1. SPANISH DEEP FAKE LOVE
It was just a matter of time. AI and deepfake technology (the manipulation of facial appearance through deep generative methods), after fiction (see, for example, the sketch-com Deep Fake Neighbour Wars, Friday’s Espresso 17th Feb), have made their “triumphant” entrance in unscripted.
Falso Amor (Deep Fake Love) premiered 6th July on Netflix, produced by Cuarzo Producciones (Banijay Iberia). The concept is easy and not particularly original: five established couples are split up and placed in separate villas with some hot singles invited to them. The partners -siting in the “Sala Blanca” (“White Room”)- watch footage regarding their significant other, trying to trust them.
But there is an interesting technological twist: this footage could have been deepfaked and tampered with by AI, so what they see might not correspond to reality (see pics). The couple that figures out the fake video wins a cash prize of 100.000€.
The issue is quite serious: it’s no coincidence that this is exactly one of the disputes for which American actors are on strike. Deep fake love, but real concern.
2. CHILEAN PURGATORY FOR CELEBS
El Purgatorio (The Purgatory) premiered on Canal 13 -the free-to-air Chilean television channel- last Thursday 13th July, created and produced by the entertainment department of Canal 13 itself.
In this live show, celebrities pretend “living their death” and reaching the “purgatory” (an aseptically lit hall) where they have to face their most notorious scandals in order to determine who goes to hell and who to paradise. The comedians Luis Slimming y “Chiqui” Aguayo (pic) will give celebrities the opportunity to explain their actions. And at the end a series of fun confessions and customized trials, the viewers at home will decide their destiny (hell or heaven?).
Another entertainment content inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy (one of the first and strongest transmedial franchises of all times), after a series of movies, video-games, books, comics and much more.
3. FILIPINO BATTLE OF JUDGES
Last Saturday 15th July, the talent competition Battle of Judges premiered in primetime on GMA network, the Philippines’ leading broadcasting company.
Hosted by Asia's Multimedia Star Alden Richards, the show features four famous entertainment personalities who are all set to lead their team to the battle stage to determine who will be declared the ultimate champion.
The competition between judges begins as they mentor and prepare their squad members for the three levels of competition: Battle of the Best -the elimination round- is the encounter of 24 squad members who will fight it out in 12 Battles. Battle to the Top -the semifinal round- where the four judges will continue to guide the remaining 12 performers who will compete against each other in 6 battles in order to move forward to the final level, The Ultimate Battle, or the Championship round. Here, the remaining six performers will face each other to conquer the battle stage and be voted as the one and only ultimate champion.
That’s it. No element of originality to be reported.