I Binged 5 Reality Dating Shows on Netflix—3 Were Great, 2 Were Total Hate-Watches

This Korean dating show was my first introduction back to reality TV and it was a breath of fresh air. Like many reality dating shows, it takes a bunch of hot singles and drops them in the middle of a remote island to build connections. It reminds me of Love Island minus the heavy kissing and raunchy behavior. They participate in fun challenges to score dates or a trip to Paradise (which is just a fancy schmancy hotel away from the island). I appreciate that they spend time getting to know each other, even having to wait until they’re off the island to learn about each other’s profession and age. The show also stands apart from other reality shows because instead of one standard host, they have four commentators who are essentially viewers just like us. It’s fun to see their reactions that mirror our own. 

The complete opposite of Single’s Inferno has to be this bonkers show, which has one person giving an ultimatum to their partner. Whether they’ve been dating for a year or ten, this show is supposed to put on the pressure—except they spend a few weeks apart in ‘new relationships’ to see if it’s really only marriage that they can’t agree on. I still don’t understand the logic of this show because let’s just say a few of them would rather be with their ‘new partner’ than the person they actually came on the show with. I was left wondering why you need a public Netflix dating show to tell you your partner is utter garbage, but hey, it’s your prerogative. But the reason this was a hit for me instead of a miss? It was entertaining to watch and I'm glad it was a true eye-opener for most of the couples. Most ultimately did make the right decision in the end.

This reality dating show needs to be analyzed because you’re willing to risk money for a smooch (or two)?! Too Hot Too Handle is originally a British dating show, but like many on Netflix, has expanded to other countries. I watched the Latino version and it's another show that makes you question who comes up with these ideas (but they're a genius obviously since I can't stop watching.) The premise places a group of ten singles on an island, where they think it’s just one big party filled with music, drinks and sex. But what they aren’t aware of before joining the show is every time they do anything like kissing or hooking up, their money pool starts to dwindle. Once they find out, you would think it’s simple to just resist temptation—not at all. I was two episodes in and they didn’t care at all about breaking the rules. Their host, a virtual assistant that has their eyes everywhere, doesn’t make it any better. The contestants are put into challenges that make it harder (no pun intended) to abide by the guidelines. Did I mention they start with $100,000? Safe to say the goal is to make genuine connections and self-growth, but it goes to show money can’t buy happiness in this case. 

I thought the OG show prepared me for its spin-off The Ultimatium: Queer Love, but it’s even more chaotic. It follows the same exact premise of someone giving their partner an ultimatum, but these couples tend to suffer from memory loss. Once they’re in their ‘new relationship’ it feels like they forgot it’s only temporary. I will always remember someone telling their ‘new partner’ after a week: “I wish I knew you in every phase of your life.” There were plenty of times I was shouting at my TV because how can you throw away two, even ten years together after THREE weeks with someone else?! Also, there is definitely more drama compared to the original show and more layers to unpack as some are hesitant to get married due their family not accepting their sexuality, etc. Sadly, the chaos of this show had me hate-watching the entire season.

This reality show had me pacing my living room, and at one point, needing to turn my TV off. If you’re familiar with the viral Montoya scene, then you might have heard of Temptation Island. The show follows four couples that have major trust issues with each other. They are separated into two different houses, where they are left with a bunch of ‘temptations’—aka a whole set of men and women that are made to test their limits. It’s no problem because their love is strong, right? Wrong. The first episode had people falling into the trap almost immediately. And to make matters worse, the couples get a front row seat to their partner’s actions as they watch clips of their partner showing their true colors. It’s honestly heart-wrenching. I had to remind myself that these are not characters, but they are indeed terrible, terrible people (mostly the men on the show, FYI). It honestly makes The Ultimatum cast look like saints. If you’re in the mood for hate watching, go forth. 

The lesson I learned after watching way too many reality shows? If you're going on one of these shows, your relationship is doomed. No ifs or buts. Also, I’m going to need a couple therapists to be incorporated into these shows because the gaslighting (I’m looking at you Temptation Island) is bananas. But will it stop me from watching? Absolutely not. Here’s to the next headache-inducing one.

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