‘The Anonymous’ Exclusive Clip: DANI Shocks The Players With A New Twist

After a three-episode premiere event, reality TV fans are officially obsessed with USA Network’s The Anonymous. The brand-new entry in the competition genre combines aspects of iconic shows like Big Brother, The Traitors, and The Circle to create a television hybrid that’s impossible to resist. Over the course of 12 days, the contestants must play in two modes: face-to-face in the outside world and behind an avatar in an “anonymous mode” which occurs in an underground hideout. The players must work together to build a prize pot up of to $100,000 dollars through challenges, and they must also scheme and manipulate to eliminate their opponents from behind a computer screen.

And who oversees the proceedings you might be wondering? That would be DANI—a Digital Anonymous Networking Interface. While you might think of AI as emotionless, DANI has quite the penchant for mischief and chaos. In this exclusive clip from next Monday’s episode, DANI introduces a surprising new wrinkle to the players.

After another tough elimination, the group returns to the Square House to relax and debrief. “Players, congratulations on surviving another elimination,” DANI tells the contestants as they sit around the fire. “If tonight didn’t go as you’d hoped, then don’t worry. Tomorrow is a fresh start.” Looking dejected, the contestants continue to listen. “And speaking of fresh starts….” DANI says ominously, “Handle refresh activated!”

All the players turn to each other in shock. What could this possibly mean? “We’re getting new handles,” theorizes Dillian Frelow. DANI continues: “I can activate a handle refresh at any time, but why wait until tomorrow?” Even though they are tired, the contestants are suddenly reenergized. As DANI instructs the players to return to the hideouts, Robbi can’t help but smile. “The Handle refresh is coming at just the right time,” she tells the camera in her confessional. “I know that I couldn’t continue playing as dice.”

Elsewhere, Xavier is not as pleased with the game’s latest development. “I didn’t ask for new handles,” he says in his confessional. “I really enjoyed being fish.” So, will Xavier and the others sink or swim? Tune in to USA on Monday, August 26th, at 11/10c to find out!