Summer 2019, yet again, I found myself binge-watching “Love Island” in my off time from my never-ending high school job at Panera Bread. I need to preface this entire post with the fact that I have never watched a reality television show regularly. I haven’t seen a single episode of “The Bachelor,” “The Bachelorette,” or any of the thousand spinoffs. At this point, I think it’s more of an ego thing. I’ve come this far without caving in to the cult following, but “Love Island” is different.
I came across the show last summer from a podcast that I’ve been listening to for a while. When the summer started, they were regularly talking about the current season (at the time it was season 4). I think I honestly just felt out of the loop for a good portion of the discussion. As someone who struggles with severe FOMO, it was no question of what would happen next. I succumbed and started the “Love Island” series from the very beginning.
Image from Radio Times
Basically, a group of hot Brits spend two months secluded in a villa in Spain. The sole purpose is to crack on with other hot Brits. Last summer, I watched seasons 1, 2, and 4. I finished up the lineup with 3 and 5 this year and have yet to be disappointed. Then, viewers were blessed with the first season of “Love Island” USA.
I’m going to be honest, I could really only get myself to watch the first couple of episodes. Maybe I’ll try again if I find myself with an abundance of free time, but I think the initial turnoff for me is that I can relate to the participants. Watching the UK “Love Island,” as an American is fun because:
1. Who doesn’t love a British, Scottish, or Irish accent
2. U.K slang is fun to learn (hello, bevs)
3. All the cringey aspects of “Love Island USA” are non-existent in the OG version.
Without releasing any of the spoilers, if you have way too much free time or are looking to binge-watch something (close to) mindless, watch “Love Island.” Literally, any of the 40+ episode-seasons of “Love Island” are great. It takes a minute every season to warm up to the new contestants, but you always end up with a soft spot for every one of them. I still miss my girl, Camilla, from season 3.
Friends, I sign off with my favorite “Love Island” phrase: “A bit of me.” I use it daily and it absolutely needs to catch on in America, or at least University Heights.
Phrase- “A bit of me”
Definition- Someone who is your type.
Example- That guy over there is a bit of me.