There was a time when Netflix was the home of series and movies. And then, as the next logical move, they decided to broaden their spectrum so that everyone exiled from traditional television would have their little corner: they started launching talk shows, true crimes, sports, cooking shows, all kinds of classic formats among which, of course, was the reality show.
In 2016, it all started with Ultimate Beastmaster, a show showcasing strength sponsored by Sylvester Stallone, but soon all kinds of competitions began to emerge: dating, intelligence, cooking, Big Brother style, innovative and traditional. And among this tangled mess full of original options and -let’s not deny it- infamous duds, a classic show was reborn and demonstrated what it was capable of: Who is the mole?
Spending money like there’s no tomorrow
Really, who is the mole? was created outside of Netflix in 1998 for Belgian TV1, at a time when Big Brother didn’t even exist yet. In that proto-reality show, contestants had to go through various physical and intelligence tests, trying to find out who was sabotaging them (the mole, whose identity would not be revealed until the end of the season). The show is so juicy that it jumped to the televisions of Spain, Australia, France, Finland or, of course, the United States.
And this is where the phenomenon itself began: The Mole premiered on ABC back in 2001, and had enough success to last for 5 seasons, including two with celebrities. In 2008, it was deemed that the show had run its course and it was canceled, despite the format’s potential. Here, Netflix saw that it was available and decided to buy the rights to air at least two more seasons, between 2022 and 2024.
The program, regardless of the format, couldn’t be more fun, especially when the contestants pretend to be the mole so that the rest of the world votes against them (and, therefore, they do poorly and have more chances of being eliminated). From losing all the accumulated money in exchange for immunity to failing the tests on purpose to make others suspicious of them, the contestants of Who is the mole? couldn’t be more outrageous, maddening, and fascinating, a real twist if all the reality TV you’ve watched in your life is The Kardashians and Big Brother.
Fortunately, the reality landscape is changing, and the audience is no longer satisfied with Playing with Fire or any silly television show to pass the time watching good-looking people: now, with the rise of The Traitors, strategy has gained strength, thinking, pondering, regardless of your physical appearance: in a world that increasingly values the gym, looks, and thinness, Who is the mole? focuses on using your head. Which, frankly, we really need.
If you are curious, you are in luck because you have two seasons on Netflix with 10 episodes each waiting for you to discover them. With the third installment still unconfirmed (but not canceled either) and gradually gaining followers, now is the time to hop on board and discover that there is a world beyond casual flirting, sculptural bodies, and loud music: the one that makes you think. What more do you need to discover your new summer obsession?