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Reality TV has always loved a good game of deception and survival. That’s why there are so many reality competition favorites that have stood the test of time. Now, a new game is coming. Crowd There is a celebrity competition on mafia theme. It sounds exciting, but the show is facing a major problem even before it airs. The Hulu show is inevitably going to be compared to its counterpart, The Traitors. Audiences are already asking whether it can stand on its own or is just an attempt to recreate the success of The Traitors.
The Mob is scheduled to premiere on October 26. Its premise is relatively simple. The show brings together 12 celebrities competing for a cash prize of $250,000. Parker Posey is hosting, and the gameplay is built around mafia-style power struggles and eliminations. It sounds like traitors with secret alliances, betrayal and distrust.
However, there are no hidden “traitors” in this show. Instead, a contestant becomes the don and gains control over the money and the ability to eliminate players. Other contestants may conspire to snatch Don’s power. It’s a promising setup, but with The Traitors already setting a pretty high bar for deception-based reality TV, the new show will need more than a familiar formula to win over viewers.
Crowd is dividing fans even before Hulu premiere
In fact, the trailer for The Mob looks exactly like The Traitors. Parker hosting is definitely an asset and has fans excited. However, his eccentric vibe and unique style are already causing fans to draw parallels with popular host, the iconic Alan Cumming. Only time will tell whether The White Lotus Star will bring its own flavor and unique look or not.
Since the trailer’s release, viewers have questioned the celebrity lineup and the overall appeal of the show and its concept of deception. Some netizens also said that the crowd is an ethnic stereotype and may not be the best theme for a game. However, many fans are also eager to see the campy concept come to life with Parker at the helm.
“I’ll watch anything with Parker Posey, I’m a fan of the old school.” @laurylsilvers Wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “There are traitors in our house,” @Johnny___Martel Posted by being unhappy with the new game concept.
Fans on Reddit are discussing the celebrity contestants. Many are looking forward to seeing Willam Bailey (can we get more than one drag queen at a time on these shows?) and Sopranos star Debi Mazar (she might have a built-in advantage). On the other hand, other fans are not too excited to see Harry Jowsey and Joe Gorga.
The Mob is premiering with a fair amount of skepticism, but perhaps there’s enough curiosity among audiences that they’re looking for something even more engaging than The Traitors. The award-winning predecessor has proven that audiences love a unique blend of celebrity competition and changing power dynamics. Plus, with Studio Lambert, the production company behind The Traitors, involved in the project, the show is starting on a strong foundation.
But a familiar creative team and a recognizable format are only part of the equation. The question now is whether this cast-and-mob-movie theatrics can translate into compelling gameplay that’s unique enough that it doesn’t feel like it’s just another rogue-like.