Amanda Holden’s latest project on the BBC has been met with a rather underwhelming reaction to put it lightly, with some viewers branding it “appalling”, “weak”, and “utter drivel”.
Celebrity Inner Circle, a new quiz show fronted by Ms Holden, premiered on Saturday night on the channel, landing a prime-time spot before Strictly Come Dancing.
Initially billed by BBC bosses as an “innovative and exciting new quiz show”, the programme saw Ms Holden pair budding quizzers up with a handful of celebrity partners.
Together, each contestant was given a mystery sum of cash ranging from zero to £5,000. However, they weren’t required to reveal how much they were holding to their fellow competitors.
BBC Inner Circle: Amanda Holden and the cast of the premiere
| BBC
What followed was a series of quizzes and challenges where each contestant, guided by their celeb, had to use their knowledge while also figuring out which of their competitors was most trustworthy.
That’s because at the end of the show, once just two players remain, they are asked whether they’d like to “split or shaft” however much money they’ve been concealing during the show.
If the quizzers decide to “split”, they share 50-50 all the money between them. If one “shafts” the other after they’ve opted to “split”, the shafter pockets the lot. If they both “shaft”, each player goes home empty-handed.
Inevitably, parallels with former quiz shows were drawn by several viewers at home, with The Weakest Link and Goldenballs two programmes that many felt had inspired Ms Holden’s latest show.
However, it’s safe to say many don’t foresee Celebrity Inner Circle replicating the longevity of either of those two programmes.
Taking to X to express their dismay, one viewer fumed: “@BBC, what have we done to deserve this absolutely appalling #celebrityinnercircle? License fee payers deserve better!”
“This is truly appalling. #innercircle #celebrityinnercircle #thecelebrityinnercircle,” a second added before a third simply put: “What an awful quiz #innercircle is. #bbc. Utter drivel.”
Elsewhere, a fourth hit out: “#Innercircle what a load of absolute s***. BBC you are totally wrong here, it will not get a second series …..please.”
BBC Inner Circle: Amanda Holden’s new show has been panned by viewers
| BBC
A fifth was slightly more sympathetic: “I’m always open to a new quiz, but this is a poor showing from the #BBC. The rules are not clear, and from start to finish, it is too confusing and chaotic. Won’t be watching again. #celebrityinnercircle.”
“This is a weak BBC2 daytime TV quiz #TheCelebrityInnerCircle. And I’m being generous there. #innercircle #bbc,” a sixth echoed.
While another weighed in: “I love Amanda (her programme with Alan Carr & Thoroughly Modern Millie), but I don’t see a season 2 of this. Utter load of rubbish. #celebrityinnercircle.”
Among the naysayers were one or two who did enjoy the new quiz show, however. “#InnerCircle quiz game was good this eve, on BBC would make a great board game, which is probably the intention,” one X user argued.
BBC Inner Circle: Lou Sanders and Jeff Brazier were two of the celebs taking part
| BBC
Ms Holden may want to stay off social media following the first episode’s premiere, especially as she said prior to the show’s broadcast: “I’m so excited to be part of this thrilling new quiz that challenges contestants and entertains viewers in equal measure.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to bring something fresh and fabulous to weekday afternoons and Saturday night TV, and I can’t wait to see the audience reactions,” she told the Beeb.
Speaking to Metro ahead of its launch, Ms Holden also delved into what made her agree to take on the presenting gig.
“I made it up as I went along. That’s the thing that really sold it to me, because I felt like I could be funny and sassy – or try to be funny,” she said.
“There were no rules. I didn’t feel stuck in a box or nervous or worried because they trusted me to let loose. They said they wanted somebody slightly dangerous, so they got me.”
Addressing the comparisons with other quiz shows that were inevitably drawn, she said: “I love Anne Robinson, but I think I’m mainly just me.
“I’ve spent years working with Ant and Dec, who make everything look easy, and that is a gift, and that has taken years and years of experience.
“Observing people like that and seeing how professional and quick they are, but also friendly and affable and professional, I’ve learnt from people like that. But I definitely will say I have my own style, because I’m quite off the cuff most of the time.”
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