[sjames]

I think the issue with The Circle is that it costs too much to make and having already been given a chance by viewers probably won't launch well or grow to make it worthwhile.

There are shows that Channel 4 could make that have twists and are dramatic but it's a closed shop. Those working in development who are much to blame for the lack of commissioning and living off past glories aren't going to give up their jobs so you end up with decisions/ideas coming mostly from the same people.

It's a shame as I felt the Circle had a lot of life still left in it. However I think the fault was having both a Celeb series and then Series 3 running back to back. Series 3 was also completed pre-recorded which lost a lot of the interactivity and live feel to it, even though it got talked about more due to the actions of some of the contestants.

The US version on Netflix has been too over the top and features forced personalities which doesn't make it enjoyable. Sometimes it's best to keep the premise simple and not change too much - The Traitors has changed very little from Series 1 to Series 2 and it still works just as well.