Since its launch in 1990, Fort Boyard has established itself as a cult show, combining physical challenges, puzzles and team spirit in an impressive setting. After French, Canadian, Spanish and even Ukrainian versions, it is now Belgium’s turn to offer its own version of the famous game show.
Broadcast on the Belgian channel Tipik, this Sunday, December 15, 2024, this new version of Fort Boyard sparked mixed reactions among viewers and Internet users. While some welcome the modernization of the program, others regret the changes made, judging that the magic of yesteryear is lost.
Fort Boyard: a new version arrives in Belgium
The concept of Fort Boyard is well known: candidates must take on a series of challenges in order to collect keys, solve puzzles and fight against time to recover as many boyars as possible. The show made a name for itself thanks to its unique setting, its colorful characters like Father Fouras, the “master of riddles”, and its spectacular trials.
In the Belgian version, the production decided to breathe new life into the game by making some notable modifications, both in terms of the events and the casting. For this program filmed in June, the guest personalities were: Sara De Paduwa, Typh Barrow, Nicolas Lacroix, Jill Vandermeulen and Gabriel Da Costa, who stormed the fort of Père Fouras to collect as many boyars as possible, for the benefit of the association Viva for Life. Concerning the presentation, it was Olivier Minne who retained his role as essential host.
A new version that divides
Very quickly, Belgian viewers expressed their annoyance regarding many points of the show. Starting with the modification or deletion of certain emblematic events, certainly due to lack of budget. Internet users also point to the establishment of new tests, which seem more oriented towards entertainment and comedy, to the detriment of the “adventure” and “reality” aspect that fans of the program expected.
Another recurring criticism concerns the absence of certain iconic characters. Father Fouras, who was one of the pillars of the program, saw his role reduced in this Belgian version. Certain emblematic characters like Willy Rovelli, Blanche (Delphine Wespiser) or even Cyril Gossbo were also conspicuous by their absence.
On social networks, a wave of criticism fell regarding this Belgian version. “The show is too shortened, the sequence is not the same and the money level at the end is really not comparable with the money collected in the French version. If RTBF does not know how to be at the level of France 2, it was better to abstain” for example, said an Internet user. “I was disappointed because a lot of footage was missing” confirmed another.
“I had a great time on TV, Sara was a perfect coach” however qualified another viewer. A feeling confirmed by another Internet user: “I loved it, I was amazed by Sara, Nicolas and Jill”.
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