ITV viewers have flocked to a new gameshow that’s drawn comparisons to BBC’s hit series The Traitors… as well as a certain iconic Carrot in a Box game.
Hosted by Stephen Mangan, The Fortune Hotel is set at a luxury hotel in the Caribbean and starts with 10 couples all being given a briefcase.
Eight cases are empty, one contains an early check-out card, and another contains a jackpot cash prize of £250,000.
During the series the contestants can bid and deal among each other to swap cases after undertaking various challenges.
The first episode hit screens on Monday night, and while many couldn’t help but compare Fortune Hotel to The Traitors, others were immediately reminded of the late Sean Lock’s genius mastery on 8 Out of 10 Cats’ ridiculous but hilarious game Carrot in a Box.
For anyone who needs reminding, Carrot in a Box saw Sean and Jon Richardson go head to head, with Jimmy Carr explaining that they each had a box in front of them – one had a carrot inside, and the other didn’t.
**Warning: strong language on the YouTube clip below.**
Sean, who died in August 2021 at the age of 58 after suffering from cancer, was allowed to look inside his box and then decide if he wanted to keep it or swap it with Jon, the aim being to be the person to end up with the carrot.
What followed was the stuff of TV legend, and it remains one of the most beloved memories of Sean among his fans.
So, as ITV viewers tuned in to watch Fortune Hotel and learnt that the contestants had to try to swap briefcases in a bid to win, the comparisons to Carrot in a Box were inevitable.
‘Sean Locke would have excelled at #FortuneHotel since this is based on carrot in a box,’ @ColBloodnok wrote on X.
‘Very long game of Carrot in the box, isn’t it?’ Corine remarked, while Matthew added: ‘FortuneHotel; a really elaborate, high stakes, big budget version of ‘Carrot in a box’ from 8 out of 10 cats.’
Considering how legendary Carrot in a Box turned out to be, we’re excited to see where this goes.
Amid the comparisons to The Traitors and Carrot in a Box, some fans said that they were excited to see how this new concept on The Fortune Hotel would out.
‘I feel like I can see myself checking in for the duration. It’s a hit!’ one viewer posted on X.
‘Ooh Fortune Hotel is a bit like The Traitors in the Caribbean. Even the music is similar,’ Karen shared.
‘Yes, it’s similar to The Traitors but I enjoyed that – nicer surroundings (too),’ another added.
Meanwhile Dylan said the show was ‘giving me a mix of The Traitors and Deal or No Deal’.
Taking on ITV’s answer to The Traitors, actor and comedian Stephen, 55, previously spoke about the difference between this game show and the BBC series hosted by Strictly star Claudia Winkleman.
‘First of all, we are in the sunny Caribbean. We’re not in a gloomy Scottish castle. That brings a whole different feeling to it. It just feels lighter and funnier,’ he said.
‘It’s a game of bluff, intrigue, forming alliances, all that good stuff, and it gets more and more gripping as the series goes on.
‘But what I love about this show is that it’s not just an hour of tension and drama. It’s funny and it’s fascinating how people behave. They ask each other blunt questions. Some people can’t lie and some are scarily good at it.’
Hot Property Picks from Metro
What I Own: My partner and I bought our own home before we were 30 — through a loophole
I pay £395 a month to live in an underground doomsday bunker
'Magical' town with two castles named best place to live in the South West
What I Rent: 'I pay £1,925 for a one bed flat but it revived my social life after divorce'
Someone is literally renting out their garden shed – for £1,300 per month
The Fortune Hotel continues at 9pm on ITV1.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : I was worried about Dad already – then he rang my doorbell at 1am
MORE : Widow’s humbling words to boy who killed her husband
MORE : Manchester United and Chelsea seek bright end to underwhelming campaigns
Share this with