The Circle is a reality competition show filled with gameplay, twists, and secret alliances. Unlike its predecessors, The Circle is played virtually, with the contestants not seeing each other face-to-face until the very end. Until then, the participants reside comfortably in furnished individual apartments in the same building. Over the course of a few weeks, contestants communicate through a social media style chat feature and participate in a variety of challenges. Given the virtual format, they are able to compete for the $100,000 prize either as themselves or as someone else (a “catfish”). At the end of each week the players rank each other in a way eerily similar to the Black Mirror episode “Nosedive,” where the highest ranking players (the “Influencers”) choose which other player to eliminate. Despite the lack of starvation, rickety campsites, or fear that a monsoon could take out the only shelter for miles at any second, is this show actually a new-age Survivor?
Yes and no. To start with the “no,” clearly it’s a much more comfortable Survivor-esque show. The challenges are not physical, unless you consider doing makeup on a mannequin physical. Participants are not forced to eat grubs, but instead are tested in mental dexterity, as the “catfish” in the Circle have to think of believable answers as their character. Someone accustomed to watching Survivor for the survival element would be utterly bored by The Circle, but those of us who like the challenges and the “outwit” aspect of Survivor’s “outwit, outplay, outlast” mantra can appreciate the strategy in The Circle.
Now, onto the “yes.” First and foremost, the alliances! Contestants on both shows form alliances as a safety net to make it to the final stage of the competition. Due to the lack of in-person communication on The Circle, the alliances during the first two seasons of the American show seem to be more legitimate. Unlike Survivor, contestants can’t easily be swayed by a late night romantic 1-on-1 on the beach filled with emotional appeal. But, similar to Survivor, when a contestant reveals a moving personal detail about their lives in a private setting, the other Circle contestants quickly bond to that player.
The most vital similarity between the two shows is their strategic nature, which factors into eliminations. On both shows, each contestant plays differently: some are nice to everyone and try to use that to get to the end, some form fast and strong alliances, some come in over-confident and try to charm their way to the top, and some are not afraid to backstab others in their determination to win. Regardless of which strategy a player uses, it will factor into their longevity in the game. Like those in Survivor who get eliminated first for not being conversational with their Tribe, if a contestant on The Circle doesn’t start a private chat with at least two other players at the start of the game, their days are almost always numbered. Whether it’s the winning prize of $100,000 on The Circle or the $1 million from Survivor, contestants will do anything to get to the end, but some strategies are more effective than others.
Survivor is constantly adapting, as they have needed to in order to last 40 seasons (and counting), from the introduction of immunity idols, to the newest addition of fire coins. The Circle could follow this lead, and maybe introduce an immunity idol as well. For the shock-value alone, it would be amazing to see an “Influencer” in the Circle decide to “block” or eliminate another player, only for that player to be safe due to their advantage. Better yet, a Survivor/Circle crossover season would be amazing. The contestants could be separated, of course, but marooned on an island forced to create their own food, water, and shelter. It’s a little iffy whether today’s influencers would be able to handle fending for themselves, but even if they can’t, it would make great television.
Reality competition shows like The Circle and Survivor provide viewers with a touch of escapism, a peek into human psychology, and an opportunity for self-reflection as you consider your own game plan if you were on the show. Would you hunt for immunity idles and throw your competitor under the bus for $1 million? Would you compete as a catfish and attempt to manipulate the other players into ranking you #1? If you enjoy competition shows and haven’t yet watched The Circle, this new-era series is definitely worth checking out. You might even see Lance Bass on the show!