You would possibly recognise him because the “uncle” on the rip-off prevention posters round city.
However now that Netflix’s actuality collection Squid Sport: The Problem has began streaming, it’s official – Mr Danny Yeo is Singapore’s “Squid Sport uncle”.
The 74-year-old retiree is the one Singaporean on the 10-episode present that premiered its first half on Nov 22. The remaining episodes of the truth present based mostly on the award-winning hit Okay-drama Squid Sport (2021) will premiere on Nov 29 and Dec 6.
Produced by British manufacturing firms Studio Lambert and The Backyard, it options 456 contestants who play video games within the hope of being the final individual standing to take dwelling a money prize of US$4.56 million (S$6.14 million).
Mr Yeo, who does freelance performing, tells The Straits Occasions: “I noticed the casting calls in a type of Fb teams the place actors go to search for jobs round June 2022. It mentioned Squid Sport: The Problem however it had no standards, no age or race or gender specs, so I assumed I’d simply attempt.”
He despatched in a one-minute video of himself, however given the worldwide scale of the manufacturing and a money prize Netflix says is the biggest in actuality tv historical past, he had no expectations of getting a callback.
When he acquired a telephone name from an unknown quantity beginning with +44 – the UK’s nation code – he rejected it like every good rip-off prevention poster boy would. It was solely when he acquired a textual content message from the manufacturing home that he picked up the decision.
Regardless of figuring out he was probably going to be one of many oldest gamers, Mr Yeo – who started watching Squid Sport solely after he utilized for the present – had no qualms vying for a spot.
After rounds of interviews on the telephone and calls over video, a well being check-up in Singapore and a psychiatric analysis performed nearly, he was confirmed as a participant in December 2022, beating some 81,000 candidates.
Mr Danny Yeo in a rip-off prevention poster
Credit score: NATIONAL CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL
He was flown to London to movie the present in January, turning into participant No. 164.
He was underneath strict confidentiality clauses – he was not even supposed to inform his spouse and three youngsters why he was going to London alone. He even had his cell phone confiscated for greater than per week whereas he took half within the manufacturing to stop photo-taking.
Sadly, Mr Yeo’s Squid Sport: The Problem journey was temporary. There was a blink-and-miss-it sighting of him within the background, however he was among the many 259 contestants eradicated within the first recreation of Purple Gentle, Inexperienced Gentle, which sparked real-life controversy.
The sport, performed in an airplane hangar, requires contestants to run in direction of a end line the place an enormous robotic doll stands, however they should cease and freeze each time the doll stops singing and turns her head round. Any movement detected will result in elimination.
In January and February, gamers have been anonymously quoted in British tabloid The Solar and American publications Rolling Stone and Selection complaining concerning the “inhumane” circumstances and remedy of gamers.
They alleged that the sport dragged on for 9 hours in freezing temperatures to the detriment of their well being. Some additionally alleged that it was rigged, unfairly favouring gamers who have been influencers.
In a joint media assertion, Netflix, Studio Lambert and The Backyard had mentioned: “Any suggestion that the competitors is rigged or claims of significant hurt to gamers are merely unfaithful.”
Squid Sport: The Problem options 456 contestants vying for a US$4.56 million (S$6.14 million) money prize
Credit score: Netflix
Though he doesn’t know if the sport was rigged, Mr Yeo remembers: “The circumstances have been undoubtedly unfavourable, particularly for the aged.
“The sport was presupposed to final only some hours after lunch, however it dragged on till round 10pm.
“At first, we have been requested to carry our poses for less than 5 or 10 minutes, which is already difficult sufficient as a result of it was round 0 deg C. However as the sport went on, we have been requested to carry our poses for 20 or half-hour, which is clearly a giant drawback for the aged. I by no means reached the end line. I used to be eradicated across the fourth pink mild.”
Mr Danny Yeo was flown to London to movie the present in January, turning into participant No. 164.
Credit score: SHINTARO TAY
He suspects the sport was made harder because the variety of contestants wanted to be whittled down quick.
“I feel the producers in all probability had a plan to remove half the contestants from Purple Gentle, Inexperienced Gentle, however the gamers turned out to be too resilient and weren’t so simply ousted, so that they wanted to ramp up the issue.”
Squid Sport: The Problem’s first recreation – Purple Gentle, Inexperienced Gentle – options 456 contestants working in direction of a end line the place an enormous robotic doll stands.
Credit score: Netflix
Whereas Mr Yeo needs he might have stayed within the working a bit longer, he nonetheless completely loved himself.
“Some contestants are nonetheless actually sore about dropping, however I’m simply proud that I used to be chosen out of so many candidates. I clearly by no means anticipated to win. I’m simply joyful I lived to inform a narrative.”
Squid Sport: The Problem is now on Netflix
This text was first revealed in The Straits Occasions.
Supply: Her World