The new reality competition show The Summit on ITV has drawn sharp criticism for its premise and contestants. The show gathers 14 strangers—none of whom have ever climbed a mountain before—to tackle a peak in the New Zealand Alps. The reviewer describes the group as 'vastly and vividly unfitted' for the task, with some participants seemingly unfamiliar with walking or the outdoors altogether.
Among the contestants are Thomas, a tour guide who dislikes heights; Tyra, who has completed Duke of Edinburgh bronze and silver awards; and Afton, a pageant and fitness coach who is the daughter of former reality TV star Dr Gillian McKeith. Afton wears a pink Lycra outfit and screams upon seeing mud. Other notable participants include Dockers, a self-professed 'alpha male', and Warren, a former Gladiators star who is now an Anglican minister.
Presenter Ben Shephard makes brief appearances to explain the rules: each contestant carries a share of the £200,000 prize pot in their backpack, and they must cooperate to reach the summit, or risk losing money. The group quickly shows animosity towards each other, with publican Miranda volunteering to lead but soon relinquishing the map in frustration. Dockers fails to impress during a rope challenge, earning the label 'omega male' from the reviewer.
The show features a 'Mountain Keeper' helicopter that intimidates contestants, and the reviewer criticises the final challenge instructions as nonsensical. Despite the hate-watch appeal, the reviewer expresses disdain for the show, the contestants, and themselves for watching.
