Veteran Broadcaster Dan Shilon Reflects on Brother's Show, Career Regrets
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Veteran Israeli broadcaster Dan Shilon discussed his late brother Yigal Shilon's iconic prank show "Mis-takes" on a podcast, admitting he never enjoyed the genre. Shilon stated that his differing opinion on the show caused pain to his brother and mother. He also expressed regret for not doing more to advance women in media roles during his career.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Veteran broadcaster Dan Shilon revealed he never enjoyed his late brother Yigal Shilon's famous prank show "Mis-takes."
- Shilon stated his personal discomfort with the show's premise of embarrassing people caused family friction.
- The iconic Israeli show "Mis-takes" aired for 15 seasons and significantly influenced prank culture.
- Shilon also expressed regret for not actively promoting women into key media positions.
- He praised his brother Yigal as a "genius" focused on content creation.
Veteran Israeli journalist and television host Dan Shilon, 85, recently appeared on the "Shirat HaGil" podcast hosted by Sara Peri and attorney Shiri Weiss. During the conversation, Shilon, a co-founder of "Mabat Sport" and former head of news for Channel 1 and CEO of Reshet (Channel 2), spoke candidly about his professional and personal relationship with his late brother, host and director Yigal Shilon.
Shilon praised his brother as a "genius" whose passion was creating content, not fame. He specifically addressed Yigal Shilon's iconic show "Mis-takes" ("Psufsim"), a staple of Israeli television in the 1990s and 2000s. While acknowledging the show's immense success and its impact on Israeli prank culture, Dan Shilon admitted he never connected with the genre.
"Personally, I don't like seeing a person in their embarrassment, and that's what 'Mis-takes' is based on," Shilon explained. "It might be funny to some people, but it doesn't amuse me; it's embarrassing." He shared that this differing perspective caused pain for his brother and their mother, highlighting a family rift over the show.
"Mis-takes" aired on Channel 2 for 15 seasons (1994-2008) under the "Reshet" franchise. The program combined funny home videos with elaborate pranks performed on celebrities and ordinary citizens, often featuring comedian Eli Yatzpan, alongside other participants like Moti Giladi and Moran Eisenstein.
Shilon also expressed regret over not actively promoting women into key positions within the media industry. Reflecting on the current landscape, he noted the significant presence of capable women in news broadcasts, stating, "I look at myself and say: 'You failed in this matter.'"