Breathe Intense Competition, Little Transparency: MrBeast's Amazon Show Sparks Concerns
Amazon Prime Video is gearing up to release its highly-anticipated competition show, "Beast Games," hosted by YouTube star MrBeast, with a $5 million grand prize at stake. However, the show'sRather unusually stringent rules, coupled with concerns over working conditions and contestant treatment, have sparked criticism and cast a shadow over the initial excitement.
At the heart of the controversy lies the contestant agreement, which includes a whopping $500,000 penalty for leak of information before the show's release. Contestants are also warned that they might be portrayed in an unfavorable light during the show, providing producers with significant creative flexibility. An entertainment lawyer described the terms as "on steroids," emphasizing the producers' aim to safeguard themselves from liability while allowing maximum creative freedom.
The show's reputation has taken a hit in recent months, as contestants came forward with claims of inadequate food, medical care, and safety protocols during filming in Las Vegas. The issues are further compounded by allegations of exploitation, prompting a lawsuit filed in September. Representatives for MrBeast and Amazon have declined to comment on the matter.
Nonetheless, "Beast Games" promises to be an action-packed spectacle, with over 2,000 contestants battling it out in a series of physically demanding challenges. The show's host, MrBeast, has drawn in a massive audience with his YouTube persona, with over 337 million subscribers to his name. He reportedly earned $100 million for the show, hinting at its massive production scale.
The show's release date has been set for December 19th, with the first two episodes premiering on Amazon Prime Video, followed by weekly rollouts of additional episodes. The decision not to send screeners to media outlets, in an effort to preserve the "surprise and delight" aspect of the show, has also been noted. As "Beast Games" gears up to challenge the TV landscape, it remains to be seen how this complex web of controversy, creativity, and competition will unfold.