French broadcast council calls for more safety precautions following 'Survivor' deaths

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  A contestant reportedly died while filming the French version of the popular U.S. show "Survivor."FNN

France's broadcast regulator says it's taking steps to tighten safety rules for TV reality shows, following two deaths on the French version of the adventure show "Survivor."

In a statement Wednesday, the Higher Broadcasting Council expressed deep sadness over the death last month of a young contestant and Monday's suicide of an on-screen doctor who treated him.

It said that it will consult with French TV stations in the coming weeks to find ways to further "respect human dignity" on such shows, and reexamine the current rules.

The council also reminded TV producers of the need to exercise "the greatest prudence when recruiting contestants."

On Monday, Dr. Thierry Costa killed himself on location on an island in Cambodia, the TF1 station said. Costa, 38, blamed the press for damaging his professional reputation in a handwritten suicide note that TF1 published on its website.

It was the second death in as many weeks to hit the prime-time "Koh-Lanta" show that it broadcasts.

The first tragedy was a 25-year-old contestant, Gerald Babin, who died March 22 during the first day of filming for the show's 2013 season. Babin went to Costa to get treated for mysterious cramps he had during the season's first tropical challenge but died in a hospital soon after following a heart attack, according to TF1.

The network has not released any details about what the contestants were doing before Babin died but various media outlets have reported he was engaged in a tug-of-war.

An inquiry into "involuntary homicide" was launched by the Creteil prosecutor's office into Babin's death and TF1 immediately cancelled the show's season.

But controversy over the death grew. Anonymous comments appeared in French media accusing Costa and Adventure Line Productions of negligence that contributed to Babin's death — charges that all parties vehemently denied.

Costa's suicide note addressed these allegations.

"These last few days my name has been smeared in the media. Unjust accusations and assumptions were uttered against me," he wrote on notepaper from the hotel where the "Koh-Lanta" team was staying. "Having to rebuild this destroyed reputation seems unbearable to me, so this is my only possible choice."

TF1 said it "shares the pain" of Costa's family.

The Higher Broadcasting Council suggested that "participants get medical and psychological help during filming and for several months afterwards."

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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French 'Survivor' doctor commits suicide following contestant's death

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Jim Carrey responds to critics following controversial 'Funny or Die' video

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    Jim Carrey under fire for gun control spoof

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    Jim Carrey's anti-gun tirade

In a new video for the prankster website Funny or Die, actor Jim Carrey has chimed in on the debate about gun control.

The “Ace Ventura” star mocked in the skit Charlton Heston, the former “Planet of the Apes” actor who later became the president of the NRA. Heston died in 2008 at the age of 84.

In the video, which now has more than 1 million views on the Funny or Die website, Carrey dresses up as Heston and parodies the actor's memorable speech during the 129th annual NRA convention in Charlotte, N.C., during the 2000 presidential election. Heston, NRA president at the time, picked up a rifle and famously said, "So, as we set out this year to defeat the divisive forces that would take freedom away, I want to say those fighting words for everyone within the sound of my voice to hear and to heed, . . . . 'From my cold, dead hands!'"

Carrey sings the tune “Cold Dead Hands” in the video, dressed as a member of a country music band.

"The angels wouldn't take [Heston] up to heaven like he planned/Because they couldn't pry that gun from his cold, dead hand,” Carrey sings.

And while his video has gained its share of fans, it has also gained the actor some negative attention from those who don’t agree with him.

On Fox News’ “The Five” co-host Greg Gutfeld called Carry a “moral coward,” saying Carrey’s video was an attempt to be accepted.  

“He thinks this is biting satire? Going after rural America and a dead man?” Gutfeld said.

Carrey responded to his critics on Twitter, posting several tweets about his views on gun control.

“'Cold Dead Hand' is [about] u heartless motherf***ers unwilling 2 bend 4 the safety of our kids. Sorry if you're offended by the word safety!” he tweeted, later adding: “I'm appalled at [what] I've seen on [this] stream the last few days, all in hatred's defense. No wonder it's so dangerous to be a child today.”

Some users on Twitter chimed in, taking Carrey’s side after a slew of negative tweets about the comedy actor.  

“Always thought Jim Carrey talented and funny but who'd have thought he was so passionate and brave?” one user tweeted.

Another added: “@JimCarrey best thing you did (besides be so funny) was get people to talk. Thank you! Keep going my friend...”

On Tuesday afternoon, Carrey tweeted a calmer message to his fans (and his foes) about the controversial video.

“There r also many fair minded [people] out there and I appreciate their support [but] I love [everyone] whether we agree or not.”

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'The Following' recap: Joey almost escapes, Carroll gains followers

Kevin Bacon’s new show “The Following” has been filled with nothing but heart-stopping suspense and last night’s episode, “The Siege,” was no exception.

We see Joey finally become aware that something just doesn’t add up with the farmhouse scenario. Took him long enough!

He is able to sneak downstairs one morning and call his mother using a cell phone he saw Emma hide on a shelf.  

Joey hears how desperate and upset Claire sounds -- even though Emma has been telling him the whole time that Claire purposely sent him away.  He is able to talk on the phone long enough for the FBI camped out at Claire’s home to get a cell phone signal before he is discovered and dragged away by Paul.

The cops discover that the cell phone signal is scrambled with an algorithm and are able to estimate just a general location in Duchess County for the farmhouse.

Meanwhile, Joe Carroll, who we haven’t seen much of (but are still absolutely terrified of) bullies his former appeals lawyer, Olivia, to deliver a cryptic message during a press conference.  It is picked up by national media and-- just as Joe wanted-- alerts even MORE of his creepy followers to activate their part of his bigger plan.  

One of them, Hank, speeds over to the farmhouse to apparently transport the trio and Joey to another location, realizing that the FBI is increasingly hot on their trail.

After the press conference, Olivia goes to Claire’s house and asks to speak with her privately.
“The only way you will see your son is if you follow these instructions,” she tells Claire, giving her a street address to travel alone to.  

The FBI is obviously not having that, even when Claire lies and insists she needs to just get out of the house and meet a friend for lunch.   

While at the restaurant, Claire pretends to go use the restroom, but sneaks out an emergency exit.   Clearly blinded by the desire to be reunited with Joey, she gets in a sketchy car (why would she get in the car?!) with another one of Joe’s henchmen.  They speed away from the restaurant and we know it’s not going to end well.  

Joey, banished to his room after making the phone call, overhears Emma, Paul and Jacob discussing how they’re lying to him.  He is able to make an escape (yay, Joey!) and sprints through the woods until he encounters elderly neighbors.  

Emma eventually catches up to Joey, feeds the couple a bunch of lies and whisks him away.  She orders Paul to “go thank them” for helping out.  

Just as the couple begins to make a call to the police, realizing Joey is “the boy from the news,” Paul sneaks into their house and viciously beats them to death.   They’re later found by our hero Ryan and a local cop propped up sitting in living room chairs.  

Although the neighbors had an unfortunate end, the 911 call fragment enables the FBI to narrow down their search for Joey to whatever property abuts the neighbors’ home.  

Ryan and the cop split up to begin checking out the farmhouse.  Hank finds the cop in the barn and shoots him. Ryan arrives and kills Hank, but it is too late.  The cop is dead.

Ryan makes his way to the farmhouse itself and spots Joey peeking out from upstairs.  He is just about to coax Joey downstairs to take him to safety, as we all of a sudden see a gun pointed to Ryan’s head from behind.  It’s Paul… Of course, it couldn’t be that easy.

The episode fades to black after that and we’re left with many questions for next week.  Where is Claire being driven to? Obviously not to be reunited with Joey and live happily ever after.  What evil bidding is Joe going to force Olivia to do from inside the prison walls next? Is Jacob finally going to muster up enough courage to kill Meghan, the hostage in the basement? Oh, and what is going to happen to Ryan?

“The Following” airs Monday nights at 9 p.m. ET on FOX.  

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