Latest news with #GeniusGame
Daily Mirror
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Destination X review: There's one issue with Rob Brydon's globetrotting game
Destination X could be the UK's next reality obsession with the nation's favourite uncle Rob Brydon at its helm, but there's one potential problem, writes TV Editor Lauren Morrris Since The Traitors established itself as a reality phenomenon with its first series in 2022, broadcasters have desperately tried - and failed - to recreate the BBC One hit. From Channel 4's Rise and Fall to ITV's latest reality game show Genius Game, these post-Traitors commissions have either failed to grip viewers from the outset or been too complex for them to follow. Now, the BBC may have found its next big reality hit with Destination X - a real-life version of the website GeoGuessr, fronted by Britain's favourite uncle Rob Brydon. Based on the American competition of the same name, Destination X flies 13 contestants out to a random country, where they must use a number of cryptic clues to guess exactly where in the world they are. Whether it's subtle signs in the airport or strategically-placed actors with very specific accents, the contestants must be observant enough to deduce where they may have been plonked on the planet. With the cast heading to a different location in a big RV each episode, they get to guess after a day of clues - and the one who's furthest away from the right answer is savagely dumped from the coach. It's Race Across the World meets Coach Trip with a sprinkle of The Masked Singer - but instead of guessing the disguised celebrity, both the contestants and viewers at home are trying to pinpoint the particular location. But more importantly, Destination X seems to tick every box on the Traitors ' checklist of success. There's the ever-charming host Rob Brydon, who's in his element as a globe-trotting game master. Dressed in a leather jacket and fedora outside one particular location, the comedian says: "I'm like Indiana Jones - well, the Lego version." Rob brings the lighter side to what can be a brutal game - the show delivers a rather cruel twist for a handful of contestants just minutes into the first episode. He's not the only one however, with the casting directors striking gold with their 13 contestants. There's London cabbie Daren, 58, who manages to accidentally proposition one of his fellow castmates as he waits for the game to start. The cheeky chappy provides a number of chuckleworthy moments as he competes to win the £100,000 to treat his wife 'Jacky P' to the kitchen of her dreams. He's there with crime writer Deborah, 62, who's hoping that her mystery-making skills will help her in the competition and the highly competitive Nick - an endurance athlete who proves he's not there to mess about in the first challenge when he shoves his way to the front of the check-in desk. What Destination X lacks in campness, it makes up for in strange hilarity with its various clues. For one particular challenge, Rob hires several pairs of twins to throw the contestants off their geographical scent, while at one point, the cast peek out of their confined box to see the latest clue: a man stood alongside a German Shepherd. It's these hints and red herrings that allow those at home to play along - however, they could also be the show's downfall. As Rob repeatedly reminds the contestants, to play the game, you must pay attention. With viewers' TV habits constantly changing and attention spans increasingly shrinking, Destination X could be too complicated for its own good. If you can keep up with the show's silly clues and subtle hints, then Destination X is a compelling and entertaining watch that will give you a mid-week lift over the next two months. If not, hopefully you'll get some holiday inspiration - well, when the destinations are finally revealed.
Glasgow Times
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
ITV's The Genius Game show facing the axe after poor ratings
The Genius Game, fronted by David Tennant, launched with 1.2 million viewers but by the time its finale aired, that number had halved to just 661,000. In an unexpected twist, the final episode's ratings were matched by Pangolins: The World's Most Wanted Animal, which looked at why the scaly creatures are so endangered. READ MORE: David Tennant's Genius Game sparks mixed reactions A TV insider told the Scottish Sun: 'Publicly, ITV maintains that no firm decision has been taken, but most execs and commissioners view it as a disaster. 'Not only did it occupy a primetime 9pm slot, it had a big-name host and was seen as a potential rival for BBC's The Traitors. "But of the five main channels on June 11, it was beaten by two and equalled by BBC2, thanks to those pangolins.' READ MORE: Scots comedian and Hollywood star join forces as iconic series returns The Genius Game, which cost an estimated £2.5 million to produce, featured contestants competing in mental challenges. Despite the poor performance, ITV has not yet confirmed whether the show will return. An ITV spokesperson said to the Scottish Sun: "No decision has yet been made."
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
ITV's 'most expensive flop' in years to be 'axed' after very low viewership
A new game show, which has been dubbed ITV's "most expensive flop" in years, is to be "axed" by the broadcaster. The programme starring Doctor Who and Broadchurch actor David Tennant is said to have suffered from very low viewing figures since its launch earlier this year. The Genius Game sees 11 contestants go head-to-head while testing their intelligence in what has been dubbed a "fiendish battle of wits". However, viewing figures from Broadcast Now have shown that only 1.2 million people tuned in to watch its first-ever episode. After 7 intense weeks of social strategy and betrayals, the final episode of #GeniusGame is ready for you on ITVX. — ITV (@ITV) June 12, 2025 Now, according to reports from The Metro and The Sun, the Genius Game starring David Tennant is at risk of being cancelled. An inside source claimed the show's future isn't optimistic after it failed to compete against Race Across The World on the BBC They said: "Publicly, ITV maintains that no firm decision has been taken, but most execs and commissioners view it as a disaster. "Not only did it occupy a primetime 9pm slot, it had a big-name host and was seen as a potential rival for BBC's The Traitors. 'Absolutely brilliant' show that is 'one of the best' of the 70s returning to TV Coronation Street fans label story 'predictable' as soap villain set for return Furious' Gregg Wallace 'breaks his silence' after being sacked by the BBC "But of the five main channels on June 11, it was beaten by two and equalled by BBC Two, thanks to those pangolins." Another source said that the whole of David Tennant is a beloved household name; his involvement with the show only increased costs and made it an even "bigger blow" for the broadcaster. However, an ITV spokesperson has said no decision about the show's future has been made.
Glasgow Times
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
David Tennant's new ITV show to be axed after low viewership
The programme starring Doctor Who and Broadchurch actor David Tennant is said to have suffered from very low viewing figures since its launch earlier this year. The Genius Game sees 11 contestants go head-to-head while testing their intelligence in what has been dubbed a "fiendish battle of wits". However, viewing figures from Broadcast Now have shown that only 1.2 million people tuned in to watch its first-ever episode. After 7 intense weeks of social strategy and betrayals, the final episode of #GeniusGame is ready for you on ITVX. — ITV (@ITV) June 12, 2025 David Tennant's new gameshow facing 'axe' after being branded 'most expensive flop' in years for ITV Now, according to reports from The Metro and The Sun, the Genius Game starring David Tennant is at risk of being cancelled. An inside source claimed the show's future isn't optimistic after it failed to compete against Race Across The World on the BBC They said: "Publicly, ITV maintains that no firm decision has been taken, but most execs and commissioners view it as a disaster. "Not only did it occupy a primetime 9pm slot, it had a big-name host and was seen as a potential rival for BBC's The Traitors. Recommended Reading: "But of the five main channels on June 11, it was beaten by two and equalled by BBC Two, thanks to those pangolins." Another source said that the whole of David Tennant is a beloved household name; his involvement with the show only increased costs and made it an even "bigger blow" for the broadcaster. However, an ITV spokesperson has said no decision about the show's future has been made.
Daily Mirror
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Top show 'at risk of axe' just weeks after first series as ITV offer update
Genius Game, hosted by David Tennant, launched earlier this year on ITV but there is already speculation about its future just weeks after its first series concluded last month There's speculation that ITV is "poised to axe" a show that launched just months ago. Genius Game drew comparisons to the Traitors but didn't reach the same viewing figures as its BBC rival in its first series, which aired earlier this year. Genius Game, which was hosted by David Tennant, saw eleven contestants compete in a series of games for the chance to win a cash prize. It launched in April and ran for eight episodes, with the finale having aired last month. The first episode, as previously reported, drew 1.2 million viewers but ratings dropped to 800,000 for the second episode. They are said to have reduced even further by the finale six weeks later and the show is now reportedly at risk. The Sun claims that ITV is "poised to axe" Genius Game. It reports that the show is believed to have cost £2.5 million but had an average audience of 661,000 by the end. The finale is said to have drawn the similar figures as a repeat of BBC Two 's Pangolins: The World's Most Wanted Animal. A source told the outlet that the game show is considered a "disaster" by some people. They claimed: "Publicly ITV maintains that no firm decision has been taken, but most execs and commissioners view it as a disaster. "Not only did it occupy a primetime 9pm slot, it had a big-name host and was seen as a potential rival for BBC's The Traitors. But of the five main channels on June 11, it was beaten by two and equalled by BBC2, thanks to those pangolins." A spokesperson for ITV however suggested to the Mirror this evening that the future of Genius Game following its debut series has yet to be decided. When approached for comment, they told us: "No decision has yet been made." As reported by Radio Times, according to Broadcast, BBC One show Race Across the World 's fifth season pulled in 4.2 million overnight viewers on June 11. That was the same night that Genius Game concluded with its own finale. According to figures, published by the outlet the following day, Genius Game did slightly surprass Pangolins - The World's Most Wanted Animal. It was listed as the third most watched show in its slot mong the five main channels. The outlet said that Race Across the World "blew away" its competition that night. It reported that an episode of Casualty 24/7: Every Second Counts on 5 was the closest to reaching its success with overnight figures of 718,000. It added that Genius Game on ITV followed with 661,000 and then BBC Two's Pangolins - The World's Most Wanted Animal with 660,000 viewers at the time. Whilst an episode of Britain's Most Expensive Homes is said to have brought 597,000 viewers to Channel 4 in the same slot. The first series of Genius Game saw eleven contestants compete in a series of challenges, with one player typically eliminated after each one. Like in shows such as the Traitors, some contestants engaged in social strategies to help with their efforts in a bid to make it all the way to the final. Viewers saw comedian Ken Cheng and student Charlotte Yeung reach the final after seven episodes. The pair went head-to-head in the eighth episode, which ended with Ken being named the winner and Charlotte the runner-up.
