The craziest game show in the world (and guess from where!)

by Jerry Guo on

With the writer’s strike in the US, television has quickly deteriorated as all the networks switch to an overdose of reality-TV shows. But here’s one I wouldn’t mind watching. It’s hands-down the most insane game show you’ll ever read about.

Set in Moscow (where else), the show is essentially a real-life version of Grand Theft Auto, the video game in which you’re a professional carjacker. In the television version, contestants have a chance to win an actual car. The catch is they have to outrun the police for more than 35 minutes in a live car chase. There’s also another catch–the police have a GPS tracker on your stolen car. And did I mention that they think you stole the car?

It was huge in Russia before getting nixed, garnering twice the number of fans as American Idol on its most successful night. And why not. Did I already say that the episodes sound ridiculous? For instance, in one, an ingenious thief drives his car onto a moving train and in another, the thief drives it onto a raft which floats into the middle of a lake.

For other insane game shows from around the world, check this out.

Photo of the Day (12/3/2007)

by Iva Skoch on

Since Vladimir Putin just won the elections in Russia (can you believe it?), I decided to go with the theme of present-day Russia for today’s photo. Here is a picture by Yuri Mamchur, author of the Russia Blog, of a parking lot by a 5-star hotel in Moscow. It would almost make you believe that Russians like Mercedes cars, wouldn’t it.

Until, of course, you remember that although there are a lot of Mercedes-cruising socialites in Moscow, the average male in Russia has a life expectancy of less than 60 years. And those are typically not exactly Mercedes-cruising years…

***To have your photo considered for the Gadling Photo of the Day, go over to the Gadling Flickr site and post it.***

UFO art-exhibition to travel the world

by Abha Malpani on


When I lived in Dubai I worked in PR so I have been witness to many a crazy publicity stunts — but this one takes the cake.

Designer brand Chanel will put a huge gleaming white “Mobile Art Container” in the sky to fly the world from 2008-2010, displaying work of 20 international artists. Brainchild of Chanel’s creative head Karl Lagerfeld, the container has been designed by Iraq-born artist Zaha Hadid and will be made of collapsible fiber glass.

The artists were given a brief to create art in connection to Chanel’s handbags and curious participants include Lennon’s wife Yoko Ono, celebrity yoga guru Subodh Gupta, and offbeat modern artist Arakinbuyoshi.

They’ve tagged the mad idea a “noble research investment”. Urrrm — no I don’t understand either, but I’d go check it out just to walk into an absurd container like that.

Not sure how it’s going to fly — but over a two year period the thing will travel form Hong Kong to Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles, London, Moscow and Paris.

[Via Wallpaper]

Russian Kid Survives Ride on the Wing of a Boeing 737?

by Justin Glow on

Several news agencies are reporting on the story of a 15-year-old Russian boy who climbed onto the wing of a Boeing 737 and hung on for two hours as the plane flew 800 miles to Moscow.

Is it even physically possible to hold onto something when traveling at over 500 miles per hour especially when the temperature routinely drops down to -58 Fahrenheit at cruising altitude? “His arms and legs were so severely frozen that rescuers were at first unable to remove his coat and shoes,” according to the Russian News and Information Agency.

I have a hard time believing it, and so does the Moscow Times. Its report reads a bit differently:

“A 15-year-old boy is recovering with severe frostbite after hiding in the wheel well of a plane flying from Perm to Moscow, Tvoi Den reported Monday.”

That sounds a little more likely. Even so, the wheel well can be a very dangerous place to hide, and many people have been found dead while attempting to stow away. He’s a lucky kid.

Party in the Subway, Russian Style

by Neil Woodburn on

The subway, like most modes of transport, is designed to get people from point A to point B. And that’s about it.

For the most part, the subway is the most anti-social place on our planet; commuters disappear into their own little world when they sit down and almost never talk to anyone. It’s the unwritten law.

Some partygoers in Moscow, however, recently decided to deviate from the norm and turn their subway train into a party train. As you can see from the above photo, they’ve managed to set up a bunch of tables and even prepare a feast to commemorate the passing of a favorite local poet.

Can you imagine stepping into the subway and coming across this party? Hilarious. I’ll bet no one even bothered to come up with a law preventing such an activity.

Thanks go out to English Russia for spotlighting such a great idea. Let’s spread the word and make subway parties a regular part of commuting around the world.