Gilded Age Celebrity Mysteries Critiqued

The Gilded Age’s Shifting Tone and the Curious Arrival of Celebrity Puzzling

HBO’s period drama, The Gilded Age, has always been a spectacle of opulent costumes, grand estates, and sparkling intrigue. Yet as it enters its latest season, critics seem divided—some revel in its newfound playfulness, while others lament its penchant for spectacle over substance. Alongside this soapy melodrama, British television is seeing fresh energy with Celebrity Puzzling, a new game show testing celebrities’ wordplay and logic onscreen.

The Gilded Age: From Pompous to Playful

The third season of The Gilded Age marks a distinct evolution from its earlier iterations. While previous seasons left audiences wondering whether creator Julian Fellowes was a slave to historical grandeur or just indulging in his own creative whims, this latest batch of episodes seems decisively more playful and self-aware. Rebecca Nicholson, writing for The Guardian, finds the show “not just grand, but silly too,” noting that it’s now “joyfully pompous,” with lavish parties and the kind of frothy drama fans craved but rarely received before. You can read her full take on The Guardian’s TV section.

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Not all voices are impressed by this change in tone. Ben Dowell at The Times argues that The Gilded Age has grown “enervating,” criticizing its obsession with upper-class rituals—glamorous gowns, drawn-out teas, endless dinners—at the expense of the show’s once-engaging upstairs/downstairs dynamic. He points out that Downton Abbey, Fellowes’ earlier period success, struck a better balance, devoting time to the lives of servants and the gentry alike.

Meanwhile, Michael Hogan at The Telegraph splits the difference, calling this season “the best yet, fairly fizzing with gossip and intrigue.” While he concedes the series takes time to build momentum, he praises its gasp-worthy cliffhangers and narrative twists, which are drawing new viewers into its lavish world. These contrasting perspectives reflect the show’s polarizing ambition—opulent excess and modern melodrama in equal measure.

Celebrity Puzzling: A New Gamified Diversion

As The Gilded Age draws a mixed critical response for its dramatic flourishes, British television is delivering lighter fare in the form of Celebrity Puzzling, which premiered June 23 on Channel 5. Hosted by Jeremy Vine—with star team captains Carol Vorderman and Sally Lindsay—this eight-part quiz show puts celebrities’ wits to the test with an array of word and letter puzzles each episode.

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What sets Celebrity Puzzling apart is its blend of high-energy gameplay and star-powered banter. Each episode pairs Sally Lindsay and Carol Vorderman with famous guests, confronting them with challenges ranging from quick-fire word games to complex memory tests. The climactic “Memory Bank” round channels classic parlour games, demanding rapid recall and teamwork.

Viewers are already drawing parallels with established hits like House of Games, wondering if this new format will reach similar popularity. As Gerard Gilbert of The i puts it, “A quiz show like Celebrity Puzzling will happily bridge the gap between their daytime fodder and all those divertingly trashy thrillers and documentaries”—suggesting an appeal to fans who want friendly rivalry and smart fun between heavier dramas. More on the hosts and episode breakdowns can be found at What To Watch.

Critics React—and Audiences Decide

Both The Gilded Age and Celebrity Puzzling highlight shifting tastes in television—whether for period drama tinged with soap-opera energy or quiz shows blending celebrity wit and genuine competition. While critics may spar over Fellowes’ creative choices or the new quiz’s staying power, audiences are tuning in to see if these programs will transcend their genres or simply embrace them, unapologetically.

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Catch up on The Gilded Age’s latest season—fizzing with both scandal and spectacle—on HBO or check the Guardian’s review for detailed analysis. Want something lighter? Tune into Celebrity Puzzling on Channel 5 and see which team captain triumphs in the world of celeb wordplay and logic, with guest breakdowns and episode guides available from What To Watch, as well as tune-in tips from Radio Times.

The only certainty: whether you prefer your entertainment joyfully pompous or cheerfully puzzling, television in 2025 offers a little something for everyone.

William Quick
William Quick

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