Sun, sea, sand and secrets
THE FORTUNE HOTEL ITV1, 9pm
AS soon as everyone realised the BBC had a massive hit on its hands with The Traitors, ITV producers must have started panic-brainstorming.
The result is this thrilling new – yet oh-so familiar – reality event that invites players to a game of deception in a luxury setting.
Stephen Mangan is the host. And he may not be Claudia in a tweed cape and fingerless gloves, but he has the wit and charm to carry the concept. “It’s time for sun, sand and secrets,” he teases.
At this unique hotel in the Caribbean, no less, 10 pairs of contestants are each given a briefcase. One contains the jackpot of £250,000. If they receive this, they are The Fortune Holders.
Eight suitcases are worthless. The pairs who receive one of these are The Fortune Hunters.
The remaining case contains the dreaded Early Checkout Card, putting them in serious danger of leaving.
This unlucky pair are The Unfortunates.
The rules are simple – find the money and keep hold of it. However, intense challenges, investigations, games and random instructions give opportunities for bluffing, lying, devious behaviour and case swaps.
As the “whohasit” mystery ramps up for the guests, tensions start to fray. Each episode ends in a nerve-shredding case swap in the Lady Luck bar, and an elimination.
Even the title logo, with sword and snake emblem, is remarkably similar to The Traitors, with its dagger. And with the haunting music playing in the background, it’s like The Fortune Hotel isn’t even pretending to be different.
But if it’s more ruthless, addictive telly, we’re ready for it.