Over on BBC3 on Wednesday night, Zara McDermott surveyed the scene at her new dating show and declared: “It’s like watching a romantic film.”
Really, Zara? And what would that romantic film be called? Love Island Actually?
Not that I’m saying Love In The Flesh was just a cynical attempt by the BBC’s reborn yoof channel to recapture some of the younger audience by making a cheap Greek-based version of ITV2’s controversial ratings monster.
However, it did boast a glamorous blonde hostess (who happens to be an ex-Love Island inmate) and a group of glamorous singletons in a glamorous villa on a glamorous sunshine island.
To be fair, you could argue that the format was slightly different in that the contestants had already coupled up by virtue of having previously “connected” with each other online. Whatever that means.
That twist even offered the initial promise of jeopardy.
As they met each other in the flesh for the first time would they run into each other’s arms and swear undying love or would they be about as welcome as Boris Johnson at a NATO leaders’ summit?
(Spoiler alert. The contestants were clearly far too TV-savvy to risk either scenario).
The pre-coupling aspect also allowed the BBC to include a gay pairing – one in the eye for those Love Island producers who for years have been making all the right noises about inclusivity while taking none of the right actions.
Not that BBC3 had anything to be smug about. You can be as inclusive and forward thinking as you like but if your format is as flimsy as this one is you’ll still end up having to do what every other tired old reality show does:
Crack open the booze and throw in some newcomers to spice things up a bit.
NB. BREAKING NEWS: The booze had arrived by the end of the first episode. The newcomers have been booked for episode three.
