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.

I'm a huge fan of the Korean version of this game. A even bigger fan of The Devils Plan. There is a number of issues with the English version. 1. The casting is awful. You have chosen what you think western media wants which is drama, however its more bickering and zero strategizing. I feel like I'm watching some low quality Kardashian bs instead a game show about intelligence, social/political skills, problem solving/math and memory. Having a face to the host as well pulls the viewer out of the tension. 2. The show does an awful job of explaining the rules or creating a game thats actually challenging. The producers obviously thought this was a cash grab but have just shown that white people (I'm white) really are the most basic spiceless people. There's zero intrigue or reason to feel invested in the personalities and they are by no mean geniuses in their own right.

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.

Yes, it's all very clever and I can keep up with the various strategies (where there were any) but what's the point of a TV show - to entertain! And, unfortunately, Genius Game falls way too short of that goal. It's too complicated for casual watching and I'm not convinced, by their actions, that many of the players had ANY kind of plan so trying to follow what they're up to is, therefore, impossible.

And, if you're after a show such as The Traitors where the social interaction, actions and the convincing lying is, indeed, entertaining then this isn't it. It could have been but I got half way through episode 1 of Genius Game and thought of watching paint dry instead.

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.