Michaelle Buteau hosted The Circle in the U.S. for seven seasons, and with Hulu rebooting the reality competition, many viewers wondered if she would return as the host.
While appearing on Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live, the comedian revealed that she would not be hosting the new iteration of the series.
“I’m glad that The Circle found a new home because it’s a great show,” Buteau said on the late-night talk show hosted by Andy Cohen. “I hosted the U.S. version, the longest-running version (seven seasons), and I put my foot in it, my back, my back fat, my right titty, I put all the stuff in it.”
She continued, “But they’re not going to go through with me being the host, so I say, good luck, bless up, I hope you have fun putting a square in a circle.”
The Circle, produced by Studio Lambert and Motion Content Group, premiered on Netflix in 2020, with Buteau as host. The competition featured contestants who lived in isolated, separate apartments and communicated with each other through a platform called “The Circle.” Contestants could portray themselves as whomever they wanted, and the object of the game was to be the last remaining to win a cash prize.
Earlier this month, Deadline reported that Hulu had ordered a new version of the format after Netflix passed on renewing it following seven seasons, with the last one premiering in 2024. The new version is reportedly being filmed in real time, with viewers having input in the game throughout the season.
Netflix also produced the show in France and Brazil, with each lasting only one season. In the UK, Channel 4 produced three seasons, with the first one airing in 2018, with Love Island UK’s Maya Jama as host. The show returned in 2019 with Emma Willis as host for the next two seasons. A celebrity version of the format was produced as a special in 2021.
