[tivotvaddict]

Anyone watch this? It's a bit like Big Brother, but contestants live in separate apartments in the same building. They communicate via a social media network called The Circle. The messages are dictated verbally, so we see that as well as their reactions to other postings, which is far more interesting than I thought it might be.

Some contestants choose to be catfishes, which has its own challenges.

Seems like it's a hit for Netflix, which isn't too surprising since it was first a hit in the UK. At just 12 episodes (4 were released each week over 3 weeks) it's a pretty easy binge and easily watched while doing other things like... scrolling through social media. It does seem likely this will spawn more reality shows on streaming services like Netflix.

 

[Howie]

I, for one, will not be happy to see reality shows come to Netflix.

 

[realityboy]

It’s not the first one nor the last. It’s easy enough to ignore if you don’t like it. While I’m sure it uses some small portion of the budget that could be used on a scripted show, it doesn’t take up a time slot like on network/cable tv.

I watched this as it came out. 4 eps per week for 3 weeks. It was ok. Maybe a little boring to me, but my husband really liked it.

 

[realityboy]

They actually have more than I thought. Although they do use a pretty broad definition of reality. I'm generally only interested in reality competitions (usually social/strategic games).

Reality TV Shows | Netflix Official Site

 

[tivotvaddict]

They actually have more than I thought. Although they do use a pretty broad definition of reality. I'm generally only interested in reality competitions (usually social/strategic games).

Reality TV Shows | Netflix Official Site

You're right, they do have a pretty big variety. Cheer is getting some good buzz but I haven't seen it yet. The British Backing show is more closely aligned with Top Chef than FoodTV's competitions, thankfully.

Have you seen the UK versions of The Circle? Supposedly it has a bit more of the strategy, at least in comparison with the US version.

One element I enjoyed seeing is the design aspect. Each apartment having a completely different design yet the same basic layout hammered home how much design brings to a space. And seeing "Rebecca" in the all-pink apartment was extra special.

 

[realityboy]

You're right, they do have a pretty big variety. Cheer is getting some good buzz but I haven't seen it yet. The British Backing show is more closely aligned with Top Chef than FoodTV's competitions, thankfully.

Have you seen the UK versions of The Circle? Supposedly it has a bit more of the strategy, at least in comparison with the US version.

One element I enjoyed seeing is the design aspect. Each apartment having a completely different design yet the same basic layout hammered home how much design brings to a space. And seeing "Rebecca" in the all-pink apartment was extra special.

I haven't seen the UK version, but I saw that Netflix used the same building. The US people seemed focused on finding catfish and people being themselves, but in the end, it didn't really matter that much. Netflix also did a French and Brazilian version. I wonder how those are?

 

[tivotvaddict]

I haven't seen the UK version, but I saw that Netflix used the same building. The US people seemed focused on finding catfish and people being themselves, but in the end, it didn't really matter that much. Netflix also did a French and Brazilian version. I wonder how those are?

I heard on one of the RHAP casts that Netflix has a "coming soon" type of banner about the French version, so I think we'll be able to see that one, maybe the Brazilian one too.

 

[realityboy]

I heard on one of the RHAP casts that Netflix has a "coming soon" type of banner about the French version, so I think we'll be able to see that one, maybe the Brazilian one too.

They both come up when I search for The Circle on Netflix, but I haven't seen a date.

 

[Dan203]

The only reality show I watch on Netflix is "Nailed It!". Just because it's funny to see how ridiculous some of the stuff comes out. To be fair to the contestants they're given almost no instructions on how to do even basic things, or even introduced to the tools available, and they're given a ridiculously low amount of time to complete the tasks* but it's still funny.

Other than Netflix I watch Survivor, Big Brother and occasionally The Amazing Race. (I decide season by season if I'm in the mood for that one)

My wife on the other hand watches practically every reality show in existence from house wives, to cooking/baking shows, to court shows, to MTV garbage like Teen Mom and Catfish. I don’t know how she keeps up with it all.

* They're typically given 1:30-2:00 for the final task which is typically the type of cake you'd see on one of the other baking shows take a team of 2-3 people 5+ hours to complete. I'm not even sure the professional hosts would be able to do a decent job in the short period of time they're given.

 

[realityboy]

Both The Circle Brazil and The Circle France are available now. I watched the first episode of The Circle Brazil yesterday. It seems like a fun group. A few mentioned that they had been discriminated against in the past for being northeasterners. I don’t really know much about Brazil so maybe I’ll learn something. I’ve learned a bit about all of the Canadian provinces from watching 7.5 seasons of Big Brother Canada.

 

[tivotvaddict]

Both The Circle Brazil and The Circle France are available now. I watched the first episode of The Circle Brazil yesterday. It seems like a fun group. A few mentioned that they had been discriminated against in the past for being northeasterners. I don't really know much about Brazil so maybe I'll learn something. I've learned a bit about all of the Canadian provinces from watching 7.5 seasons of Big Brother Canada.

That's JUST the news I needed today! Was deciding if I was going to work or watch TV all day, clearly it's been decided.