Koh-Lanta

Last updated
Koh-Lanta
Genre Reality competition
Created by Charlie Parsons
Presented by
Theme music composer
  • Philippe Pelet
  • Olivier Perrot-Poitou
Country of originFrance
No. of seasons25 + 7 special editions.
Production
ProducerCorinne Vaillant
Production company Adventure Line Productions
Original release
Network TF1
ReleaseAugust 4, 2001 (2001-08-04) 
Present (Present)
Related
International versions

Koh-Lanta is a French reality game show based on the popular international Survivor format. The series premiered on August 4, 2001. The show is broadcast on TF1 and there have been 22 regular seasons and 7 special seasons. The show has been hosted by Denis Brogniart since the second season. The title of the show Thai "Ko Lanta" (roughly translated as "the island of a million eyes") - not only is this a reference to the televised nature of the competition (with millions of viewers watching the show) but the title is also the name of filming location of the first season (Ko Lanta Yai, Thailand).

Contents

Following the basic premise of other international versions of the Survivor format, it features a group of contestants who are marooned in an isolated location, where they must provide food, water, fire, and shelter for themselves. The contestants compete in challenges for rewards and immunity from elimination. The contestants are progressively eliminated from the game as they are voted out by their fellow contestants until only one remains and is declared the winner and awarded the grand prize of €100,000. Since its debut in 2001, Koh-Lanta has been a huge success in France, regularly finishing first in its timeslot.

Format and rules

The show follows the same general format as the other editions of the show. The players are split between two "tribes", are taken to a remote isolated location and are forced to live off the land with meagre supplies for approximately 6 weeks (3 weeks in special seasons). Frequent physical and mental challenges are used to pit the teams against each other for rewards, such as food or luxuries, or for "immunity", forcing the other tribe to attend "Tribal Council", where they must vote off one of their players.

Once about half the players are remaining, the tribes are merged into a single tribe, and competitions are on an individual basis; winning immunity prevents that player from being voted out. Most players that are voted out at this stage form the "Tribal Council Jury". Once down to two people, a final Tribal Council is held where the remaining players plead their case to the jury as to why they should win the game. The jury then decides who between the two should be considered the winner and be awarded the grand prize of €100,000, with the runner-up being awarded €10,000.

Differences in format

Unlike most versions of Survivor, dual winners are possible in some seasons where the jury vote resulted in a tie (as occurred in Koh-Lanta: Bocas del Toro, Koh-Lanta: Palawan and Koh-Lanta: The Cursed Totem). In this case both contestants are considered the winners and each receive €55,000. This differs from most editions of the show as other editions will either never have a jury with an even number of participants or have tie-breaker mechanisms in place (such as Israeli Survivor where the tie will break in favor of the winner of a public vote [1] or in Dutch/Belgian's Expeditie Robinson where a group of former players form a "grand jury" and vote to break the tie).

Another difference in rules between Koh-Lanta and other editions is how the unexpected eliminations are handled. On Koh-Lanta, when a player is eliminated from the game outside of "Tribal Council" (either by being removed for medical reasons, or quitting prior to Raja Ampat ), the player is replaced by the most recently eliminated player (or, if no such player is available, by a completely new contestant), who will take their place and the game continues as planned. In other editions, an unexpected elimination is handled by adjusting the events of the game to accommodate the absence of a player (often the upcoming Tribal Council will be cancelled but this will not always be the case).

Seasons

List of Koh-Lanta seasons
No.SeasonSeason premiereSeason finaleLocationDaysInitial tribesWinnerRunner-upFinal vote
1 The Adventurers of Koh-Lanta August 4, 2001September 22, 2001 Ko Lanta Yai, Thailand 43Two predetermined tribes of eight.Gilles NicoletGuénaëlle Biras4-3
2 Koh-Lanta: Nicoya June 28, 2002September 13, 2002 Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica 40Amel FatnassiNicolas Roy5-2
3 Koh-Lanta: Bocas del Toro June 6, 2003August 29, 2003 Bocas del Toro, Panama Two tribes of eight, picked by the oldest contestants.Isabelle Seguin & Delphine Bano3-3
4 Koh-Lanta: Panama July 2, 2004August 31, 2004 Pearl Islands, Panama Two tribes of eight, divided by genderPhilippe BordierLinda Alario7-0
5 Koh-Lanta: Pacific July 1, 2005September 6, 2005 Isle of Pines, New Caledonia Two tribes of eight, based on age.Clémence CastelFrancis Bordas7-0
6 Koh-Lanta: Vanuatu July 21, 2006September 5, 2006 Efate, Vanuatu François-David CardonnelÉmilie Frahi5-3
7 Koh-Lanta: Palawan June 29, 2007September 11, 2007 Palawan, Philippines Two tribes of eight, picked by winners of the initial challenge.Jade Handi & Kevin Cuoco3-3
8 Koh-Lanta: Caramoan July 4, 2008September 20, 2008 Caramoan, Philippines 39Christelle GauzetFrédéric "Fred" Favier6-1
9 Koh-Lanta: Palau August 28, 2009October 30, 2009 Koror, Palau Two tribes of eight, picked by the oldest and youngest player. Two players eliminated at the first challenge.Christina ChevryPatrick Merle5-2
10 Koh-Lanta: Vietnam September 17, 2010December 17, 2010 Con Dao, Vietnam 40Two tribes of nine, divided by gender.Philippe DuronClaude Dartois6-1
11 Koh-Lanta: Raja Ampat September 9, 2011December 16, 2011 Raja Ampat, Indonesia 41Two predetermined tribes of ten.Gérard UrdampilletaTeheiura Teahui7-2
12 Koh-Lanta: Malaysia November 2, 2012February 1, 2013 Seribuat, Malaysia 42Two tribes of eight, picked by winners of initial challenge. Four non-picked players exiled until after the next reward challenge.Ugo LarticheBrice Martinet10-1
13 Koh-Lanta 13 Did Not Air Koh Rong, Cambodia Cancelled - Production Halted
14 Koh-Lanta: Johor April 24, 2015July 24, 2015 Sibu Island, Malaysia 40Two tribes of ten, picked by finder of hidden message and second player of his choice.Marc RambaudChantal Ménard9-2
15 Koh-Lanta: Thailand February 12, 2016May 27, 2016 Ko Yao, Thailand Two tribes of nine, picked by the youngest contestants. Two other players exiled until after the first Tribal Council.Wendy GervoisPascal Salviani6-5
16 Koh-Lanta: Island of Tresure August 26, 2016December 9, 2016 Koh Rong, Cambodia 42Two tribes of ten, picked by the winner of an initial challenge and second player of his choice.Benoît AssadiJesta Hillmann10-0
17 Koh-Lanta: Cambodia March 10, 2017June 16, 201740Three predetermined tribes of six. One additional player added to each tribe on day four.Frédéric BlancherClémentine Jullien6-2
18 Koh-Lanta: Fiji September 1, 2017December 15, 2017 Yasawa Islands, Fiji 41Two tribes of ten, based on age.André DeleplaceTiffany Gounin8-1
19Koh-Lanta 19Did Not Air Kadavu Group, Fiji Cancelled - Production Halted
20 Koh-Lanta: Chiefs at War 15 March 201921 June 201939Three tribes of seven picked by the three new chiefs who won the pole challenge at the beginningMaud BampsCindy Poumeyrol7-6
21 Koh-Lanta: The Four Lands 28 August 20204 December 202040Four tribes of six, divided by geography of player's hometown (North, South, East, West)Alexandra PornetBrice Petit7-5
22 Koh-Lanta: The Secret Weapons 12 March 20214 June 2021 Taha'a, French Polynesia 35Two tribes picked by the two winning pairs of the initial challenge. One additional player later joins one tribe on day five.Maxine Eouzan Lucie Bertaud 9-4
23 Koh-Lanta: The Cursed Totem 22 February 202221 June 2022 El Nido, Palawan, Philippines 39Three tribes randomly drawn.Bastien San Pedro & François DescampGéraldine Nicolle4-4-3
24 Koh-Lanta: The Sacred Fire 21 February 202313 June 2023 Caramoan, Philippines 40Two tribes of ten randomly drawn based on where they stood on marooning.Frédéric KhouvilayTania Čakarević7-2
25 Koh-Lanta: The Immunity Hunters 13 February 20244 June 202438Two predetermined tribes of ten. One additional player for each tribe on day four after reward challenge.Léa SahinMeïssa Seck8-3
26 Koh-Lanta: The Cursed Tribe 20 August 2024Winter 202441Two tribes of new players and two former winners. The "Cursed Tribe" is the third one, however its function is still unknown.TBD
List of Koh-Lanta special seasons
No.SeasonSeason premiereSeason finaleLocationDaysInitial tribesWinnerRunner-upFinal vote
1 Koh-Lanta: Return of the Heroes January 13, 2009February 13, 2009 Rio Negro, Amazonas, Brazil 21Two tribes of six former players, based on a draw. Two players eliminated in initial challenge.Romuald LafiteJade Handi5-2
2 Koh-Lanta: Clash of the Heroes March 26, 2010May 21, 2010 Poum, New Caledonia 20Two tribes of six, former players against famous sportspeople. One additional player added to each tribe on day 4.Grégoire DelachauxFreddy Boucher6-2
3 Koh-Lanta: Revenge of the Heroes April 8, 2012June 1, 2012 Koh Rong, Cambodia 23Two predetermined tribes of eight former players.Bertrand BolleClaude Dartois9-1
4 Koh-Lanta: The New Edition September 12, 2014November 21, 2014 Sibu Island, Malaysia Two tribes of six former players. Tribes formed after first Tribal Council by two latecomers.Laurent MaistretMartin Bazin7-0
5 Koh-Lanta: The Combat of Heroes 16 March 201825 May 2018 Yasawa Islands, Fiji 32Two predetermined tribes of nine former players.Clémence CastelPascal Salviani5-4
6 Koh-Lanta: Island of Heroes 21 February 20205 June 2020 Kadavu Group, Fiji Two tribes of seven new players. Five returning players compete in challenges to each join one of the two tribes (only four of them will join the tribes)Naoil TitaInès Loucif7-2
7 Koh-Lanta: The Legend 24 August 202114 December 2021 Taha'a, French Polynesia 36Two tribes of ten former players separated by gender. One additional player added to one tribe day 2.Claude DartoisLaurent Maistret9-4

Controversy

Season 5 controversy

A wedge-tailed shearwater. Wedge tailed shearwater2.jpg
A wedge-tailed shearwater.

During the broadcast of the second episode (July 8, 2005 in France and July 10, 2005 in New Caledonia), [2] participants had to kill and cook wedge-tailed shearwaters, a species of fully protected bird in New Caledonia. This caused that several spectators demanded explanations to the TF1 channel. TF1 responded that according to the LPO (in English, League for the Protection of Birds), wedge-tailed shearwater are not a protected species. LPO asked the CSA (broadcasting regulator in France) to take up the case, and the latter also decided to initiate legal action against TF1 and the producer of the Adventure Line Productions program.

The petition against the production company was accepted, therefore TF1 was ordered to pay the LPO €1,000 in damages and €2,000 for procedural expenses, while the TF1 channel lawsuit against the LPO was rejected. [3]

Season 13 cancellation

Production for the 2013 season was cancelled following the death of a contestant, Gérald Babin, during the first day of filming in Cambodia on 22 March 2013. [4] The program's on-site doctor, Thierry Costa, committed suicide following the controversy. [5] Production later resumed for Koh-Lanta: The New Edition .

The death of Babin marked the second death of a contestant on any edition of Survivor worldwide. The first (and so far only other) death occurred on the 4th season of Bulgarian Survivor (titled Survivor BG: Philippines) when contestant Noncho Vodenicharov died, however unlike Koh-Lanta the production of the series continued.

Season 19 cancellation

On 11 May 2018, TF1 and the production company Adventure Line Productions (ALP) announced the cancellation of the season following an alleged sexual assault. [6]

See also

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Koh-Lanta: Panama was the fourth season of the French version of Survivor, Koh-Lanta. Like season three, this season was held in Panama but in the archipelago of Las Perlas. It was broadcast TF1 from Friday July 2, 2004 to Tuesday August 31, 2004. This season the contestants were initially divided into two tribes known as Chapera and Mogo, both of which consisted of eight contestants of the same gender. Following a tribal swap on day eight many contestants found themselves living on new tribes. Due to two evacuations that occurred this season, both Linda and Sophie returned to the game following their initial eliminations.

Koh-Lanta: Pacifique was the fifth season of the French version of Survivor Koh-Lanta. This season was held in New Caledonia on the Isle of Pines. It was broadcast on TF1 from Tuesday July 5, 2005 to Tuesday August 31, 2004. The two tribes original tribes this season were Kanawa and Kumo. Episode one of this saw the first ever double tribal council to occur in the history of Koh-Lanta. The reason for this was because it was discovered that the Kumo tribe had all openly discussed who would be leaving at the first tribal council. Due to the voluntary exit of Aude, a joker, Caroline entered the game in episode two. This also caused the re-entrance of Francis into the competition.

Koh-Lanta: Palawan was the seventh season of the French version of Survivor, Koh-Lanta. This season took place in Philippines in Palawan, and was broadcast on TF1 from June 29, 2007 to September 11, 2007 airing on Fridays at 6:55 p.m. The two original tribes this season were Batang and Guntao. Due to the voluntary exits of Ali and Andrien, both Grégoire and Pascale re-entered the competition after their initial eliminations. This season, like in Bocas del Toro, both finalists received three jury votes and were both given the titles of Survivor.

Koh-Lanta: Caramoan was the eighth season of the French version of Survivor. This season took place on the Caramoan Peninsula, and was broadcast on TF1 from July 4, 2008 to September 20, 2008 airing on Fridays at 6:55 p.m. The two original tribes this season were Mingao and Tayak. Because Valérie and Céga left the game early, Irya came back into the game, and Alain joined later on.

<i>Koh-Lanta: Fidji</i> Season of television series

Koh-Lanta: Fidji is the 18th season of the French version of Survivor, Koh-Lanta. This season took place in Fiji on the Yasawa Islands, and is aired on TF1. The main twist this season is that the two tribes of 10 are divided into tribes based on their ages. Those 30 and under are members of the Coravu tribe. Those 30 and over are members of the Makawa tribe. The season premiered on September 1, 2017.

<i>Koh-Lanta: Le Combat des Héros</i> Season of television series

Koh-Lanta: Le Combat des Héros is the 22nd season and the 5th All-Star season of the French version of Survivor, Koh-Lanta. This season, like last season, takes place in Fiji on the Yasawa Islands, and airs on TF1. The main twist this season is that after a contestant is voted out, they are sent to L'île de l'Exil where they will face against other eliminated contestants for a chance to return to the game. This is the first season in which contestants who are eliminated in circumstances that do not involve being voted off are not replaced by the last eliminated contestant. The season premiered on 16 March 2018 and concluded on 25 May 2018 where Clémence Castel was crowned as the Sole Survivor in a close 5-4 jury vote against Pascal Salviani becoming the first two-time winner of Koh-Lanta.

Koh-Lanta: Cambodge is the 17th season of the French version of Survivor, Koh-Lanta. This season takes place in Koh Rong, Cambodia in the same location in which the previous season, Koh-Lanta: L'Île au Trésor was filmed. The main twist this season is instead of having the two traditional tribes, there are three in this season. In addition on day 4, three contestants were added to the game; one for each tribe. The season premiered on 10 March 2017 & concluded on 16 June 2017 where Frédéric Blancher won in a 6-2 jury vote against Clémentine Jullien to be crowned the Sole Survivor.

Koh-Lanta: Thaïlande is the 15th season of the French version of Survivor, Koh-Lanta. This season takes place in the Ko Yao District in Thailand where 21 contestants survive for 40 days on a deserted island to try and win €100 000. The main twist this season is that everyone starts off on a single beach for the first day. The next day, the contestants have to decide which two will stay on the island until after the first tribal council. The island later became a place where each tribe had to send one of their members to be exiled, missing the immunity challenge but also tribal council. On the island, there are immunity collars that the contestants can find that they can play at tribal council and have all votes against them removed; sending the person with the second most votes home. The season aired on TF1 from 12 February until 27 May 2016 where Wendy Gervois won against Pascal Salviani in a close 6–5 vote.

<i>Koh-Lanta: La Guerre des Chefs</i> Season of television series

Koh-Lanta: La Guerre des Chefs was the 20th season of the French reality game show from the popular television series, Koh-Lanta. The season premiered in France on TF1 on 15 March 2019, and concluded on 21 June 2019. The season was produced by Adventure Line Productions. Filming for the season began soon after the previous season was cancelled due to a sexual allegation.

<i>Koh-Lanta: LÎle des héros</i> Season of television series

Koh-Lanta: L'Île des héros is the twenty-fourth season and the sixth special season of the French version of Survivor, Koh-Lanta. This season, for the first time in Koh-Lanta, fourteen new contestants will be playing alongside five All-Stars who have never won the game. The five All-Stars will compete in a series of challenges to join one of the two tribes. In addition, two of the new contestants were former contestants on the cancelled season in 2018. The one All-Star who fails to win the challenges will be eliminated. The season premiered on 21 February 2020.

Koh-Lanta: Johor is the fourteenth season of the French version of Survivor, Koh-Lanta. This season takes place in Sibu Island, Johor, Malaysia where 20 ordinary people will survive in the wilderness for 40 days. In the end, one will win €100,000 and be crowned Sole Survivor. The main twist this season occurred on day 4 where each tribe had to banish two tribe mates to an island where they will stay indefinitely until further notice. The season premiered on 24 April 2015 and concluded on 24 July 2015 when Marc Rambaud won in a 9-2 jury vote against Chantel Ménard to be crowned Sole Survivor.

<i>Koh-Lanta: Les 4 Terres</i> Season of television series

Koh-Lanta: Les 4 Terres is the twenty-first regular season and the twenty-fifth season overall of the French reality television series Koh-Lanta. For the first time in the show's history, four tribes representing a region of France will compete against each other, in challenges to win rewards as well as immunity to avoid being sent to tribal council and vote off one of their own. A big twist this season is for the first time, none of the starting tribes have the traditional colours of Koh-Lanta; red and yellow. In addition, 24 contestants compete for 40 days to win €100,000 and win the title of Sole Survivor. The season premiered on 28 August 2020. In the end, Alexandra Pornet won against Brice Petit in a jury vote of 7-5 to win the title of Sole Survivor. After the death of Bertrand-Kamal, a donation site was created to pay tribute to him.

<i>Koh-Lanta: Les Armes Secrètes</i> Season of Koh-Lanta

Koh-Lanta: Les Armes Secrètes is the twenty-second regular season and the twenty-sixth season overall of the French reality television series Koh-Lanta. For the first time since Cambodge, the series is filmed outside of Fiji, being filmed in Taha'a, French Polynesia. Twenty contestants from across France are split into two tribes to fight for food & win immunity to avoid tribal council whilst trying to not be voted off. The main twist this season is that there are secret weapons that can be used by the contestants to advance their game. Some of the weapons include, "Vote Hijacking" which allows a vote to be stolen from another contestant, the "Black Bracelet" allowing a hidden immunity idol to be cancelled after being played & the "Secret Ambassador" which allows a contestant to secretly save a contestant from elimination from the ambassadors without their realisation. The grand prize is €100,000. The season premiered on 12 March 2021 on TF1.

<i>Koh-Lanta: Malaisie</i> Season of television series

Koh-Lanta: Malaisie is the twelfth regular season and the fifteenth season overall of the French reality television series Koh-Lanta. This season has 20 contestants compete in two tribes of twenty in Seribuat, Malaysia competing in challenges for rewards & immunity to avoid going to tribal council to vote off one of their own. The main twist this season is after the first challenges, the contestants do a schoolyard pick until there's 4 left. The 4 not selected are banished to another island until the first tribal council where they'll return and reintegrate with the two tribes. The season premiered on 2 November 2012 & concluded on 1 February 2013 where Ugo Lartiche won against Brice Martinet in a 10-1 jury vote to win €100,000 & win the title of Sole Survivor.

Koh-Lanta: La Légende is the twenty-seventh season and seventh special season of the French reality television series Koh-Lanta. This season brings back 21 All Star players to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the show with the contestants living in harsher conditions than previously seen on the show whilst trying to survive each other and win €100,000.

Koh-Lanta: Le Totem maudit is the twenty-third regular season of the French reality television series Koh-Lanta. 24 contestants are split into three tribes and sent to live and survive in the Calamian Islands of the Philippines where they compete against each other for immunity and reward while also avoiding tribal council. The main twist this season is The Cursed Totem which is given to the tribe or contestant that finishes last in a challenge where they'll receive a 'curse' that they must endure for their loss. The season premiered on 22 February 2022 on TF1.

Koh-Lanta: Les Chasseurs d'Immunité is the twenty-fifth regular season and the thirtieth season overall of the French reality television series Koh-Lanta. The season was filmed in Luzon, Philippines where 20 contestants were divided into two tribes of ten competing in challenges to win the grand prize of €100,000. The main twist this season are the hidden immunity idols, which are now hidden all over the game such as: at immunity challenges, in the sea, in camp, in areas that are well-hidden. More-so than in previous seasons. The season aired on TF1 and premiered on 13 February 2024. The season concluded on 4 June 2024 where Léa Sahin won in an 8-3 jury vote against Meïssa Seck to win the grand prize and be crowned the title of Sole Survivor.

References

  1. Hisardot Israeli "Survivor" (in Hebrew). 7 August 2009.
  2. "Koh Lanta saison 5 Sur TF1" (in French). Archived from the original on 15 September 2009.
  3. "Koh-Lanta et les animaux : La LPO attaque la chaîne TF1". news-de-stars.com (in French). Archived from the original on 2 May 2013.
  4. "French 'Survivor' Season Canceled After Death of Contestant". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  5. "French 'Survivor' Doctor Thierry Costa's Suicide Linked To Contestant Gérald Babin's Death". huffingtonpost.com. 1 April 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  6. "Koh-Lanta : l'annulation liée à une accusation d'"agression sexuelle"" (in French). Retrieved 11 May 2018.