Amazon’s new game show “Beast Games” has arrived with a cloud of controversy surrounding its contestant treatment and compensation. The show’s creator, MrBeast, has faced lawsuits from contestants alleging widespread mistreatment, inadequate pay, and emotional distress. Despite this, the show’s popularity could potentially overshadow the scandal.
The parallels between “Beast Games” and other reality competition shows like “Squid Game: The Challenge” are clear. Both shows feature contestants competing in absurd challenges for a large cash prize. However, while “Squid Game” sparked widespread debate about its satirical value, “Beast Games” seems to lack nuance.
The show’s format features contestants who must sacrifice themselves to progress, leading to endless crying and pleading from the remaining contestants. The participants’ desperation and attempts to garner sympathy feel exploitative and embarrassing. MrBeast’s presence on the show only adds to its crassness, as he repeatedly emphasizes that “everybody has a price.”
Despite this, some viewers may find “Beast Games” strangely compelling – perhaps because it exposes the worst aspects of human nature. However, this fascination feels fleeting and shallow. Overall, it’s unclear whether “Beast Games” can justify the controversy surrounding its production.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/dec/20/beast-games-review-one-of-the-most-undignified-spectacles-ever-shown-on-tv