THE Fortune Hotel viewers have joked the BBC should call the cops after noticing similarities between its hit show The Traitors and rival ITV’s latest offering.
No doubt keen to capitalise on the success of the Claudia Winkleman fronted show, The Fortune Hotel does its best to bring plenty of drama with deceit, challenges and eliminations.
However, it’s a little too familiar for some.
After last night’s launch episode, SuperTV wrote on X: “The fortune hunters are LITERALLY TRAITORS. They’re murdering in the night. Studio Lambert CALL THE POLICE! ITV have robbed your format.”
Picking up on host Stephen Mangan’s term for contestants, it added: “He’s just called them ‘unfortunates’ like that isn’t a play on faithfuls and unfaithfuls come ON.”
Another viewer bluntly wrote: “Just a traitors rip off, really can’t they think of something original, not really grabbing me, prefer traitors.”
A third person said: “Willing to give it a chance but thought the core format point actually made dreadfully dull television.
“There was zero tension there as once the checkout card was handed over it was gameover – and most didn’t swap anyway. Maybe all but 1st place should have to swap.”
The concept of the game sees 10 pairs battling it out to win a suitcase containing £250,000 of cash.
Each pairing has a case, though eight are empty and one contains a checkout card, which results in an elimination if held at the end of each show.
The duo with the cash in their case knows it, as do viewers, and they have to manipulate the other contestants and be master bluffers to ensure they keep hold of the loot and avoid an early departure.
In a first look at tonight’s show, mother and son duo Will and Jo-Anne have a heated row after a tricky trial.
The pair are seen in a transparent rowing boat in the turquoise water.
Jo-Anne is tasked with lowering a magnet to reclaim a paddle from the seabed.
Sitting behind her, Will barks: “Is that as far as it will go? To your left.”
When his mum gets defensive, Will replies: “All right, chill out. I’m trying to give you instructions.”
The duo then clash in a chat to camera back on dry land.
Will says: “Start listening to me rather than…
“Stop flapping in situations like that.”
He interrupts his mum as she tries to argue back, saying: “No this is serious though, stop flapping in situations.”
Jo-Anne sulkily stuffs her fingers into her ears and looks downwards.