The Circle

BarryD2 · 20-10-2019 12:41pm

2nd Row Donkey wrote: »

What I meant was the final vote (I.e. the one in the lastnight) should be by the public... all the others should during the show should remain as they are.

No that’s not the problem. The issue this year was that one player was consistently being an influencer. That gets stale, everybody sucks up to them, so bad for the show.

yerwanthere123 · 23-10-2019 3:30pm

So I'd managed to avoid all spoilers and watched the final two episodes last night and wow, a lot to take in! Some initial points:

My heart broke for Ella when she got blocked, you could see the disappointment, and she'd been lovely throughout, but you can't blame the COT for getting tactical. Ella/Woody/Tim were going to coast to the final and decide the winner amongst themselves, so the others can't be blame for giving themselves a fighting chance.

Some thoughts on the final 5:

Woody: Had been lovely throughout and just seems a straight up decent person. Was my joint favourite throughout most of the show, so very harsh for him to finish 5th, although not too surprising when the vote gets tactical.

Tim: Tim obviously added a great deal to the show and has been a huge character throughout. Must admit I went off him quite a bit when he voted out his friend Brooke, and got a bit tired of him being influencer for almost every blocking.

Sammie/James: I thought James played a superb game throughout, I'm not getting the hate tbh. Yeah he played a rather callous game, but so f*cking what? It's a game show with a cash prize. I'd almost have been happy to see him win it except for the last few days, he just got a little bit too into it, which made it difficult to root for him.

Georgina: Was my early favourite along side Woody, but went off her a little after Brooke left and we saw a more tactical/machiavellian side to her. She won me back round by the final though and I wanted her to win. I did like seeing her wrestling with her conscience at times, showed she wasn't totally ruthless like James!

Paddy: He seems like a nice enough fella, but Jesus is he an anti-climatic winner. I'd have had any of the other four win over him. Seems to be something of a default winner after all the rest went against each other, but I guess it gives hope for anyone entering the show at a later stage next year.

Overall I thought series 2 was excellent, almost as good as the first which is impressive given the high bar that was set. Hoping we'll get a third series, but I see no reason why we wouldn't. The final averaged 1.1 million viewers in Britain, which is up 67% on last year.

yerwanthere123 · 23-10-2019 4:51pm

Some news about the international versions of the show, they'll all surprisingly be filmed in the same block of apartments as the UK one. And not only that, the US one has already been filmed with the Brazilian one due to begin production right away. They'll all be going out on Netflix apparently, would be very interested to watch the American one, but I can see them ruining everything that makes the British one so good.

S.M.B. · 23-10-2019 5:23pm

What do you see them ruining out of curiosity?

To me the show more closely resembles US reality TV as opposed to UK reality TV so I'd be very surprised if they messed with the format.

The fact that it's on Netflix will make it less reliant on audience participation I assume which to me is crucial.

Then comes down to whether they can deliver a good cast with a good mix of genuine characters and intriguing catfish.

yerwanthere123 · 23-10-2019 5:27pm

S.M.B. wrote: »

What do you see them ruining out of curiosity?

To me the show more closely resembles US reality TV as opposed to UK reality TV so I'd be very surprised if they messed with the format.

Then comes down to whether they can deliver a good cast with a good mix of genuine characters and intriguing catfish.

Oh I'm not entirely sure, will they try changing the format perhaps, give it some kind of American slant? The American Big Brother was always very different to the UK one, iirc. Either way if it's available to watch on Netflix I'll be giving it a watch anyway.

mikeym · 27-10-2019 9:23pm

Its a pity Virgin Media or Rte wouldnt do an Irish version.

Money talks I presume.

Basq · 01-01-2020 4:10pm

The US version was launched on Netflix today but doesn't look to be available outside of the US.

Loughc · 01-01-2020 4:18pm

Basq wrote: »

The US version was launched on Netflix today but doesn't look to be available outside of the US.

Ah balls

yerwanthere123 · 01-01-2020 5:13pm

Will it work with a VPN? I've previously been able to watch the US Netflix that way.

Basq · 01-01-2020 5:36pm

The first episode is available on YouTube..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-m4gFdrQ8M

Loughc · 01-01-2020 5:38pm

Basq wrote: »

The first episode is available on YouTube..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-m4gFdrQ8M

But I want them all

/sulks

Basq · 01-01-2020 5:41pm

Loughc wrote: »

But I want them all /sulks

Think the first 4 have went online.

It's 4 this week, 4 next week and then final 4 the week after.

US remakes of British reality TV have not typically gone well, so I'm curious but not hugely bothered either.

Also Starring LeVar Burton · 01-01-2020 7:59pm

Hopped on a quick flight Stateside, to give this a look. Only watched first episode so far, and the biggest thing missing is the narrator - the US narrator is just boring, so it loses a lot of the fun. The Americans also spend far too much time talking about "God" and praising "the Lord", but I'm used to this from other US reality shows so aside from some initial eye-rolls from me I got over that quickly enough. Aside from those criticisms the format is exactly the same so far, and once they get around to business and the ratings results, it's just as addictive as the UK version. Obviously it's not as good, because there is a cultural difference, and we're obviously much more akin to the Brits (as much as it pains me to admit it) than the Yankees, but it's still very enjoyable, and I'm on board.

Strange that they've not released it outside of the US, but I imagine they will soon enough (maybe they'll wait until the whole series has been released) or perhaps Channel 4 has first airing rights over here or something.

S.M.B. · 01-01-2020 8:47pm

I'd imagine Channel 4 have the sole rights to broadcast the show in the UK & Ireland and that these international versions have been created by Netflix for viewing elsewhere. Would be curious to see if the US version is available on Netflix in other English speaking markets.

tedpan · 01-01-2020 10:15pm

Watched the first episode, my wife's addicted. We are trying to work out the best/value VPN. Any tips?

tedpan · 01-01-2020 11:50pm

yerwanthere123 wrote:

Will it work with a VPN? I've previously been able to watch the US Netflix that way.

Tried NordVPN and IPVanish. They both gave me the circle on Netflix although were incredibly slow connections and wouldn't even play an episode.

S.M.B. · 02-01-2020 9:09am

Caught up with the full length first episode and enjoyed it.

The big change for me, which doesn't surprise me, is how quickly it took for the word 'alliance' to be dropped. I usually like how US reality shows are more about doing whatever it takes to win the cash but I'm worried that this mindset will lead to a more frustrating watch where a group of 3/4 people just dominate the entire game.

tedpan · 03-01-2020 8:26pm

Nearly finished episode 2. We're glued to it, it's very good! Couldn't get the VPN to perform well enough so had to figure out another option..

yerwanthere123 · 04-01-2020 3:21am

tedpan wrote: »

Tried NordVPN and IPVanish. They both gave me the circle on Netflix although were incredibly slow connections and wouldn't even play an episode.

tedpan wrote: »

Nearly finished episode 2. We're glued to it, it's very good! Couldn't get the VPN to perform well enough so had to figure out another option..

I used ExpressVPN to watch the first episode and it played fine. Anyway I thought the first one was quite good. The contestants are a bit more brash/annoying than we're used to but the format is still largely the same. Laughing that

Alana

was blocked first, talk about a complete lack of self awareness :pac:

S.M.B. · 04-01-2020 9:45am

I'm up date with all episodes and am really enjoying it. I think they've done a good job with the cast, certainly puts the casting of the likes of big brother US to shame when it comes to diversity and representation.

tedpan · 04-01-2020 10:07am

S.M.B. wrote:

I'm up date with all episodes and am really enjoying it. I think they've done a good job with the cast, certainly puts the casting of the likes of big brother US to shame when it comes to diversity and representation.

Yeah me too. Can't wait for episode 5, these Americans are hilarious!

yerwanthere123 · 04-01-2020 12:54pm

I've watched the first two, it's very good. I hope it generates a bit of traction in America.

Basq · 04-01-2020 8:26pm

Too many loud brash 'mericans..

.. that Joey lad is a ballache!

S.M.B. wrote: »

.. certainly puts the casting of the likes of big brother US to shame when it comes to diversity and representation.

Really? I thought the opposite... I'm only 2 episodes in but there's no-one over the age of 30 in there!

yerwanthere123 · 05-01-2020 4:31am

Basq wrote: »

Too many loud brash 'mericans..

.. that Joey lad is a ballache!

Really? I thought the opposite... I'm only 2 episodes in but there's no-one over the age of 30 in there!

I thought the same thing, they're all quite young. The British one had a much better mix. Overall though I'm quite enjoying it, looking forward to the next batch now!

I also think it's mad how all the American contestants were flown in to Manchester to film the show :pac:

Basq · 05-01-2020 6:47am

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

I also think it's mad how all the American contestants were flown in to Manchester to film the show :pac:

Yeah, I mentioned to the other half that they'd the same Dyson humidifiers from the British version and looked it up to see they filmed it before the second season of the British version in those same apartments in Salford.

Yet the exterior / cutaway shots are filmed in what looks like the US (Chicago?).. you can see the likes of Chase Bank etc.

S.M.B. · 05-01-2020 12:40pm

Basq wrote: »

Too many loud brash 'mericans..

.. that Joey lad is a ballache!

Really? I thought the opposite... I'm only 2 episodes in but there's no-one over the age of 30 in there!

True, I'm sure that will change over the next few weeks though and it looks like there were only 2 people over the age of 40 in the original UK series so it's not like it was full off older players to begin with either.

I guess I'm really just comparing it to big brother US where it feels like there are issues every year based on it's casting.

Also Starring LeVar Burton · 05-01-2020 8:05pm

Age range hasn't been fantastic, but in terms of People of Colour and LGBT representation, the diversity here is already miles ahead of many other US reality shows, particularly Big Brother US (and possibly The Bachelor/Bachelorette from what I've heard, but haven't watched much of that), which tend to have one or two tokens per seasons and then consider their job done. While the likes of Survivor and Amazing Race are a bit better than Big Brother or Bachelor they're still mostly whitewashed and the overwhelming majority would be straight as well.

So far The Circle US seems to have a much better balance.

Also Starring LeVar Burton · 09-01-2020 4:52am

Second batch of episodes was great. Really the only difference is that the cast are American and a different narrator, because otherwise all the production and editing seems to be exactly the same as the UK version - I'm happy they're not messing with it.

yerwanthere123 · 10-01-2020 12:44am

Just watched episode 5.

Alex is hilarious, he's already terrible and he's literally just entered. Shades of Mairéad from the UK version. He's getting a lot of flak for how creepy he's being, "aroused" and all, but I think he's just gloriously out of his depth and trying to play up to some stereotypical frat boy. I highly hope and doubt this is the way he really thinks, although either way I can't seem him lasting long. Seaburn isn't great either though, pushing the shy girl stuff waaay too hard

I wonder if the US version is the same length as the UK one? If so then they're condensing a lot more content into just 12 episodes and sometimes it really shows. Or perhaps it's just clumsy editing, like everyone piling in on Mercedes and Chris in the hashtag challenge seemingly just came from nowhere? Feels like things have been left out.

S.M.B. · 12-01-2020 11:22pm

Episode 8 spoilers

Really enjoying it but that cliffhanger has irked me slightly. I found it really odd that when Sean was setting up her original profile there were galleries with what looked like photos of her actual self. It's not something I've seen for any other catfish so I really hope this wasn't something that was preplanned. The condensed editing didn't help matters. Not sure why they didn't stretch it out to be 16 episodes of things are going to feel a little rushed. The additional cost would be minimal.

Edit

Looks like all catfish, both in the UK and US versions, come in with photos of their real selves so it wasn't a complete setup. I think the lack of screen time for the newer cast members is the real underlying issue I guess. Seems a little forced to have this big reveal moment when we haven't seven seen her engage with her fellow contestants as a catfish.

yerwanthere123 · 16-01-2020 1:38am

About to crack into episode 9, before that a few thoughts on the remaining contestants:

Shubham is a really nice fella, if a little naive. His very obvious feelings for Rebecca are starting to echo the Dan/Kate situation from the UK version. Hope he's not too hurt when he finds out the truth!

Sammie is probably my favourite, and the only one who I could see myself actually being friends with in real life.

Joey is a clown, but harmless enough. He's a pretty sound fella overall, and that sloppy kiss with Miranda seemed to come from nowhere!

Seaburn isn't very good at catfishing but is somehow getting by. Impressed he safely navigated the period conversation!

Chris is a nice guy but, for me, doesn't really add much. I'd've much rather if Caryn had stayed. I'm also curious as to how someone who's gay can be into all the god stuff?

Adam the catfish is terrible but somehow he seems to have gotten some people on side? Will be happy to see him go asap.

Seán and Bill were added too late to make an impact, and especially when they barely featured in the episode after their introduction. I've no clue why Seán is revealing her true identity straight away. And what girl is called Seán?!

Newest fella who came in with his mother seems like a nice guy but is obviously in way too late. Who knows, maybe he'll pull a Paddy? His mother wasn't needed though, she's no help.

As was written above the series could've been longer than 12 episodes, but can't blame Netflix when they probably wanted to see how it'd work firstly above all else. I think a second series has already been confirmed, I imagine it'll be longer.

S.M.B. · 19-01-2020 1:59am

Thoroughly enjoyable season, could have done without 80% of the final episode though.

A second season with an extra 4 episodes and with only one or two more players is the way forward me thinks.

aoh · 25-01-2020 7:29pm

Really enjoyed that - especially Rebecca!!

Sunny Dayz · 03-03-2020 12:02pm

Does anyone know where I can watch season one of The Circle? I had a link for it saved on my skybox but got a new box and now cannot find the link.

yerwanthere123 · 03-03-2020 12:41pm

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

Does anyone know where I can watch season one of The Circle? I had a link for it saved on my skybox but got a new box and now cannot find the link.

Should still be able to download it from the 4 player, no?

Sunny Dayz · 03-03-2020 12:53pm

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Should still be able to download it from the 4 player, no?

I couldn't find it when I went looking for it on the sky box. It's there for season 2.

Edit: when I look on the 4 Player website I can see it there.

Also Starring LeVar Burton · 16-04-2020 7:23pm

Watched The Circle France and The Circle Brazil there last week...

French one was really enjoyable - on a par with the US one, maybe even slightly better than the US one, but not as good as UK.

Brazilian one was awful. Really boring compared to all the other ones. And even though it followed the same format as the rest, there just seemed to be something off in the way it was edited.

tedpan · 16-04-2020 7:30pm

Also Starring LeVar Burton wrote:

French one was really enjoyable - on a par with the US one, maybe even slightly better than the US one, but not as good as UK.

Subtitles?

Also Starring LeVar Burton · 16-04-2020 7:45pm

tedpan wrote: »

Subtitles?

Yeah subtitles on both. Think you can watch it dubbed too. Both on Netflix, but not in the UK and Ireland. I was self-isolating over in Canada last week, so was able to watch them there...

JP Liz V1 · 06-10-2020 10:10pm

https://planetradio.co.uk/the-wave/entertainment/television/channel-4-the-circle/

Channel 4 confirmed their social media style game-show has been renewed for a third series, including a special Celebrity version.
The show, which is presented by The Voice UK host Emma Willis, will return to our TV screens in 2021, with a week-long celebrity version to kick the series off in aid of Stand Up To Cancer, and now the celeb line-up has been revealed.

The rumoured lineup for The Celebrity Circle

Charlotte Crosby, Baga Chipz, Saffron Barker, Sam Thompson, Denise Van Outen, Nadia Sawalha and Pete Wicks

Basq · 06-10-2020 10:52pm

Surprised if hasn't been on sooner...

.. it's pretty much the definition of social distancing and self isolation!

Basq · 12-02-2021 10:57pm

Back soon..

https://twitter.com/C4TheCircle/status/1360276767328641025?s=19

JP Liz V1 · 09-03-2021 10:01pm

The Celebrity Circle starts tonight at 9.15pm on Channel 4

yerwanthere123 · 10-03-2021 12:48am

Was quite cynical about how a celebrity version of this would work but must say I quite enjoyed that! Looking forward to tomorrow's one already.

Basq · 10-03-2021 9:28am

Zero personalities the lot of them.

Wake me up when the actual show starts.

Sunny Dayz · 10-03-2021 10:44am

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Was quite cynical about how a celebrity version of this would work but must say I quite enjoyed that! Looking forward to tomorrow's one already.

Yes same. I don’t know who most of them are or who they were playing. Before it aired I wasn’t sure how it was going to work out with catfishes but I enjoyed that!

Sunny Dayz · 10-03-2021 10:48am

If you want a bit of listening to regarding The Circle, there’s a podcast called The Circle Unofficial Podcast. I listened to one recently with Tim from Season 2 and if you can bear him practically speaking in monologue it gives some food for thought. They also have one with Paddy Smyth, winner from Season 2, on how his life has been since winning.

yerwanthere123 · 14-03-2021 11:59pm

Really enjoyed the celebrity series, sorry it's ending tomorrow but at least the main event is starting directly after. Hoping the two lads catfishing as Rachel win, think they're very funny.

Also Starring LeVar Burton · 15-03-2021 12:33am

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Really enjoyed the celebrity series, sorry it's ending tomorrow but at least the main event is starting directly after. Hoping the two lads catfishing as Rachel win, think they're very funny.

Yeah the two lads playing as Rachel are great. Wasn't familiar with either of them beforehand and initally thought they were going to be a pain to watch based on their introduction, but they've been a great comic duo all week.

Basq · 16-03-2021 11:32pm

Already far better than the majority of the celeb series.

Bound to be Gemma² tomorrow.

The Circle

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