The Ukrainian television host revealed the behind-the-scenes of the iconic travel show and explained how the money from the legendary 'golden card' was actually used.
No Script — Only Reality
Andrey Bednyakov, who hosted 'Eagle and Tails' for nine seasons, admitted that the program had no written script. Everything viewers saw on screen happened in real time.
In an interview on the YouTube channel 'Bombardir', the television host noted that the show was built on sincerity and surprise, and decisions had to be made right during the filming.
How the 'Golden Card' Worked
Despite the plot suggesting that one of the hosts could spend 'unlimited' amounts, in reality, expenses were strictly controlled by the producers.
"When I was filming, that was true. Of course, not any purchases. I had to get approval. I couldn't buy a car or a watch — everything had to be coordinated with the producers," Bednyakov said.
He added that money from the 'golden card' could only be used for spectacular and unusual experiences:
"If it's a cool experience, for example, riding a whale and swimming with it — that costs 12 thousand, but it's interesting to people, so we filmed it. But buying a car — no, that's not interesting."
Control for the Viewer’s Interest
The show's producers carefully monitored that every dollar spent turned into a spectacular scene and impressed the viewers. This approach became one of the reasons for the project's phenomenal popularity.
Since its launch in 2011, 'Eagle and Tails' has turned into a true cultural phenomenon, and Andrey Bednyakov has become one of the most recognizable faces in the travel genre in Ukraine.
