December 30th 2024.
The highly-anticipated reality competition series, Beast Games, has finally landed on Amazon Prime Video and viewers have been left with mixed reactions. Created by popular YouTuber MrBeast, also known as Jimmy Donaldson, this show has already broken several records. With a whopping $5 million cash prize, it holds the title for the largest cash prize in TV and streaming history. And not just that, it also reportedly had a budget of $100 million, making it one of the most expensive shows ever produced.
In Beast Games, one thousand contestants face off in a series of intense challenges - physical, mental, and social - all for a chance to win the grand prize. Some have compared it to other popular dystopian shows like Squid Game and Hunger Games. However, before the show even aired on December 19, it faced numerous controversies. Contestants came forward with claims of sexual harassment, inhumane working conditions, and inadequate pay. But MrBeast defended the show, stating that the allegations were blown out of proportion.
Despite the hype surrounding the show, the first episode left many viewers appalled. Some even called it "dystopian" and "sadistic", with its portrayal of contestants behaving in "appalling" ways in order to stay in the competition. One Twitter user expressed their disgust, saying, "#BeastGames represents the worst of human nature, selfish, individualistic, push someone down so you can stand high all directed by a guy who broke the system and now throws endless amounts of money around to push people to their limits. It's squid game capitalism."
However, not all viewers were critical of the show. Some found it entertaining and praised it for its uniqueness. One fan wrote, "Beast Games is so damn good. I'm shocked." Another admitted that while the show may showcase the selfish and money-obsessed side of human beings, it still made for good television. They said, "It does make human beings seem selfish and violently obsessed with money But it's good TV... and I'm sad to admit that I myself enjoyed it."
Amidst all the backlash, MrBeast addressed the criticism and defended the show, stating that it will only get better as more episodes air. He also responded to IGN giving the show a low rating, saying that it's unfair for one person's dislike for him to affect the overall rating of the show.
However, the controversies surrounding Beast Games did not end there. In August, a contestant came forward with claims that they were not properly fed or hydrated during filming. Another contestant mentioned that when they requested more underwear, they were told it was not a "medical emergency". It was also reported that contestants were deprived of sleep, food, and medical care, and some even suffered physical injuries. In November, five anonymous contestants filed a lawsuit against MrBeast and Amazon, citing insufficient wages, sexual harassment, and mistreatment.
Despite all the negative attention, Beast Games continues to be a highly-talked-about show. And while it may have faced its fair share of controversies, it's not the only expensive show out there. Other shows like The Rings of Power, Stranger Things, Andor, WandaVision, Game of Thrones, and The Last of Us have also racked up millions in production costs. Even shows like Friends, which ended in 2004, had a whopping budget of $10 million per episode in its final seasons.
We've reached out to MrBeast and Amazon for their comments on the controversies surrounding Beast Games. In the meantime, you can catch the show streaming on Amazon Prime Video. And if you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, don't hesitate to reach out to us - we'd love to hear from you.
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