Love Island has become nothing short of a cultural phenomenon in the UK since it arrived on screens in 2015, introducing a whole new set of colloquialisms and making a new type of Instagram celebrity out of its perma-tanned contestants.
Its success has been one that has bucked a trend in the British TV landscape, as while viewers continue to ditch long-running reality shows like Big Brother (RIP) and The X Factor, Love Island has flourished, growing its audience year-on-year.
As a result, it has spawned many international versions, with broadcasters across the globe hoping for a similiar slice of success.
However, its launch in the US hasn’t quite yet made the waves producers had been hoping for.
Since debuting in early July, it has garnered poor ratings and less than glowing reviews. Many have attributed this to the fact it airs on major network CBS (in the UK, it airs on the main commercial broadcaster’s digital-only channel, ITV2), meaning it is subject to much tighter regulations set by the Federal Communications Commission, banning swearing and sexual chat and putting a limit on the amount of flesh on show.
But what do two seasoned reality TV fans make of each other’s versions?
We enlisted two members of the HuffPost Entertainment team on either side of the pond to cast their expert eyes over the two shows.
Flying the flag for the UK is Ash Percival, who watched the first episode of the American show to see if he would be drawn in for the rest of the series.
And to give a flavour of what might lie ahead for the US version, Cole Delbyck sat down for a particularly dramatic episode from the most recent UK series, which saw a recoupling take place after a second villa was introduced and a whole new set of Islanders thrown in.
Allow them to introduce themselves...
Cole Delbyck: “I consider myself fairly well-versed in reality TV and regularly avoid social gatherings so I can go home and watch The Real Housewives Of [inset literally any city here], but I must admit I’m a bit out of my depth with British programming. Aside from a Made In Chelsea binge-watch a couple years back, Gemma Collins memes and some deep Googling to find out who someone named Eyal was, I’m woefully ignorant to the tastes of the British public – but deep down, I know that you guys probably do it better.
“So with that being said, I’m ready and willing for Love Island to take over my life and spend *checks notes* roughly 60 hours watching strangers with more abs than I’ll ever have make mistakes on TV.”
Ash Percival: “Much like Cole, there’s not many British reality shows I’ve not seen. Celebrity Big Brother? Never missed an episode. Strictly? I’ve watched so much, I’m practically a professional dancer. However, with the exception of the few US stars who’ve (often unexpectedly) crossed the threshold of the CBB house, I’m not exactly au fait with US reality TV.
“However, as someone who has inhaled the UK show like it was some sort of last meal, I’m pretty ravenous to tuck into Love Island USA.”
“Casa Amor is like an AirBnB that has a cockroach infestation and sheets rougher than sandpaper”
Ash: “Oh wow, the villa is absolutely palatial, and quite frankly shits all over ours. Not only is it about twice the size and more sophisticatedly decorated, it is also right on a Fijian beach.
“It’s always been a massive gripe of mine that the show is called Love Island, but we never get to see the sea unless the contestants go on a date to the beach, so the seafront location is really adding something for me.”
Cole: “OK, yes, the villa may not be situated near an actual body of water, but typically US reality shows only have one house, so points for the Brits here, as before we head over to the main villa, however, there are shots of the something I quickly learn is called Casa Amor.
“It’s quite clearly the lesser of the two and it sort of reminds me of this Air BnB I once booked that looked Instagram-ready online, but when I got there had severe water damage, a small infestation of cockroaches and sheets rougher than a sandpaper massage. I lasted under 24 hours, but it appears that these contestants are faring better, chilling poolside and fretting over what happens when the houses – dun dun dun – combine into one.
“As for the main house, I’m very into these random words like ‘Lick’ and ‘Pressure’ that decorate the walls, just in case anyone forgets what they’re here for.”
Ash: “I’ve just realised why this villa looks so familiar – it’s got a very similar vibe to that of the one that was used for the celebrity incarnation of Love Island back in the noughties, which coincidentally, was also shot in Fiji rather than Mallorca.
“Also, you can certainly tell some serious MONEY has been spent securing this property, but they could definitely do with a few more festoon lights in the garden, though.”
Cole: “Well, the electricity bills for the UK’s carnivalesque festival lighting must be insane… and it’s worthy of every last penny.”
Ash: “Oh, but now it’s raining. Like, properly chucking it down. Guess locating the show in a tropical climate wasn’t without its risks, but full-on downpours aren’t exactly ideal for an opening episode – especially as I don’t think I’ve ever seen it rain in Spain.”
“These contestants seem to genuinely want to have fun and make good TV, which seems ever so elusive these days”
Cole: “Records show that I am a complete sucker for an accent, so naturally I’m very attracted to literally everyone that’s popping across my screen. Thankfully, it’s only minutes into the episode and there’s already a homoerotic male grooming scene, so I AM IN.
“I’m heartened to see that the American reality TV trope of two straight guys gaybaiting viewers also holds true across the pond. And, naturally, it’s working as the couple I’m rooting for isn’t actually a couple, but instead Curtis and Tommy who’ve developed a deep bromance and are obviously a better fit for each other than any of the female contestants.”
Ash: “If you just look at a picture of the line-up, this bunch are pretty much cookie-cutter contestants who look straight off the conveyor belt from the Love Island factory. While there’s nearly as much of a problem with body diversity as on our version, Zac has a hint of a chest rug – something I don’t think we’ve seen in five years of Love Island UK.
“I’ve got to say, though, they seem immediately more likeable from their VTs, which are often where contestants make a series of claims that later come back to haunt them. This has probably got something to do with the fact this lot have no idea of what lies ahead of them, so you get a feeling they are genuinely going onto the show to look for love, rather than a blue tick and some teeth whitening endorsement deals. Although, I’m sure they will be taking full advantage of those later down the line.
“However, there’s not really anyone for me here that seems to have a much-needed edge to bring either the drama or the LOLs. Maybe this will come later with some of the bombshell arrivals.”
Cole: “This show is reminding me a lot of Bachelor in Paradise, the spin-off of the long-running and wildly popular The Bachelor, which is basically it’s younger cousin that gets way too drunk on tequila shots and is here for a good time, not a long time. Similarly, all of these Love Island-ers seem to genuinely want to have fun and make good TV, which seems ever so elusive these days.
“Right off the bat, I’m loving how Jourdan is standing her ground and straight up rejecting Curtis. A queen with a flawless beat. We STAN. We then meet someone named Amy, who I think is far too pure for this show because she’s opening up about how she’s never been in love before. Run, Amy, run! Save yourself!
“Maura’s accent is so soothing to my ears that I want her to be the outgoing voicemail message on my phone. And as much as I am rooting for Curtis/Tommy, I did tear up watching the latter reunite with Molly-Mae (yes, I may or may not have had a glass(es) of wine before turning this on).”
Ash: “Wow, Cashel and Caro have got very intense very quickly. Seriously, they’re all over each other already, so obviously we all know this is going to end in tears. Especially after the arrival of Kyra, who looks like she’s not here to play the waiting game. I already heart her.”
“She’s got Caroline Flack’s walk down to a T”
Ash: “Love Island US is hosted by social media star Arielle Vandenberg, and I have to admit, I knew absolutely nothing about her before she got the gig earlier this year. However, it’s like she has been studying Caroline Flack forensically.
“She’s fun, flirty and giggly and the perfect fit for Love Island – and she even has the slo-mo walk down to an absolute T on her first attempt.
“Flackers is shook.”
Cole: “I don’t meet host Caroline until the end of the episode at the recoupling, and besides that runway-worthy stomp into the villa she seems, um… serviceable?”
“Besides the homoeroticism, the biggest draw is the narrator”
Ash: “While I’m already Googling Arielle to see what else she’s been on, I’m a lot less keen on the narrator, Matthew Hoffman. Admittedly, I am such an Iain Stirling fan now that no-one could compare, but I don’t think I’ve laughed once at anything he’s had to say.
“That said, I watched the first episode of the first UK series again recently and Iain is a long way off what he is now, so maybe Matthew just needs some time to find his funny bone.”
Cole: “Besides the rampant homoeroticism, the biggest draw for me here is the narrator, who consistently drops Briticisms that I absolutely will be stealing.
“The kiss of death for any reality show is when it takes itself too seriously and it’s nice to see that Love Island isn’t afraid to poke fun at the contestants, which breeds a certain connection with the viewers at home who are likely doing the same exact thing. It’s actually a refreshing change from US reality shows that are so committed to scripting a fairytale, instead of just having fun with the format.”
“I feel stupid for doubting that any version of Love Island would not deliver on drama”
Cole: “Separating the couples geographically in another house is actually a pretty ingenious play because it’s typically an out of sight out of mind approach on these shows. Giving the separated contestants and out by introducing a fresh new crop of contestants to lure them away from their original partner is straight up diabolical.
“It certainly provides for ample amount of drama when the couples are reunited and some come to grips that distance did not make the heart grow fonder.”
Ash: “OK, scrub what I said about the lack of drama. It looks like it’s all going to kick off in the next episode, after Kyra decides who she’s going to steal. She’s blatantly going to pinch Cashel from Caro and I feel stupid for doubting that any version of Love Island would not deliver on #dramz. I also should have known they’d end it on a cliffhanger, so I’m about to hit play on episode two immediately to find out if I’m right.”
Cole: “Question – are they provided alcohol because all of these conversations seem remarkably sober. On that note… another glass of wine. Cheers!”