The Fortune Hotel viewers all spot same thing as show starts on ITV
Fans said they picked up on similarities between the new series and The Traitors
What did you miss?
The Fortune Hotel has been branded "The Traitors with suitcases" after debuting on ITV.
Hosted by Stephen Mangan, the show sees 10 pairs of contestants employing all sorts of trickery in a bid to get their hands on a suitcase containing £250,000. Each pair has a case and during their stay at a luxurious Caribbean resort, they can swap them around to try and secure the prize.
However, as the programme got under way on Monday (May 13), many viewers claimed it was too similar to BBC series The Traitors, which is hosted by Claudia Winkleman. Some called it a “rip off” and a “copycat” of the game show.
What, how, and why?
The first episode saw Mangan welcoming the 10 pairs and the contestants opened their cases. One – the Fortune Holders - got the money, while eight had empty cases and were the Fortune Hunters. One duo, The Unfortunates, received the early check out card – which would mean elimination for whoever was caught with it at the end of the episode.
With the hopefuls keeping secrets and lying to win the contest, many fans suggested it was much like The Traitors. Some also thought the dramatic music was even similar.
Many posted messages on X to share their thoughts as it aired, with a couple saying that it was “The Traitors but with suitcases”. Someone else said it felt like a “knock off”, and one claimed: "The cloak-and-dagger-pop-song music is exactly the same as in The Traitors."
“Is this for people who didn't make it past the auditions process on the Traitors?” asked another. One viewer remarked: “This show is trying TOO HARD to copy The Traitors and it makes it worse.
"If you want a hit show, make it organic and get an audience from that. This is painful.”
“What in the Traitors rip off is this then?” said another. Someone else sniped: “Sorry but you’ve lost my respect, you’re not original and just a copycat of The Traitors which will ALWAYS be better. Yawn. Boring. Try better.”
What else did viewers say?
However, despite claims it was too like The Traitors, The Fortune Hotel did get the thumbs up from viewers, with many saying how much fun it was.
"So invested in The Fortune Hotel already," one said on X. Another person agreed: "I really enjoyed it. I'll be tuning in tomorrow."
"I just wanted to say that I loved the first episode of The Fortune Hotel," somebody else posted. "It's everything and more, knowingly aware of its comp titles but unafraid to make its own mark in the genre."
