I don't understand Utopia

Question. Who of you watches Utopia? And no, don't lie linkmichels, because I know you're there. The program is watched by half a million people every day. Half a million people. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?

Elke sent me a message this week from a ‘Utopian’ (yes, that's what they call themselves) who left the house after 2.5 years. One Bas had spent 2.5 years of his life in the show. Ten percent of his life so far. Say whuuuut. My reaction: ‘Huh, is that program still on? Are we still watching that? Aren't reality shows where people live permanently on a closed-off terrain surrounded by cameras a bit 2006?’ The fact is: it apparently isn't so 2006 at all. Half a million people per day. That's about ten times the Amsterdam Arena filled.

Where does it get weird? I don't know anyone who watches it. Or one of my friends is lying. Is Utopia a guilty pleasure that isn't talked about? Is Utopia the Instagram account you don't really want to look at but secretly do? I don't get it. What triggers us kale heads to watch reality TV? Do we really want to see what random people are up to every hour of the day? vlogging Is that why it has become so popular? Is peeking into someone else's life a deep human need that will always exist? Watching neighbors is certainly not such a shocking phenomenon among millennials anymore?

And now it gets funny...

I dove into the world of Utopia, and there's even a webshop... I'm serious. For just two whole euros, you can take a look in the warehouse this Friday. You can take a photo, have a chat with the Utopians, José will make her rice jewelry, and much more. RICE JEWELRY. You don't want to miss this. They even sell clothes. I just wiped away a tear from laughing. Why do we want this? And how can this program be the longest-running reality show on Dutch television after 2.5 years?

Questions everywhere, people. Questions. I think we are dealing with addictive disaster tourism here. The Temptation Island effect, but without the island and sleazebags. Follow a group of bickering Dutch people with their daily problems in a warehouse, and you'll naturally start to feel sympathy for one or more participants. And okay, okay, I confess. I was once quite addicted to a daily dose of terror on the screen. The Golden Cage was the standard conversation at my school in 2006. ‘Terror Jaap’ going loco again. Claire getting smeared with a bottle of Dreft. We found it almost normal. The escort ladies that Huub brought to the house. The ordinary shouting matches between Amanda and Brian. Nataaaaasia. Those, people, were times.

But can someone explain to me what is so cool about Utopia? Because I don't get it. Or do I simply have better things to do at half past seven in the evening? That could be it too.

P.S.: See you on Friday at the fan day? Making rice jewelry together? Really fun, bye.