Squid Game: The Challenge may not be Netflix’s #1 TV show this week due to a nerdy comedy juggernaut
A rivalry for the ages – well, for the week, anyway
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Move over,Squid Game: The Challenge, there’s a new kid on the Netflix block – literally.
Young Sheldon, a prequel spin-off of popular sitcomThe Big Bang Theory, was only added toNetflixlast Friday (November 24), but already it’s giving the streaming giant’sSquid Gamereality series a run for its money.
PerComicbook.com,Young Sheldon, which has been licensed to Netflix byMax, is already sitting at number two on Netflix US' streaming charts. Despite the amount of money Netflix has thrown at its real-life iteration of Hwang Dong-hyuk’s wildly successful show – and the hype it generated ahead ofSquid Game: The Challenge’s arrival – then, one of its TV originals could be usurped by a third-party offering.
For those unfamiliar withYoung Sheldon: it’s set a decade beforeThe Big Bang Theoryand it focuses on Sheldon’s childhood in Texas with his parents. Making its debut in 2017, it’s amassed six seasons of well-received comedy, with a seventh installment planned for early 2024. Reviews have generally been very positive, with critics praising the show’s warm heart as well as its comic chops.
If it comes to it, Netflix likely won’t take too kindly toYoung SheldondefeatingSquid Game: The Challenge. Sure, the world’sbest streaming servicemight not ultimately care as, ifYoung Sheldondoes win this week’s TV crown, it’ll have drawn in plenty of viewers for the streaming giant. Still, we suspect it’ll be secretly disappointed if itsSquid Gamespin-off doesn’t sit top of the tree when the latest Netflix Top 10 lists are revealed on Wednesday, November 29. In the meantime, read our guide on everything we know aboutSquid Gameseason 2.
Who’s winning and losing in Netflix’s TV charts?
Currently,Squid Game: The Challengesits atop the Netflix charts, with the reality show having a ready-made audience due to the original series' unprecedented popularity. Interestingly, it’s deposed Matt Rife’s comedy special, which is down from number one last week and falling fast amid widespread revulsion at his use of domestic violence as a punchline and his subsequent reaction to criticism.
Nearly Normal Familyis in at number three, withThe Crownseason 6in at number four,First Wives Clubnumber five and the aforementioned Rife one place lower. Demonic romanceMy Demonis in at seven, while Mike Birbiglia’s one man showThe Old Man and The Poollounges about at number eight. That leaves the beautiful wartime epicAll The Light We Cannot Seeat number nine, and the alarming docuseriesEscaping Twin Flamesin at number 10.
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It’ll be interesting to see ifYoung Sheldonretains its high ranking next week. Right now, five of its six seasons are available on Netflix, so it’s likely fans will continue bingeing the series over the coming weeks. With a number of new Netflix movies and shows set to launch in time for the festive season, tough, it’s possibleYoung Sheldonwill start to fall when that pent-up demand has been satisfied.
That said, it might stay the distance for a while longer. Indeed, nobody expectedSuits– another show that jumped from Max to Netflix this year –to become a huge Netflix hit,break many of the streamer’s TV recordsin the process, and join ourbest Netflix showsguide as a result. WillYoung Sheldonfollow suit? Who knows, but we’re eager to see if it does.
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Writer, broadcaster, musician and kitchen gadget obsessive Carrie Marshall has been writing about tech since 1998, contributing sage advice and odd opinions to all kinds of magazines and websites as well as writing more than a dozen books. Her memoir,Carrie Kills A Man, is on sale now and her next book, about pop music, is out in 2025. She is the singer in Glaswegian rock bandUnquiet Mind.
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