Kidney Donor Reality Show Was a Hoax

Broadcaster draws praise for raising awareness of transplant-organ shortage

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 2, 2007 10:48 AM CDT

(Newser) – A controversial Dutch reality show featuring a dying woman’s choice of a kidney recipient aired last night—and was revealed as a hoax. The "donor" was an actor; the contestants were real patients who were in on the prank. A producer said the goal was to call attention to the shortage of donor organs, adding, "We have succeeded in spades."

The "Big Donor Show" may just gain esteem now, the Guardian reports. The Dutch PM criticized the program, but the education minister told Reuters it was a “fantastic stunt.” Producer Endemol was seen as mending fences after it ran into trouble with "Big Brother," but the Dutch broadcaster had a personal stake—its founder died of kidney failure.

[Images (6)]

[Videos (1)]

Kidney patients and their relatives watch the live broadcast of the "Big Donor Show" on a television at the Kidney Patient Center in Bussum, central Netherlands on Friday June 1, 2007. A Dutch television... (Associated Press)

Photo shows the exterior of of Dutch TV (Getty Images)

Presenter Patrick Lodiers of the "Big Donor Show" is seen after a press conference in Aalsmeer, central Netherlands, Friday June 1, 2007. A Dutch television show in which a terminally ill woman would... (Associated Press)

Actress Leonie Gebbink who played "Lisa" during the "Big Donor Show" is seen after a press conference in Aalsmeer, central Netherlands, Friday June 1, 2007. A Dutch television show in which a terminally... (Associated Press)

"de grote donor show" or "The Big Donor show (hittme87 (YouTube))

de grote donor show, or The Big Donor Show, the netherlands (hittme87 (YouTube))

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CNN coverage of The Big Donor Show hoax (michael5046til (YouTube))

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Kidney Donor Reality Show Was a Hoax