Genius Game

If it was just the games, like a modern day Krypton Factor, the game show would be better. As it is they have shoehorned in backstabbing and it thinks it is the traitors - it isn't. It feels drawn out and doesn't move forward, if they just cut that out what made it about how well they outsmart each other in the challenges, it would be an 8 out of 10 instead of 6.

Perhaps the contestants just aren't very likeable, I couldn't relate to their goals and why they formed cliques and turned on each other except the obvious: to win. Perhaps I'm weird for expecting and wanting more.

The production value of the show is good, it just feels like it's half filler.

It's a "westernized" adaption of Netflix' "The Devil's Plan".

The Devil's Plan is a lot more complicated and the UK version is a little simplefied, which I find refreshing, because I want to be entertained and not lectured.

The Devil's Plan although, the very first game, I haven't understood the rules nor what to do. It's so overly complicated with 5 or 6 tiers to the game and even more plots and twists, while "Genius Game" has only 3 layers and at max one more twist.

But you decide for yourselves. I might be just to simple for either show. Maybe it is because I am a non-native (English) speaker.

But both shows are good.

An interesting and clever game show with ordinary contestants who are all smart in their own rights. Competing in difficult, sometimes convoluted games where anything can happen. What's not to love. A definite good change to the boring and simpleminded shows which unfortunately draw in the majority of views. This shows deserves much more credit than it has been given all because people have to use their brains.

The show does need some refinement. Maybe to prevent so much teaming up of the contestants to all for more betrayals to make it more unpredictable. The host itself is great, Tennant does bring in enthusiasm.

Pick a stereotype then find the blandest personality of it and give them a puzzle box, make sure they talk a big game with lots of #iamverysmart claims of why their so cerebral and then put them together and watch them fight over some cheap resin blocks all for entertainment.

From the first round it's clear who thinks their better than the rest and who hasn't got a clue whats going on.

The problem with this opener is a lot of time is spent with back and forth mansplaining everything, yes the men take the lead in most of the conversations, and the women mostly just nod or agree.

The set is fancy and filled with knick naks but still feels ' cheap' like they tried to copy the crystal maze / doctor who's tardis theme with a big 'g' all over.

Similar shows - crystal maze / fort boyard, the cube, golden balls.

Probs keep watching out of morbid curio cos tv is lacking currently :D.

This is infinitely closer to the original Korean show than the dull Dutch version was. The weakest element is David Tennant who clearly filmed all his appearances months before any of the rest was shot; giving very "Krusty sending a video tape of himself to Kamp Krusty" energy.

If you're a fan of the classic The Genius this is certainly well worth a watch. It's got big personalities and variations on some great Genius games.

PS I'm not a fan of this trend of 'mind sport' game shows (Chess Masters, this...) giving the players superhero nicknames ("The Student," "The Chemist"...). It's utterly daft.