De Grote Donorshow

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De Grote Donorshow was a Dutch television program that aired on June 1, 2007, on the BNN network. The show was created by Endemol, a Dutch-based media company known for producing reality television formats. It sparked international controversy and debate over its premise, which involved a terminally ill patient choosing one of three contestants to receive her kidneys. The program was later revealed to be a hoax, intended to draw attention to the shortage of organ donors in the Netherlands and to encourage viewers to consider becoming organ donors.

Premise

The show featured a 37-year-old woman named "Lisa," who was said to be suffering from a terminal brain tumor. Throughout the program, Lisa was presented with three candidates, each in need of a kidney transplant. The contestants shared their personal stories, explaining why they should receive Lisa's kidney. Viewers were led to believe that they could influence the decision through SMS voting, though the final decision would rest with Lisa.

Controversy

De Grote Donorshow attracted widespread criticism before it even aired. Many accused the show of being in poor taste and unethical, arguing that it trivialized the serious issue of organ donation and the plight of those waiting for transplants. The Dutch Kidney Foundation expressed concern that the program might negatively impact the public's willingness to become organ donors.

International media outlets and the global public were equally divided, with some condemning the show and others curious about its outcome. The controversy reached such a height that even the Dutch government commented on the matter, with some officials calling for the program to be cancelled.

Reveal and Aftermath

At the end of the broadcast, it was revealed that "Lisa" was not actually terminally ill, and the entire show had been staged. The contestants were aware that it was a hoax designed to provoke discussion about organ donation. BNN and Endemol defended the program, stating that their intention was to highlight the critical shortage of organ donors in the Netherlands and to encourage viewers to register as donors.

Following the reveal, public opinion was mixed. Some praised the show for bringing attention to an important issue in a bold manner, while others felt manipulated and maintained that the ends did not justify the means.

Impact

Despite the controversy, De Grote Donorshow succeeded in raising awareness about organ donation. In the days following the broadcast, the number of registrations to the Dutch organ donor database saw a significant increase. The show also sparked international discussions about the ethics of reality television and the lengths to which producers might go to engage viewers.

See Also

• Reality television
• Organ donation
• Ethics in television