Marina Hyde has advised James Acaster to 'toughen up' following his complaints about the rules of Celebrity Traitors, pointing out that he is being paid £40,000 for around 10 days' work.
Acaster's behind-the-scenes complaints
James Acaster, 41, has become one of the most compelling figures in the second series of Celebrity Traitors, having been made a Traitor despite openly attempting to be the consummate investigative Faithful.
However, he has also been candid, telling one publication about his frustration at having a production team member present during telephone conversations with his partner.
In an interview with the Times, he explained: "A member of the production team is there with you, so you can't have an authentic conversation because you can't tell them anything that's happening. At one point my partner said, 'Have you caught the sun?' I was saying, 'Oh yeah, we were outside for one of the missions.' I was told I couldn't even tell her that."
Osman and Hyde respond
Following these remarks, journalist and commentator Marina Hyde weighed in on the situation alongside fellow The Rest Is Entertainment podcast host Richard Osman.
Responding to Acaster's comments, Richard observed: "When James says it's just a game and the production team would do well to remember that, the thing is it's not just a game, it's a television show about a game. And I am absolutely certain that they would have overstepped lines which the talent would rather they hadn't overstepped because their job is incredibly difficult and you need to keep things as tight as you possibly can."
Marina, sharing Richard's viewpoint, believed James ought to adjust his perspective. She remarked: "You can't call your family because you've been told in the rubric of the show before you go on it and before you sign the contract that that's part of the game....You've got to toughen up."
She continued: "You're being paid 40 grand for like 10 days work or something and you're doing it for disadvantaged people so try and remember your chosen charity and just push it down."
Marina further stated: "I mean really. I honestly think that you know what it is, if you go into a game called Traitors, there is a chance you might be made a traitor, there is a chance things might happen to you...in the end you're a grown up and you've got to get through it."
Richard E Grant's experience
Acaster is not the only Celebrity Traitors participant to shed light on the behind-the-scenes reality of the programme. Richard E Grant, an early elimination from the series, has similarly discussed the extent to which celebrities relinquish control while competing.
In conversation with the BBC, he revealed: "You are so institutionalised in that thing within 24 hours, because you are isolated, kept in a room, there is a guard outside your door, your food is delivered and there's no internet access.
"So you are kind of shut down. You are also not told what time it is and are also prescribed on a daily basis what you are going to wear. So, you are kind of infantilised and institutionalised at the same time."
