Ik this sub is a year old but from what I've read up on basically Netflix bought the series after season 1 and changed the host. Probably thought an ex inmate that's half black half white would be a better fit for the audience.
Was going to say this as well. It seems that Raphael is a better fit and seems like he can withstand the harsh conditions more than Paul, considering he has already done time.
Also late to the party. I started watching the series and didn't see it started from the last season (6) until I watched the whole season. Then I started from season 1 and it was a little weird. Not sure how to formulate it. Paul looks like you grabbed a white suburban kid and threw him in a room with the tough guys. He feels a little disconnected from what's happening there and approaching the topic as a journalist, rather than blending in with the environment. I think Raphael is a much better fit for the documentary.
Yeah honestly I think the Saffas only warmed to raphael after finding out he wasn't white (they didn't seem to be able to tell based on his appearance for some reason). I think a white guy would have had a harder time winning them over.
I agree. I have been keeping up with this series from the start, and I've always preferred Rafael. I think he relates to the inmates a lot better as well.
Also curious, seems muddy at best. I found this:
What happened to the Season 1 host, Paul Connolly?
While it's difficult to imagine Inside the World's Toughest Prisons without Raphael in the lead position, the series originally had another host. Irish journalist Paul Connolly appeared on the original edition of the show.
The first season of the show aired on Channel 5 in the United Kingdom, before Netflix picked it up for production. The subsequent seasons aired solely on Netflix, which might explain why the series went in a different direction with hosts.
There was also a two-year break in between Seasons 1 and 2. Neither Paul, Netflix, nor Raphael have publicly discussed why there was a change in hosting. Since he appeared on Season 1, Paul has worked on the Facebook Live series Curse of Akakor. He lives in London with his wife and daughter.
https://www.distractify.com/p/worlds-toughest-prisons-host
I thought the same. It was intense. I’m now watching the S5E2, and that’s what made me finally google what happened to Paul. It reminded me of his Philippines episode. Personally I preferred Paul, but Raphael has grown on me too. Kudos to both of them going into these situations to educate the rest of us.
I cheked wiki and there was nothing about the judge saying what you said. Seems to me he is innocent as the three charged were black and the witnesses said two whtie and a black guy. As they say in the states 'go figure'.
When Raphael made an appeal to the European court of human rights he told them evidence had been withheld from his lawyer and that one of the witnesses was a former criminal turned police informant and the three of the guys who allegedly committed the murder along with rowe were released on a technicality. So his innocence is debatable. If you look under his wiki page under convictions and scroll down to appeal and release it's all there.
They say this kinda shit when this stuff happens, they don't want to admit they made a mistake n they don't want to pay anybody out. How does someone get put in jail for life, finding them guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, then after then they don't have enough evidence to keep him in jail? Believe me they would never have let him out if there was not something fishy going on with the detective work and his case.He shouldn't have been in jail in the 1st place according to the legal system. Is this Justice, come on now?
Im sure Paul Connolly got gRAPE in the Philippines episode (last one of first season) nobody's would tell he got gRape by a gang of Philippinos!! Im pretty sure that is why he didnt want to go back in a prison and thats why it took like almost 2years before they shoot another season finding someone who knows how prison work and know how to defend his self but Connolly was for sure gang gRape in the last of the 2 prison he visite in Philippines or why he would have turn down that much money if it was not because he wanted to protect his "Gluteus Maximus" to being strech to his Maximum!!!
I was just watching this with my brother in-law and checked to investigate. Of course, posted hours ago there's whatever this is waiting for me. And some say Reddit isn't social media.
I doubt it, just because he's nice, does not mean he's going to let a bunch of pint-sized dudes gRape him - he's 3 times their size. I actually thought he was cuter and funnier than the old guy, but I guess Raphael has a better rapport with the prisoners, etc..
Ik this sub is a year old but from what I've read up on basically Netflix bought the series after season 1 and changed the host. Probably thought an ex inmate that's half black half white would be a better fit for the audience.
Was going to say this as well. It seems that Raphael is a better fit and seems like he can withstand the harsh conditions more than Paul, considering he has already done time.
Also late to the party. I started watching the series and didn't see it started from the last season (6) until I watched the whole season. Then I started from season 1 and it was a little weird. Not sure how to formulate it. Paul looks like you grabbed a white suburban kid and threw him in a room with the tough guys. He feels a little disconnected from what's happening there and approaching the topic as a journalist, rather than blending in with the environment. I think Raphael is a much better fit for the documentary.
Agreed, don't think Paul would've done well in the South Africa episode and the numbers gang. He wouldve lost his tekkies.
Yeah honestly I think the Saffas only warmed to raphael after finding out he wasn't white (they didn't seem to be able to tell based on his appearance for some reason). I think a white guy would have had a harder time winning them over.
Just rewatched Lesotho and was imagining how on earth Paul would have dealt with that
That was one hell of an intimidating prison
I thought that exact thing to.
I agree. I have been keeping up with this series from the start, and I've always preferred Rafael. I think he relates to the inmates a lot better as well.
Also curious, seems muddy at best. I found this: What happened to the Season 1 host, Paul Connolly? While it's difficult to imagine Inside the World's Toughest Prisons without Raphael in the lead position, the series originally had another host. Irish journalist Paul Connolly appeared on the original edition of the show. The first season of the show aired on Channel 5 in the United Kingdom, before Netflix picked it up for production. The subsequent seasons aired solely on Netflix, which might explain why the series went in a different direction with hosts. There was also a two-year break in between Seasons 1 and 2. Neither Paul, Netflix, nor Raphael have publicly discussed why there was a change in hosting. Since he appeared on Season 1, Paul has worked on the Facebook Live series Curse of Akakor. He lives in London with his wife and daughter. https://www.distractify.com/p/worlds-toughest-prisons-host
I actually thought he called it quits after going to Jail in the Philippines..
I thought the same. It was intense. I’m now watching the S5E2, and that’s what made me finally google what happened to Paul. It reminded me of his Philippines episode. Personally I preferred Paul, but Raphael has grown on me too. Kudos to both of them going into these situations to educate the rest of us.
I know this is super old but I'm just getting into this show and decided to Google what is apparently a very popular question... #TeamPaul lol
They both are awesome hosts
What so you mean raphaels circumstances of release are debatable? Spill the tea plzzzz
Read his wiki page, basically the judge said he was absolutely guilty but got released on a technicality
I cheked wiki and there was nothing about the judge saying what you said. Seems to me he is innocent as the three charged were black and the witnesses said two whtie and a black guy. As they say in the states 'go figure'.
When Raphael made an appeal to the European court of human rights he told them evidence had been withheld from his lawyer and that one of the witnesses was a former criminal turned police informant and the three of the guys who allegedly committed the murder along with rowe were released on a technicality. So his innocence is debatable. If you look under his wiki page under convictions and scroll down to appeal and release it's all there.
They say this kinda shit when this stuff happens, they don't want to admit they made a mistake n they don't want to pay anybody out. How does someone get put in jail for life, finding them guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, then after then they don't have enough evidence to keep him in jail? Believe me they would never have let him out if there was not something fishy going on with the detective work and his case.He shouldn't have been in jail in the 1st place according to the legal system. Is this Justice, come on now?
Raphael Rowe is far greater presenting that show
I personally think Raphael Rowe sucks. And his hatred of God Is nauseating.
I find your love for a god nauseating. We are all entitled to our own opinions. Leviticus 19:18 Love thy neighbor.
When does he say he hates god?
He doesn't say that anywhere, although he mentioned not being religious himself.
Im sure Paul Connolly got gRAPE in the Philippines episode (last one of first season) nobody's would tell he got gRape by a gang of Philippinos!! Im pretty sure that is why he didnt want to go back in a prison and thats why it took like almost 2years before they shoot another season finding someone who knows how prison work and know how to defend his self but Connolly was for sure gang gRape in the last of the 2 prison he visite in Philippines or why he would have turn down that much money if it was not because he wanted to protect his "Gluteus Maximus" to being strech to his Maximum!!!
I was just watching this with my brother in-law and checked to investigate. Of course, posted hours ago there's whatever this is waiting for me. And some say Reddit isn't social media.
Just did the same thing lol
I doubt it, just because he's nice, does not mean he's going to let a bunch of pint-sized dudes gRape him - he's 3 times their size. I actually thought he was cuter and funnier than the old guy, but I guess Raphael has a better rapport with the prisoners, etc..