Television critic Christopher Stevens gave Channel 4 show Celebrity Hunted a rating of two stars out of five in his review. Stevens noted that critics are expected not to moan or seem curmudgeonly because the show benefits a great cause. However, he stated that the charity series might raise much more money for Stand Up To Cancer if it were not such a heap of weary codswallop.
Hunted has been running for 11 years following its initial launch in 2015. The series was originally billed as a sharp commentary showing how state surveillance strips away privacy through number plate recognition, facial recognition software, phone intercepts, and digital footprint tracking. Teams are challenged to go on the run and evade hunters while relying on their wits, their friends, and the kindness of strangers to survive under the radar.
State Surveillance and Manhunt Reality
Stevens argued that the show's premise of inescapable security services is a paranoid delusion. He compared the government to a panicking primary school teacher who has lost sight of half the children on a school trip and cannot make the rest pay attention.
To highlight state limitations, Stevens cited sex offender and small-boat migrant Hadush Kebatu, who was wrongly freed from prison last October. A £150,000 manhunt was launched for several days before Kebatu was found sitting on a bench in Finsbury Park, north London. The Home Office then bribed Kebatu £500 to go quietly when deporting him, with Stevens noting that at least the fugitives on Hunted must evade capture to win a prize.
Celebrities pictured from left to right are Lucy Conley, Brian Conley, Chris Taylor, Toby Aromolaran, Stuart Douglas, Scarlette Douglas, Carlos Gu, Amy Dowden, JJ Chalmers, Sophie Morgan, Laura Smyth, and Jen Brister.
Staff pictured in Hunter HQ are Georgina Bradley on the left, Ray Howard in the centre, and Steve Hersee on the right. Channel 4 maintains the pretence that its squad of ex-coppers and human bloodhounds can mimic state powers to find people wherever they run.
Celebrity Duos Evading Capture
Five celebrity duos are taking part in the chase, though contestants are handicapped by camera crews trailing them everywhere. Stevens suspected that the camera operator phones home every half hour to reveal contestant locations.
YouTube performers and former Love Islanders Chris Taylor and Toby Aromolaran held an advantage by remaining unknown outside their niche. Realising this, cameras largely ignored them until the pair hid in a giant ball pit. As they submerged, one yelled, "Mate, they'll never find us," and they were not seen again.
Comedian and EastEnders actor Brian Conley took the opposite approach, announcing "I'm famous!" to everyone he met. Conley introduced himself as "Just a run-of-the-mill showbiz legend," prompting Stevens to remark that hunters might track his ego via satellite.
Nature Show Review on BBC2
In a separate TV review section titled bonkers bake of the night, Stevens featured presenter Chris Packham sniffing out nature on Evolution on BBC2. Packham declared, "I can smell all of that decomposing leaf litter," calling it "forest fruitcake" and a "really rich, delicious mix of odours." Stevens commented that he would not fancy afternoon tea with him.
