s entertainment chief says roughly 90% of the Dschungelprüfungen are newly designed, with a major change to be revealed in the first live show.
- The network states that any challenge using live animals must be pre-approved by Australia’s RSPCA, which checks origin, transport and care and can conduct unannounced inspections.
- Controversy over contestant Gil Ofarim persists after his admitted false antisemitism allegation in 2019, and his brother Tal told the warm-up show audience not to expect new disclosures during the program.
- Most participants have reached Australia, with notable hiccups including Nicole Belstler-Boettcher being stopped by customs over cat food and Claudia Obert’s travel scramble due to a missing passport.
- Umut Tekin reported a December ER visit but says he is fit and en route, while Hubert Fella plans to compete despite a knee tear he intends to operate on after the show; the season runs for 17 live broadcasts through Feb. 8.