Let us know what you thought of Ann and David Darrell's idea of turning a Slovakian chateau into a boutique hotel. Would you be encouraged to do the same? Would the country's bureacracy put you off, or would the cheaper property prices encourage you to take the plunge? Do you think they'll make a success of it? Find out more about Chaos At The Chateau and more on buying property abroad here
Yes, I did enjoy watching... but surely we are not to believe that this is a genuine documentary?
After 20 minutes, we had decided it was a spoof. An extremely good one, but a spoof none the less.
For example... Ann's see-thru swimsuit, which she felt gave her 'an air of mystery'; her walking down the high-street with hairdresser tin-foils still in place (something no self-respecting Essex girl would dream of doing); the pink coat and Burberry scarf ensemble worn by Ann, while she was talking about 'class'; fishing in a frozen pond; the weedy little waiter taking charge of the project (and handling the Ministry of Culture with ease)... not to mention commentary from the master of spoof documentaries, Chris Langham (doing his best to sound very serious).
This programme seized the extremes of 'relocation TV' and pushed them on another 10%. A great thing to do, but just tipping the balance from reality to fiction.
And if it's not a spoof... then my god, what are these people on?
Either way, it doesn't really matter. The script was very sharp and funny, Ann and David were the epitome of clueless Brits abroad, and the voice-over was delivered with droll aplomb.
Isn't this David Darrell the former insolvency practitioner who is on the run from his debts in the UK? Didn't he take lots of money from insolvent estates and lose his insolvency licence? He should be on BBC watchdog, not this program!
At least all his creditors and victims can see where their money went.
Originally posted by ka42: Yes, I did enjoy watching... but surely we are not to believe that this is a genuine documentary? kA42
Yep it is 100% genuine. We have been avid followers of the first series called "A place in Slovakia" and this new program is the continuation -now at peak time- of Ann & Davids Slovak adventure. We met them last year in their Chateau, just after it opened and were treated to an excellent meal and very congenial company. We find the program hilarious but believable - I have been visiting Slovakia for 11 years now, have a beautiful Slovak wife...and plan to live there too one day. Keep tuned to the show...
I thought it was television gold. They are just great characters - I bet the producers were rubbing their hands together. Who would meey a builder in a pool and then get them to do the work?! The best thing had to be the meeting with the architect. I couldn't believe that it was genuine at first. Looking forward to the next episode.
Originally posted by ka42: Yes, I did enjoy watching... but surely we are not to believe that this is a genuine documentary?
After 20 minutes, we had decided it was a spoof. An extremely good one, but a spoof none the less.
For example... Ann's see-thru swimsuit, which she felt gave her 'an air of mystery'; her walking down the high-street with hairdresser tin-foils still in place (something no self-respecting Essex girl would dream of doing); the pink coat and Burberry scarf ensemble worn by Ann, while she was talking about 'class'; fishing in a frozen pond; the weedy little waiter taking charge of the project (and handling the Ministry of Culture with ease)... not to mention commentary from the master of spoof documentaries, Chris Langham (doing his best to sound very serious).
This programme seized the extremes of 'relocation TV' and pushed them on another 10%. A great thing to do, but just tipping the balance from reality to fiction.
And if it's not a spoof... then my god, what are these people on?
Either way, it doesn't really matter. The script was very sharp and funny, Ann and David were the epitome of clueless Brits abroad, and the voice-over was delivered with droll aplomb.
Looking forward to the next episode!
kA42
I can assure you this was no spoof, as I am the person (or one of the coupl;e!) who were supposed to be getting married there. They really are like that - larger than life Borat, con artists and a terrible reflection of the English abroad - on second thoughts, perhaps they should be on Club Reps with that swimsuit and David's foray into the mud bath.
Originally posted by ka42: Yes, I did enjoy watching... but surely we are not to believe that this is a genuine documentary? kA42
Yep it is 100% genuine. We have been avid followers of the first series called "A place in Slovakia" and this new program is the continuation -now at peak time- of Ann & Davids Slovak adventure. We met them last year in their Chateau, just after it opened and were treated to an excellent meal and very congenial company. We find the program hilarious but believable - I have been visiting Slovakia for 11 years now, have a beautiful Slovak wife...and plan to live there too one day. Keep tuned to the show...
Yes, everbody go there, they are wonderful! Just see my other replies and posts. They ruined our marriage and did not give it a thought. In fact they still have our papers as we would not pay for the translation, as we really did not think that there was any reason to. Please ask the producers to show the meeting with the Mayor of the village, where all on earth was promised, even to the point of another venue if they fell through. Charlatans, through and through
Originally posted by Stephen H.: Isn't this David Darrell the former insolvency practitioner who is on the run from his debts in the UK? Didn't he take lots of money from insolvent estates and lose his insolvency licence? He should be on BBC watchdog, not this program!
At least all his creditors and victims can see where their money went.
Why else was he in court instead of being on Richard and Judy on Thursday afternoon? Somebody come up a godd explanation please?
Originally posted by ka42: Yes, I did enjoy watching... but surely we are not to believe that this is a genuine documentary?
After 20 minutes, we had decided it was a spoof. An extremely good one, but a spoof none the less.
For example... Ann's see-thru swimsuit, which she felt gave her 'an air of mystery'; her walking down the high-street with hairdresser tin-foils still in place (something no self-respecting Essex girl would dream of doing); the pink coat and Burberry scarf ensemble worn by Ann, while she was talking about 'class'; fishing in a frozen pond; the weedy little waiter taking charge of the project (and handling the Ministry of Culture with ease)... not to mention commentary from the master of spoof documentaries, Chris Langham (doing his best to sound very serious).
This programme seized the extremes of 'relocation TV' and pushed them on another 10%. A great thing to do, but just tipping the balance from reality to fiction.
And if it's not a spoof... then my god, what are these people on?
Either way, it doesn't really matter. The script was very sharp and funny, Ann and David were the epitome of clueless Brits abroad, and the voice-over was delivered with droll aplomb.
Looking forward to the next episode!
kA42
See all other responses - this is not a spoof, and they really did con us even asking for £1000 deposit an hour before they cancelled our wedding.
Originally posted by Stephen H.: Isn't this David Darrell the former insolvency practitioner who is on the run from his debts in the UK? Didn't he take lots of money from insolvent estates and lose his insolvency licence? He should be on BBC watchdog, not this program!
At least all his creditors and victims can see where their money went.
If you want to have a wonderful time in Slovakia which is a lovely country with very nice people, steer well clear of this pair of idiots. She has said she was in PR when in the UK. What is that in layman's terms? Pubeic rashes? It is what she brings me out in.
Originally posted by ka42: Yes, I did enjoy watching... but surely we are not to believe that this is a genuine documentary?
After 20 minutes, we had decided it was a spoof. An extremely good one, but a spoof none the less.
For example... Ann's see-thru swimsuit, which she felt gave her 'an air of mystery'; her walking down the high-street with hairdresser tin-foils still in place (something no self-respecting Essex girl would dream of doing); the pink coat and Burberry scarf ensemble worn by Ann, while she was talking about 'class'; fishing in a frozen pond; the weedy little waiter taking charge of the project (and handling the Ministry of Culture with ease)... not to mention commentary from the master of spoof documentaries, Chris Langham (doing his best to sound very serious).
This programme seized the extremes of 'relocation TV' and pushed them on another 10%. A great thing to do, but just tipping the balance from reality to fiction.
And if it's not a spoof... then my god, what are these people on?
Either way, it doesn't really matter. The script was very sharp and funny, Ann and David were the epitome of clueless Brits abroad, and the voice-over was delivered with droll aplomb.
Looking forward to the next episode!
kA42
It is a shame that my wedding was not a spoof - even though they did their best to ruin it. You would be mad to stay there, if you can even find the place, which is just a large house, hidden behind a Coop minimarket on the main road (?) towards Piestany.
Just think, you could walk up the little muddy slope and buy your own bread and jam instead of being charged 30 euros for a breakfast.
We have a better view from the balcony off our bedroom, than they do from the back of this mediocre, overpuffed, over-Essex'ed pile of rubbish. Silk Huh? Rayon and Nylon are thenew silk, with Polyester coming a close second.
I couldn't believe what I was watching. I can't believe how gullible some people are when buying property abroad (i.e. when they lost the first chateau that wasn't even for sale). I come from Slovakia, have been in England for 12 years now, my husband is English. We have a cottage in Slovakia now and went through the same thing with the builders when doing it up. They'd give you a quote and they'd never stick to it, the work would always end up being at least 50% more expensive. And I actually come from there! I am not sure if they are genuine, I can't see Slovak builders spending their days in the spa unless he was looking for some rich clients there as the spa is full of foreigners. The chateau is only about 30 miles from us, so I shall definitelly go and see it on my next trip but won't be staying there. Have you seen (on their website) the prices they charge????
[QUOTE]Originally posted by daja: I come from Slovakia, have been in England for 12 years now, my husband is English. The chateau is only about 30 miles from us, so I shall definitelly go and see it on my next trip but won't be staying there.
Hi Daja, I come from Nitra and I went to vistit them last summer. The Chateau is very nice and very stylish and they come across as very pleasant people. They have to be a little bit crazy to do such a thing, but anyway good luck to them!
I remembered Ann and David immediately I realised it was Anne, now looking so svelte, when she was being interviewed on Richard and Judy.
A Place in Slovakia was compulsive viewing and it looks like Chaos at the Chateau has done it all over again. Their incredulous dedication to achieving their goal combined with their own personal brand of eccentricity remains so it's really quite open mouthed viewing. David's parsimony and Ann's dedication to pampering still exist so it looks like the fun is set to continue and I'm already hooked yet again.
OK, OK, I hear what you're saying (and my mistake, it isn't Chris Langham... I blame the sound quality on my portable TV!) but are your SURE this is real? In fact, what is real?
Just because you can go there and visit these people doesn't mean that they aren't 'working to a script' during these episodes... in which case, are we seeing reality or the production company's idea of reality?
Ah, I don't know. Too many philosophical questions (and too small a brain).
There are just too many scenes that are quite obviously staged; the arrival of two disgruntled guests this week was clearly stage managed from beginning to end (and poorly acted by said visitors).
At the end of the day it is certainly amusing, and that's a fact. And if it is real (OK, it IS, I hear you!) then blimey, what can you say about these people? They are the stuff of nightmares.
Come on someone who was actually involved in the production of this... errr... work of art: is it 100% genuine?
Originally posted by Stephen H.: Isn't this David Darrell the former insolvency practitioner who is on the run from his debts in the UK? Didn't he take lots of money from insolvent estates and lose his insolvency licence? He should be on BBC watchdog, not this program!
At least all his creditors and victims can see where their money went.
Yes it is. I would appreciate any information about this pair who are still up to their tricks.
Just because you can go there and visit these people doesn't mean that they aren't 'working to a script' during these episodes... in which case, are we seeing reality or the production company's idea of reality?
Hello, you might be right, there may be some scenes staged, but their life with problems and joys in Slovakia is real and very well presented. I come from Slovakia and I can tell you that life shown in the programme is very real. How they make the programme I don't know, but it's made very well. And in my opinion Ann and David are very good characters for such a show.
It's a spoof, no doubt about it. They are clearly delivering scipted lines as are any angry guests we see. It's a shame that Channel 4 seem to think all their viewers are mugs!
This program is not at all genuine - its heavily scripted and you can see the supposed "rush" deadlines to get stuff finished are false - just see how quickly the grass grows in Slovakia - 2 days for a new lawn. I don't think so. There's a lot of scripted events and a lot of use of editing to create a sense of urgency. Funny that its by Tiger Aspect - remember "Nigel's Place in France" where it transpired that Nigel was in fact a director of Tiger Aspect and the whole thing was staged. Its exactly what's going on here. I can't believe C4 are duped into marketing this as "real". I don't mind watching it in the full knowledge that its phoney, but come on. What's going on with C4 these days, bonkers Dispatches, programmes like this masquerading as reality tv.... its insulting to viewers.
Originally posted by Ralph Kent: This program is not at all genuine - its heavily scripted and you can see the supposed "rush" deadlines to get stuff finished are false - just see how quickly the grass grows in Slovakia - 2 days for a new lawn. I don't think so. There's a lot of scripted events and a lot of use of editing to create a sense of urgency. Funny that its by Tiger Aspect - remember "Nigel's Place in France" where it transpired that Nigel was in fact a director of Tiger Aspect and the whole thing was staged. Its exactly what's going on here. I can't believe C4 are duped into marketing this as "real". I don't mind watching it in the full knowledge that its phoney, but come on. What's going on with C4 these days, bonkers Dispatches, programmes like this masquerading as reality tv.... its insulting to viewers.
Couldn't agree more! Come on C4, don't treat us like idiots any longer. Come clean!!
I saw about 10 mins for the first time this evening. The woman was lazing about, having a mud pack and babbling about having to look good for the guests, while her oaf of a husband bullied the slightly inept non-English-speaking waiter.
I couldn't believe that it was genuine at first. Looking forward to the next episode.
