Written By Lovey McPherson
What is there to say about a show that is a mix between ABC’s The Bachelor, MTV’s The Real World, and CBS’s Amazing Race, with a splash of the American Idol voting style tossed in for good measure? Apparently, there’s a whole heap of a lot to say about the latest thirst trap reality TV series on CBS that is actually gaining momentum here in the United States.
Love Island USA is a show where a group of contestants (or islanders as they’re frequently referred) are chosen to live in a house where, under a watchful eye (aka closed circuit television), each member of the opposite sex are coupled with one another as they are all searching for true love, friendship, or just a plain old opportunity to make out–all while aiming to win $100,00. America gets the last say as they vote for their favorite couples until only one couple is left standing.
For Love Island USA Season 2, the couples are nestled inside of the Cromwell, a hotel just off of the strip in Las Vegas. The rooftops are tricked out for romantic interludes, the bathrooms are nicely decorated, and the bedroom (yes that is singular) is huge, but the beds are all aligned side-by-side like its sleep away camp.–but here’s the gag… this is commencing in the present day! During the Coronavirus pandemic! With the shelter-in-place mandates spanning across the country for the last five-months, it’s safe to assume that these 20-something year old hormones are and will be raging out of control.
As Episode 1 begins, we’re introduced to the bikini clad women; the spicy Latina Celey (24), boycrazy Moira (28), Go Go dancer and token black girl Justine (27), country living Kaitlynn (27), and the millionaire dating student Mackenzie (24). As the women are getting acquainted with one another, the host of the series Arielle Vanderberg (Greek) shows up to introduce the bare-chested men that the girls are to be coupled with. Connor (23), baby face Carrington (22), ex-football player and flirt Tre (25), southern charmer Jeremiah, and personal trainer James (27).
In order for the folks to become one–The women lead the “Couple Up” ceremony by selecting the guy they’d like to be in a relationship with by stepping forward when prompted. This is cool if you’re a hot guy, but if you’re a corny guy like Jeremiah, you’re left standing against the fence as though it’s a game of dodgeball, and that last player is forced to play on the team no one wanted him on. What’s worse, if one of the women did not select a guy, she’s then asked, “Why did you pass on him?” Ummmmm awkward much?
To make matters worse, if a guy who hasn’t bee chosen yet, is interested in a woman who has selected someone else, he can then steal her away from said guy and take her as his own. I like to call this Tarzan playing everyone’s favorite Christmas game–The White Elephant Game. Now, remember this is reality TV, so of course there’s a monkey wrench thrown into the mix for dramatic flair. Once all of the guys and dolls have been “coupled” there’s a plot twist that leaves everyone shaking in their boots. Apparently, the number of contestants will increase/decrease as new players are introduced throughout the season.
Typically, I am a reality TV junkie, but what leaves me scratching my head with Love Island is how is this show about finding true love when the tone is set with superficial undertones? The contestants meet barely clothed; they are making their selections based on appearance; and it’s during a pandemic! I mean really… is it that serious? I guess so when unemployment rates are high, and there’s $100,00 on the line. With all of the saliva swapping between folks who have just met only days ago… excuse me while I go take a hot shower and make a phone call to the CDC for contact tracing in Nevada
Love Island USA Season 2 is now streaming on CBS All Access.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs7f6Sb0hpo
