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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Love Island AIBU?

58 replies

Polkadots2021 · 23/06/2021 07:17

Just read a couple of 'highlights' from Love Island contestants for this year. One said the kind of man she's after is the kind who would 'rip her a new a##hole' and another said she had sex 8 times a day and had sex in a toilet the day before.

God only knows the effect this kind of stuff has on young teens of both genders who watch it. So much for Love Island caring less about mental health or looking after contestants more.

AIBU in thinking this is just out of control now?
YABU - Love Island is just a bit of fun
YANBU - Love Island has gone way too far (again)

OP posts:
Bagelsandbrie · 23/06/2021 07:19

My dd is 17 (18 next month) and will be watching but her and her friends don’t take any of it seriously. It’s mean to be outrageous and ridiculous. I think older people take it much more seriously than younger people.

ConstanceGracy · 23/06/2021 07:20

It really is such a gross program and thankfully no one in my family watches it.

CupOfTPlease · 23/06/2021 07:21

I'm 28 and don't take it seriously. Most of the time I think that's gross.

Especially the one that said 'I'm partial to a married man' I can see her going out first. What an intro.

DisgruntledPelican · 23/06/2021 07:24

YANBU to think it’s trashy nonsense, but it’s not a show for young teens, is it?

SandysMam · 23/06/2021 07:24

Should have been axed when the actual presenter hung herself after 2 other contestants had done the same. Might not have been linked to the show but extremely bad taste if you ask me!!! Just shows that money is the only thing that matters!!

FAQs · 23/06/2021 07:25

My 16 year old and her friends don’t watch it, they think it’s a load of crap, on the other hand I watch it! I do find they don’t always match the rubbish they say in the show reels and seem embarrassed when they see it back.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 23/06/2021 07:25

They're just caricatures at this point. It's like Big Brother, originally they just had regular people but as time went on they brought in more and more outrageous characters to shock. I just don't watch.

Original poster
Polkadots2021 · 23/06/2021 07:29

I think it's a shame as there's so many awesome characters that could go in that could be fun to watch, without feeling like they have to be humiliatingly sex obsessed to be interesting. I know it isn't for young people but we'd be kidding ourselves to think even tweens are watching it. It's so depressingly predictably exploitative.

OP posts:
LoopTheLoops · 23/06/2021 08:25

I honestly think some of them just say it to get on the show, a lot of them have made out they are a certain way but they are the complete opposite on the show so I think it’s just about being as shocking as they can for attention.

therocinante · 23/06/2021 09:08

Is Love Island trash TV with lots of concerning elements? Yep, no argument there.

the kind of man she's after is the kind who would 'rip her a new a##hole' Yep, this is is gross even in the context she meant it (she meant verbally - like someone who wouldn't take her shit). Gross turn of phrase and frankly I wouldn't want someone to talk to me like that.

and another said she had sex 8 times a day and had sex in a toilet the day before. ...what's your problem with this?

SticksAndStoned · 23/06/2021 09:14

I watched one season, to see what it was that the younger people around me were talking about.

I find it astonishing that people don't see how much influence the production crew have over what goes on. Things were clearly designed to create drama to make good television.

Imo there should be more limitations on what TV companies can do within the parameters of 'reality tv' - because it's not even close to reality.

MrsDThomas · 23/06/2021 09:49

Its trashy TV. Like Naked Attraction. People with no morals.

sbhydrogen · 23/06/2021 10:09

It's just 100% pure entertainment, and is not to be taken seriously.

Ohmygoshandfolly · 23/06/2021 10:15

Vile programme. I liked the post about the contestants being copied and pasted, they really are.

EmeraldShamrock · 23/06/2021 10:21

Yanbu. It is very confusing for teenagers and detrimental for younger women.
It's just 100% pure entertainment, and is not to be taken seriously.
Really? I'm sure there are many who'll take their word for it ladies want an new asshole ripped. 🙄

Naunet · 23/06/2021 10:33

I guess I just don’t understand what’s fun about scraping the bottom of the barrel.

newnortherner111 · 23/06/2021 11:08

Two former participants and a former presenter have taken their own life. Enough reason not to continue with the show.

Even before you consider the impact on young women as noted above.

Original poster
Polkadots2021 · 23/06/2021 21:55

@therocinante

Is Love Island trash TV with lots of concerning elements? Yep, no argument there.

the kind of man she's after is the kind who would 'rip her a new a##hole' Yep, this is is gross even in the context she meant it (she meant verbally - like someone who wouldn't take her shit). Gross turn of phrase and frankly I wouldn't want someone to talk to me like that.

and another said she had sex 8 times a day and had sex in a toilet the day before. ...what's your problem with this?

Seriously, have we gotten to a place where a young woman feels she has to talk about sex in toilets and having sex 8 times a day to feel that someone is interested in what she has to say? Because thats why she said it. Of course I have a problem with that. It's just such a sad sight.
OP posts:
AliceLivesHere · 29/06/2021 15:04

@therocinante

Is Love Island trash TV with lots of concerning elements? Yep, no argument there.

the kind of man she's after is the kind who would 'rip her a new a##hole' Yep, this is is gross even in the context she meant it (she meant verbally - like someone who wouldn't take her shit). Gross turn of phrase and frankly I wouldn't want someone to talk to me like that.

and another said she had sex 8 times a day and had sex in a toilet the day before. ...what's your problem with this?

Wow what vile comments.

I had a quick look on catch up and so many have fake bits - the lips on a couple look ridiculous and one has boobs that basically don't move at all stuck in place. Why women why? I really thought women had come further than this awful fake clone look.

The men look much more natural, although lots of muscles (but not fake bits).

AliceLivesHere · 29/06/2021 15:07

@newnortherner111

Two former participants and a former presenter have taken their own life. Enough reason not to continue with the show.

Even before you consider the impact on young women as noted above.

I wonder if the show attracts individuals with MH problems that focus purely on how they look and their self esteem completely focused on looks.
withpeaceandlove · 29/06/2021 15:13

@AliceLivesHere but why do you think that it's at all okay to critique and mock their appearance in this way? Just because someone has filler or plastic surgery it doesn't mean you get a free pass to shame the way they look. I think this attitude is so hypocritical, 'the show is so bad for mental health' and 'they don't look how I want them to so they're ugly and fake'. You're part of the problem.

Hallyup6 · 29/06/2021 15:39

It's utter trash. I'd guess a lot of contestants make up bullshit as a way to get noticed. I find it quite sad that many of them clearly have no self esteem. It should be cancelled, along with other similar shows.

chickenninja · 29/06/2021 15:50

I do wonder why, just for one year, they couldn't get normal looking people to enter.
I do like the show and I watch it myself but I'm aware it's absolute trash and the format is so rinsed.
It feels scripted because the contestants have clearly watched every series and come out with the same cliches and expressions that have been used over and over again. Even the set looks the same.

Can't normal people have relationships and banter and drama?
The producers aren't listening to the audience and are not risking making changes because they think it's a safe bet.

Anyway with all that being said I've just subscribed to itv so I don't have to watch all the fucking adverts so I'm a massive hypocrite and I'm helping pay their wages.

Ginger1982 · 29/06/2021 15:59

It's a horrible show. I'm actually gobsmacked Thad so many people I know watch it. That, and Too Hot to Handle. Is this what we've become? 🤮

Bluntness100 · 29/06/2021 16:03

I can’t understand why folks say it’s so bad foe their mental health whilst being first in line to hurl abuse at the contestants. And doing it with faux concern doesn’t make it any better.