Why we Love bold Island show
THE North East loves Love Island.
Once again, there’s a Geordie in the famous villa and fans across the region last night welcomed the return of the popular reality show.
Benwell personal trainer Adam Collard joined other twenty-somethings in Majorca to compete for the love of his life and a hefty cash prize.
But what is it that makes us so keen to watch a group of young, attractive, single people finding love in an exotic beach paradise?
If you really need a more detailed answer to that question, gender expert and professor of language and culture at the University of Sunderland, Angela Smith, has given us her thoughts.
WE LOVE THE FORMAT
The familiar style of show with a modern twist makes it appealing.
Prof Smith said: “Firstly, there are a lot of dating and relationship shows on TV at present.
“These took over from make-over programmes which were the defining genre of the first decade of this century – many of these personal and fashion makeover shows morphed into relationship shows towards the end anyway.
“Love Island falls into this category, but is a cross between dating shows and another TV genre, the public-involvement game show, best known through Big Brother.”
AND WE ALSO LOVE ATTRACTIVE YOUNG PEOPLE – JUST LIKE US, BUT PRETTIER
Professor Smith argues Love Island “tries very hard to be different” and focuses on younger, conventionally attractive participants.
Their age makes them “relatable” for the target demographic, while their ‘beach bodies’ “make the show engaging to watch”.
And Prof Smith added the steamy content creates online buzz, and can increase social media interest in the show.
She added: “Love Island is post-watershed viewing, and the beachbody participants are set up for ‘sexual action’ by the context.
“The Big Brotherlike camera system means that this can be captured for broadcast, and so makes what used to be called a ‘water- cooler moment’ that generates social media comment and wider media attention.”
THE THRILL OF A LIVE BROADCAST
“Live TV is like a game of Russian roulette,” Prof Smith said. “You never quite know when something is going to happen or someone is going to say something unexpected. “I think there is a time lag on such shows, between one minute and 15 minutes, just to make sure nothing too libellous is uttered, but most of what is broadcast is ‘true’. “This means conflict and inharmonious relationships can be exploited for broadcast. But it is also very relevant in the context of Web 2.0, as social media is exploited ruthlessly by the producers to engage viewers.”
BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE’RE ALL BIG ROMANTICS AT HEART
We’re not just in it for the eye candy though. Prof Smith believes the format of the show means it has “romance at the heart of it”, and that’s what viewers really love.
She said: “It is all about relationships and the long duration of the programme means we can get attached to participants as ‘characters’ and want them to pair up.
“This goes back to the dating show format which underpins the programme. As viewers, we want a happy ending for them. We want them to find love.”
Love Island began on ITV2 last night.