Graham Norton's new ITV reality series, The Neighbourhood, has been met with harsh criticism from both television reviewers and audiences, who have labelled it 'dreadful' and a 'brazen attempt to replicate the success of The Traitors'.
Premise and Reception
The 11-part reality show features real households from across the UK competing in a street-wide popularity contest, with a prize of £250,000 awarded to the last house standing. Chat show host Graham, 63, oversees the action and stirs up drama via a group WhatsApp chat. Despite its ambitious concept, the debut episode on Friday (April 24) failed to impress many viewers.
One viewer posted: 'Oh my goodness it was dreadful. I have a huge capacity for “drivel” TV but I couldn’t stay with this after 15 minutes. Awful TV.' Another wrote: 'Seems like ITV is trying desperately to make a show that will have the success The Traitors has.' A third commented: 'Turned it off, the biggest load of rubbish.' A fourth shared: 'I turned it off after 10 minutes.'
Critical Reviews
In a three-star review, Metro described the show as 'the latest – and arguably boldest – brazen attempt to replicate the colossal success of The Traitors.' The Guardian awarded it two stars, stating: 'Any sense of jeopardy is conspicuous by its absence. Norton lifts the energy when he’s there but is only present for the welcome and removals-voting.' The publication also branded The Neighbourhood a 'tired reality show'. The Telegraph echoed the sentiment in their two-star assessment: 'The show is full of quirky little design touches like this, and it seems as if the producers have put more thought into how it looks than how engaging it is to watch.'
Mixed Audience Reactions
However, not all feedback was negative. Some viewers expressed enjoyment, with one posting: 'Am I the only person who’s loving #TheNeighbourhood. I actually really like all the families. This is the type of normal people we want cast on Big Brother.' Another agreed: '#Theneighbourhood is gooood, better than Britain's got talent, i would put The neighbourhood on prime time saturday.'
Producer and Host Comments
Speaking at the show's launch in the Lake District, Graham said: 'Welcome to The Neighbourhood. Where you are now - this is Keep Your Enemies Close, and this is the hub of the show where all the drama, tensions and laughs will unfold right here.' He added: 'It has that combination of big challenges and also all the behind-the-scenes, behind-the-doors 24/7 filming, combining those with a life-changing prize of £250,000, and I was hooked.'
Ed Daggett, Development Executive at Lifted Entertainment, acknowledged comparisons to The Traitors, saying: 'The Traitors has been absolutely phenomenal in terms of the way it's attracted reality fans and people who may not normally come to reality shows. Of course, we would want to come close to that sort of success.'
Format Details
Families in The Neighbourhood participate in challenges to secure their place, but on 'removal day', contestants place a 'For Sale' sign outside the house of the person they wish to evict. Graham was first announced as host in February 2025, marking his first reality TV project. He told The Sun: 'Like everyone, I'm always intrigued by what goes on behind closed doors. Add to that some dastardly challenges and a life-changing prize and I'm hooked.'
The Neighbourhood airs on ITV1 and ITVX.
