Temptation Island managed to make a reality TV reboot that worked

Vulture

USA reviving the notorious early 2000s Fox reality show seemed like a baffling decision when it premiered. But last night, Temptation Island concluded a surprising and successful season, says Andy Dehnart. "The poster child for early-2000s trashy Fox reality television was reborn as a show that seemed to be helpful, and even a little thoughtful, although it avoided wrestling with the issues it uncovered," says Dehnart." He adds: "While the Temptation Island reboot offered plenty of opportunities for voyeurism, and was marketed with images of dripping, hot bodies, it also resisted many of the urges that have consumed The Bachelor franchise and turned other dating shows into boiling hot messes." Asked about the decision to avoid contrivance, host Mark L. Walberg responded that finding a life partner is “the most elusive journey any of us will ever go on. That drives this. We don’t have to add any contrivance.”