Whodunnit is such fun to watch! It's a Reality Clue-like murder mystery show in which a different "detective/guest" gets "murdered" on every new episode. It's up to the remaining contestants to solve how the "murder" took place. They split up and choose one of three places to help them solve the crime. They choose between "Last known whereabouts", "The scene of the crime", and "The morgue" to gather information and discover clues. Since each contestant can only visit one place, everyone is relying on the others to share information. This is where it gets tricky: you don't want to give away all of the information you have, but you need information from the other contestants. People tend to fudge things a little at this point. After everyone tries to dig information out of each other, they have to individually present their "case" to a camera in a room by themselves. The contestants that do well with solving the crime are presented with a card that says, "Safe". Those that don't do so well are presented with a card that says, "Scared". Those with a "Scared" card are eligible to be eliminated in a (fake) but gruesome way which creates the next crime to be solved. I cannot stress enough that this is a guilty pleasure show, don't take it too seriously, relax and just enjoy it!
15 Reviews
Great fun, even though the rules are a little sketchy
gridoon20242 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
"Whodunnit?" is a strange, unusual hybrid of a reality and a scripted show; the contestants are real people (i.e. not actors) competing for a prize, but they are also required to play certain parts so as to keep the illusion of a genuine murder mystery (which is what actors do); those who get "killed" have to play dead (sometimes with gruesome makeup on) and the others have to act shocked and scared by the events around them. The rules are a bit muddled: for example, a big deal is made about correctly guessing WHO the killer is, but that doesn't seem to really matter much (for example - spoiler alert - the winner guesses incorrectly who the killer is throughout the season!). And if one of the contestants is the killer, doesn't that mean that they never even have a chance of winning the $250,000 prize? (in fact, I had a theory that there was no pre-ordained "killer", that the killer would be whoever finished the last task in 2nd place, but reading/watching more about the show, apparently I was wrong). The elimination order is ideal; the Final 6 is without a doubt the best possible Final 6. The riddles are cleverly designed, the contestants are smart and sharp, there are plenty of surprises in store, the production values are excellent, and the final episode is one of the most frenetic and enjoyable 42 minutes of television I can remember seeing. How this knockout program got only one season, while a million cooking/dating/"singing" shows get a million seasons each, is a mystery worthy of its own whodunit show! Catch this one if you can. *** out of 4 (last episode is a ***1/2).
Not bad.
lydiajksnicket2 March 2018
The show is certainly not perfect, but as a fan of "Escape the Night," I found this show, which has a very similar set-up (Occasional confessions, a death nearly each episode, mostly improvised, challenges to complete), pretty good. The murders are compelling to watch, especially in the sixth episode.
I admire them giving some new people a chance to shine, but I think the show would've had more appeal had they had some star power. I honestly knew who none of these people were. A lot of red herrings, one thing would be presented but that might not have been what actually killed them.
The show does have some plotholes, such as during certain killings how the killer could be in two places at once. Lots of morbid puns.
Take it for what it's worth. It's not completely bad, but it doesn't achieve even close to perfection. If you're a fan of "Escape the Night," or any show that's similar, this might be good for you to give a view.
Great fun to watch!
lutz-modguru2 July 2013
Loved it from the get go! What fun to watch a real life 'Clue' unfold in a public venue. I've seen the first two episodes and have to give each a 'two thumbs up with great glee!' It doesn't take itself too seriously, as perhaps some of the 'Guests' do, but then that only adds to the fun. No spoilers here. Great special effects--great foods--great gossip--great mystery. Even the Butler lends tremendous entertainment in his witticisms and understatements. Leaves one only wishing they too could join in to the folly of it all. The scenery and settings are perfect for this--functional, garish as needed and opulent. Please enjoy!
Doesn't hold a candle to the Cluedo series from the 90's
anjusabu26 June 2013
I was really excited about this show when I heard about it because I love whodunnits. However, it put me off the minute the contestants started speaking - reminded me too much of silly reality shows with the pointless self-centered drama. It had more of "the bachelor" feel than a murder mystery. The guests seem rather annoying and more focused on the prize than actually solving a murder and getting into the details. It would have been much better if they knew what they were there for rather than get all melodramatic. I'm guessing it's only a matter of minutes before they get personal and start complaining about the others and making personal attacks or talking about themselves. It doesn't seem like a intriguing game at all! For once, a murder mystery succeeded in getting me to not care who did it. Sorry, but this was so disappointing because I guess I was hoping for an intelligent "Cluedo" revival.
Stupid but fun
cherold15 July 2021
I love whodunnits, and I love this show because of that. This show is just chock full of clues, and allows the viewer to play along, trying to figure out exactly what happened. It's not as much of a mind teaser as Agatha Christie, but it's entertaining.
On the other hand, I could do without all the reality show nonsense; the way they make the contestants act as though these are real murders, the reaction shots edited in to create a story other than the one that actually happened.
I wish there were an alternate version of this show, in which it was filmed, not to be typical reality fare, but to show how people really reacted, show them making fun of the cornier bits and talking about the murders in terms of solving a game rather than a real murder, and without people screaming at fake bodies and the like. I would like a show that just trusted that the central mystery was enough.
But to be fair, some people love this nonsensical reality-show style (I assume, considering how much of it there is), and I'm watching it in spite of it, so the producers seem to have come up with a workable formula to get two types of viewers engaged.
On the other hand, I could do without all the reality show nonsense; the way they make the contestants act as though these are real murders, the reaction shots edited in to create a story other than the one that actually happened.
I wish there were an alternate version of this show, in which it was filmed, not to be typical reality fare, but to show how people really reacted, show them making fun of the cornier bits and talking about the murders in terms of solving a game rather than a real murder, and without people screaming at fake bodies and the like. I would like a show that just trusted that the central mystery was enough.
But to be fair, some people love this nonsensical reality-show style (I assume, considering how much of it there is), and I'm watching it in spite of it, so the producers seem to have come up with a workable formula to get two types of viewers engaged.
Well done!
ibuzzguru1 July 2013
Well I didn't know what to expect but I was happy with the show.
I think the concept is great, a group of people in a murder mystery, with the person that comes up with the story that is least like what actually happened dying in the next episode.
A few things I really like about how it all works.
1. The people get to decide to go to one of three areas, place the victim was before death, place where the person died, and the morgue. AND only 1 of these places, so they must try to either team up, extract info, overhear info etc to learn the rest of the story. This dynamic is perfect for the "real world" type of TV show. 2. Strategy plays a huge role, not to mention skill in observation. 3. The effects and reenactment is incredible! Really this adds a ton to the show.
I had to write this review because I saw another review with 1-star from a totally biased person, that doesn't like this type of show anyway....like someone not liking football and reviewing the Superbowl a 1-star. AND he mentioned not actually eliminating the people? HAHA! Yeah sorry people don't actually die in this show!
I think the concept is great, a group of people in a murder mystery, with the person that comes up with the story that is least like what actually happened dying in the next episode.
A few things I really like about how it all works.
1. The people get to decide to go to one of three areas, place the victim was before death, place where the person died, and the morgue. AND only 1 of these places, so they must try to either team up, extract info, overhear info etc to learn the rest of the story. This dynamic is perfect for the "real world" type of TV show. 2. Strategy plays a huge role, not to mention skill in observation. 3. The effects and reenactment is incredible! Really this adds a ton to the show.
I had to write this review because I saw another review with 1-star from a totally biased person, that doesn't like this type of show anyway....like someone not liking football and reviewing the Superbowl a 1-star. AND he mentioned not actually eliminating the people? HAHA! Yeah sorry people don't actually die in this show!
Excellent show...well done..
michael-yates-88-30863421 March 2014
Some people compare shows to the high and mighty image of their favorite show from the past...you can like this show too...and I did...great first episode...loved the theatrics of the first episode finale,..I also loved the rest of the 9 episode series...and I didn't work out whodunnit but had more than enough info to do so...I recommend...at least watch the first episode and see if you get hooked like me....I hope there is a second series... Excellent production... The butler is fantastic.... The reality contestants are not annoying And well written crime investigation episode... Loved it... Great production... The Butler was fantastic... The reality contestants were not annoying (mostly).. Well written crime investigation scenarios.... I highly recommend...
So Horribly Bad it's Good
ColeBanks24 July 2013
Honestly if you watch this show, DO NOT TAKE IT SERIOUSLY! Because if you do, all you get is mediocrity. Although if you watch it as a comedy, it is one of the funniest shows ever. It has everything, bad acting, a British butler (with a bad British accent) saying bad puns, people act like the "murders" are real. Some of the contestants will even cry about the "murders". This show comedically reaches the same areas as "Birdemic", "The Room", "Troll" 2, "The Happening". I mean when the phone rings and the contact name comes up as "The KIller", how can you not laugh? And the horse episode had so many terrible horse puns it. But I can guarantee you if you watch it as a comedy, you will never stop laughing at how bad this show is. If the show is being watched as a serious reality show about fake murders and trying to solve them, I would give this show 1 out of 10 stars. But if you watch it like you do any of the movies I listed above, then you will love this show. So its rating as a comedy is a 10 out of 10 stars.
Reboot?
gkangchs12 June 2021
I enjoyed this show, mainly because of its unique concept: CSI reality show without having to actually kill the contestants (duh...). I wish it'd had more life (unless that was the original plan to just make it one season long), so if there's any chance for a revival, I'm there!
Waste of time
ablbodyed-224 June 2013
I'm not much of a fan of reality TV. I'll list the shows that make me say I'll never watch another RS and why: 1) Dancing with the Stars, a show I couldn't wait to see for the first four season, but what is now as and egregiously tiresome program. I caught an episode of latest series, stuck till the end, but only by force of will. 2) Master Chef 1st season: I picked the winner within five minutes of showing her, saying that she would win no matter if she did things that eliminated others, or didn't do things that others didn't do, who were eliminated, sometimes in the same episode. 3) a few other cooking competitions that got much too repetitive.
Shows I love: 1)The Amazing Race, always fresh and inventive. 2)SoYouThinkYouCanDance: Those kids are truly talented, and you can't fake dance like you can with mediocrities like American Idol contestants.
Whodunnit? is probably the most artificial, insipid, waste of time I have the misfortune to see in years. What utter drivel. It's too bad that they don't really, truly eliminate the contestants. Are these people real? No wonder this country is in such trouble.
Shows I love: 1)The Amazing Race, always fresh and inventive. 2)SoYouThinkYouCanDance: Those kids are truly talented, and you can't fake dance like you can with mediocrities like American Idol contestants.
Whodunnit? is probably the most artificial, insipid, waste of time I have the misfortune to see in years. What utter drivel. It's too bad that they don't really, truly eliminate the contestants. Are these people real? No wonder this country is in such trouble.
Amogus irl
catnumber30 August 2021
Disappointing
jclawrence784 July 2013
I was very excited to watch this show after having seen the commercials for it. I love Clue (the game and the movie) and could not wait to see how well it translated to television.
I'm not sure I have ever been so let down by a TV show. Not only is the show extremely campy and clearly heavily staged, the faux deaths were beyond absurd. The show has the typical silly "reality" show drama, which I can overlook as I accept that that is just what is considered good TV by those who put these shows on the air.
After watching the first episode, my better half vowed that we had wasted an hour of our lives and that I should cancel the automatic recording, but quite frankly, I forgot. I watched the second episode, hoping things would improve, but I found it all even sillier.
There is a lot of potential there, but this show feels more like a scripted show being marketed as a reality show. I do hope that either someone else makes a better version or that (should this horrible show get renewed) the next season is done better.
I'm not sure I have ever been so let down by a TV show. Not only is the show extremely campy and clearly heavily staged, the faux deaths were beyond absurd. The show has the typical silly "reality" show drama, which I can overlook as I accept that that is just what is considered good TV by those who put these shows on the air.
After watching the first episode, my better half vowed that we had wasted an hour of our lives and that I should cancel the automatic recording, but quite frankly, I forgot. I watched the second episode, hoping things would improve, but I found it all even sillier.
There is a lot of potential there, but this show feels more like a scripted show being marketed as a reality show. I do hope that either someone else makes a better version or that (should this horrible show get renewed) the next season is done better.
Apart from Giles, I found everyone a bit annoying
planktonrules22 August 2023
From IMDB Trivia: "The "state your case" segment of each episode, where the contestants describe in monologue how they believe the murder was committed, exists solely for dramatic effect. It is not the basis for elimination from the game."
"Whodunnit?" is a TV reality show version of the old game "Murder". One of the 13 participants is the 'killer' and each session folks are tasked with determining who the killer is and how they did it. The occurs week after week after week...unlike just playing the game with your friends at a dinner party.
So what did I like about this reality TV series? Well, Giles the butler was a cool character...and was pretty funny as well. Additionally, some of the murders were very silly fun...so the writing was decent.
What didn't I like? Well, being a show on TV, there is lots of unnecessary drama, backbiting and badmouthing. At first, some of this is funny...over time, it becomes a bit tiresome. In fact, it's like you are back in Middle School all over again! As a result, I can see why this one only went one season...as after a couple episodes, it just became a bit tiresome.
"Whodunnit?" is a TV reality show version of the old game "Murder". One of the 13 participants is the 'killer' and each session folks are tasked with determining who the killer is and how they did it. The occurs week after week after week...unlike just playing the game with your friends at a dinner party.
So what did I like about this reality TV series? Well, Giles the butler was a cool character...and was pretty funny as well. Additionally, some of the murders were very silly fun...so the writing was decent.
What didn't I like? Well, being a show on TV, there is lots of unnecessary drama, backbiting and badmouthing. At first, some of this is funny...over time, it becomes a bit tiresome. In fact, it's like you are back in Middle School all over again! As a result, I can see why this one only went one season...as after a couple episodes, it just became a bit tiresome.
Never treat your viewers as a dumb audience
richardmolenschot19 August 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Well, despite of watching the whole season, i wish i hadn't wasted my time on this semi-reality series, as it turns out in the finale the show isn't well plotted.
You might hope for an ingenious plot, but it just isn't there. At the end the killer is just the killer, without ANY motive, storyline or explanation. The murders have got no logical patterns: from a carefully planned murder, which provides the killer with a perfect alibi to a psychopatical double murder where two guests are drained of all there blood and then are placed as smiling dead statues. The butler, who obviously works together with the murderer, appears to have a contract with the murderer, but again there's no explanation WHY.
Never treat your viewers as a dumb audience. Online you'll find forums, video's and more of viewers who really puzzled to unravel the mystery. There where some clever theories out there. But it was all in vain.
Didn't anyone at the production team watch CSI or read an Agatha Christi? Obviously NOT.
I will be shocked if this show isn't canceled. But: if there are really enough viewers for a second season: please hire me as an consultant for the next season. This show can be so much more thrilling, smart and exciting than it is now.
You might hope for an ingenious plot, but it just isn't there. At the end the killer is just the killer, without ANY motive, storyline or explanation. The murders have got no logical patterns: from a carefully planned murder, which provides the killer with a perfect alibi to a psychopatical double murder where two guests are drained of all there blood and then are placed as smiling dead statues. The butler, who obviously works together with the murderer, appears to have a contract with the murderer, but again there's no explanation WHY.
Never treat your viewers as a dumb audience. Online you'll find forums, video's and more of viewers who really puzzled to unravel the mystery. There where some clever theories out there. But it was all in vain.
Didn't anyone at the production team watch CSI or read an Agatha Christi? Obviously NOT.
I will be shocked if this show isn't canceled. But: if there are really enough viewers for a second season: please hire me as an consultant for the next season. This show can be so much more thrilling, smart and exciting than it is now.
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