Netflix viewers 'fully addicted' to new series hailed as 'most gripping reality TV since Traitors'

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A reality version of Netflix’s Korean thriller hit Squid Game has been hailed as “the most gripping reality TV since The Traitors” - yet scored a shockingly low score with critics on review site Rotten Tomatoes.

Squid Game: The Challenge recreates much of the original show, down to the outfits and sets, although the lethal re-imaginings of childhood games have lower stakes this time round – rather than death, contestants instead face elimination.

Each elimination adds 10,000 dollars to a 4.56 million dollar (£3.66 million) prize pot, described as the largest in reality TV history.

The new show, which launched on Netflix on Wednesday morning (November 22), has been praised for its meticulous recreation of so many elements of the original drama, which became the streamer’s most watched show. READ MORE: Catfish and the Bottlemen fans 'screaming' as they confirm comeback with Reading and Leeds Festival announcement READ MORE: Nella Rose and Fred Sirieix 'pleasantly surprise' I'm A Celeb viewers as they team up for challenge after row The Guardian said: “The real-life version of the Netflix drama is a grandiose, addictive spectacle that will have you shouting at your TV before the end of episode one." The review added: “Squid Game: The Challenge not only works, but may turn out to be the most gripping reality TV since The Traitors.” The Independent also compared the show to BBC’s hit reality series The Traitors, saying: “For all that the ghost of its Korean cousin sticks in the mind, this is little more than a combination of The Traitors and Takeshi’s Castle.” And viewers agreed too, with many taking to X, formerly Twitter, to share their thoughts. @TaylorBBAFPwin said: "The squid game challenge is so good I fear....