The daily gossip: Embattled Netflix announces plans to make Squid Game real, Jared Leto had a 'lovely' experience with Elizabeth Holmes, and more

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Squid Game.
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1. Netflix is turning 'Squid Game' into a real competition

The takeaway from Squid Game was that having people compete for cash in a deadly competition is actually totally cool and good, right? Netflix clearly thought so. The streamer has announced plans to turn the hit Korean series into an actual reality competition show. Squid Game: The Challenge will see 456 players compete in a series of games for a $4.56 million prize, similar to the plot of the show — except, you know, for the part where a bunch of people die. Netflix proudly boasted Squid Game: The Challenge will feature the "largest cast and lump sum cash prize in reality TV history," and casting is underway. Of course, critics would argue a giant streaming company profiting off a show where people desperate for cash are pitted against each other betrays the entire point of Squid Game, but ... well, there's no but. Maybe Netflix should have actually watched the show before giving this idea the green light.

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Brendan Morrow

Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.