The Anonymous

So far, we have a one star and two star review. I will be generous and give it three stars. Only giving it a three because I like the premise of the show, but where do they get these people? The guys are whiney when they're nominated. Dudes - look in the mirror, there are reasons you are being nominated! Too much camera time is given to Dillian, who whines the most and overacts with silly antics and faces. I don't know if I will be able to finish the series. There is no one I am rooting for to win. On the contrary, I am rooting for people to be evicted from the show. Not recommending The Anonymous.

In really like the concept. There are a few likeable cast members. A couple were boring, but for the most part this held my interest and kept me wanting to go into the next episode. Lots of interesting twists. I wish the language was censored. But it wasn't crazy heavy as far as that goes. I wish there was a reunion portion or a little bit of discussion after the finale. I would have definitely liked to see what some of the earlier cast thought of the progression of the game and who won. The house they are in is very cool!! The anonymous rooms were fun and I actually wish that portion lasted longer. The more anonymous interaction the better. Would watch a second season.

This game show has elements of reality play that other social games have, like "Survivor" or "Big Brother". The contestants live in a communal building called the "Square House". They spend much of their living time in the "Round House", a large ring with a central open space, where eliminations occur. And they spend some of their time in underground bunkers called "Hideouts", where they communicate anonymously via text-like messages.

Overseeing the process is a host alleged to be A. I. The competition includes two types of games: some that contribute to the overall prize pot (which is $100,000 maximum) and some that determine who is the "Anonymous". While they are in their hideouts, their identities are unknown; they use screen names. And we all know that people who communicate anonymously online often behave differently than in real life.

The idea is to form bonds, but to strategically use your anonymous communications to confuse the other players. Periodically, they players take a test where they guess the identities that the other screen names belong to. You become the "Anonymous" if your identity is the least identified. And you get to choose which player is eliminated from the game.

This is a game of deception. And it is a mind game. Good players have analytical skills, but also know how to use their gut feelings. Among the contestants in the first season are a board game champion, a professional poker player, a lobbyist, and some with ties to other reality shows.

This game will appeal most to viewers who like reality game shows or games of deception, like "The Mole".

I really liked the concept of this show, intertwining both interpersonal connections with that of the anonymous interactions that occur through the web/text. It really highlighted the difference of emotions that come out of people based on the platform in which they interact. Reminds me of driving a car, the human is more or less removed and all we see are cars, so it makes it easier to honk like a holes, flip birds, etc... but this isnt something people would do face to face with one another. Just a facet of human psychology that this show exploits quite well. I enjoyed the new age tech that they showed off - I think this show has something to build upon. Hope they make another.

As a former reality show producer, I feel the best way to review a show like this is by offering my professional opinion. Please forgive me if this comes across as self indulgent.

If I had to guess, the show creators thought showing the way people act when hidden behind a screen name would make for a fascinating and fun premise in a competition reality show. I think it's a great idea too! But like them, I don't know how that would work. I think they put the cart before the horse on this one and are relying heavily on this singular game mechanic with nothing filling the space around it.

My hope is they are finding their footing and recognize what worked and didn't work in this first season. Although this isn't a great show yet, I truly believe it could be!