To enjoy Love Island

[minutesturntohours]

I've watched every series, I really enjoy it. It's a great hour each evening.

I know people generally look down on programmes like this but don't actually watch them. I can't be the only one?

Utter dross where we tell generations of the world that the only way they'll find "love" is to be slim, go on TV in skimpy outfits and have a specific look - preferably using products you can sell using your body.

It's an appalling programme, and solely about exploiting often rather vulnerable young men and women, and the money the producers can generate from them. They've demonstrated their lack of care for the participants and their mental health.

Jeremy Kyle only got cancelled after a suicide despite years of horrific behaviour on his programme. Yet Love Island is allowed to carry on? It's a disgraceful situation.

There have been 6 series of Love Island? And about 20 contestants per series plus a presenter. So 3 suicides out of approximately 120 people, which is quite shocking compared to the 11 people per 100,000 which is the national suicide rate. As PP suggested, it might not be that the show directly caused them, rather that it allows a lot of exposure to people who are likely already suffering mental health issues.

You are being deliberately obtuse.

These people had mental health issues.
They appeared on love island. Therefore the producers clearly did not give enough consideration to the fact there were MH issues at play here.

Because of their appearances on love island their private lives became public property.

Caroline Flack in particular received the abuse she did because she was known from Love island. Had she not been associated with the show she would not have been targeted online for the things she did in her private life.

It’s very definitely been said that Caroline Flack’s suicide was largely fuelled by the abuse received online. Abuse received because she was known from love island.

So yes, indirectly Love island is responsible for her suicide, and by watching it, so are the viewers.

I suspect that if Love island didn’t air on prime time television it would have been cancelled now.

But it brings in considerable revenue to ITV which the JK show did not. To the extent that it’s been extended to two series a year, so they can make more money and exploit more people.

I suppose the same applies to any television or chilled activity? Anyone who likes films?
Basically half the population under 30 are unhappy you say, I'm not sure about this one.

It's just a show people watch, because their friends watch, that's all there is to it

@AlternativePerspective absolutely, plus they've sold the model internationally for other countries to exploit still more young (frequently rather stupid) and commonly vulnerable people.

But as long as 7yo girls are begging their parents for Love Island water bottles and bikinis, the world will keep going round, right? It's all about the money. Screw the consequences.

I watch it. I don't love it but it passes an hour in the evenings. I don't take part in the online commentary though, the whole disecting every word and look and leaping to massive conclusions about the contestants. At the end of the day though that is what the contestants want, every single one of them is going on it to raise their profile so they can be an influencer and get the easy #ad money and that won't happen if people aren't talking about them.

Can't stand it. It glorifies the idea of being good-looking and stupid

They've actually made an effort to put more well educated people in. Maybe they don't look it, but there's been a fair few in STEM or from very good universities, which I actually think is good that they took on board.

I think watching films, which showcase acting talent and tell a story, is a little different from watching real life drama play out just for the sake of it and idolising fake tanned wannabe celebrities. I have never understood the obsession with reality TV.

The show's always the same now: slow to start, good around the middle, then really boring in the last third. I won't pretend I'm above it but I'm sure most would agree its cultural zeitgeist has been and gone.

I think watching films, which showcase acting talent and tell a story, is a little different from watching real life drama play out just for the sake of it and idolising fake tanned wannabe celebrities. I have never understood the obsession with reality TV.

Yes, it's trashy but I just don't think it matters. It's ok to enjoy mind numbing television now and again. Not sure I'll be watching this year, though. Too scripted, too many celebs, some unlikable contestants... looks like a pass.

I can't be the only one?

You're most certainly not. It was (still is?) the most popular show on TV by viewer numbers. As it's mainly watched by women, it's almost certainly women's favourite TV program overall.

I love it, but I've never allowed my kids to watch it..

"You're most certainly not. It was (still is?) the most popular show on TV by viewer numbers."

I don't think this is true. It makes ITV a shitload of money because of surrounding endorsements, but its consolidated ratings aren't that big.

@loomband No fat, ugly fuckers though eh?

Love Island? They don't know the meaning of the word love. I'm not sure how anybody on here can watch this bollocks. It takes advantage of people who obviously have mental health and self-esteem issues, because nobody in their right mind would even apply to go on there. For once, I agree with the comments section of the DM.

I love it🙈yes it's staged and the chances of finding love are probably not that big but I still enjoy it🤷🏻‍♀️

They've actually made an effort to put more well educated people in. Maybe they don't look it, but there's been a fair few in STEM or from very good universities, which I actually think is good that they took on board. but still only the body beautiful. So if you’re intelligent you might get in but if you’re ugly you still won’t.

And let’s be honest, it’s the outer appearance young teens feel pressured into. If you’re not thin or beautiful then you’re not worthy and these programmes just confirm it.

Yep. My feeling too

It's a banned programme at the boarding school one of my children attends. Some of the teenagers were not happy.

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

@minutesturntohours yay! And that's my point the fact that MN can have 2 dozen threads real time watching threads on Love Island. Shows how many viewers it has. Especially when you consider that the average Mumsnetter isn't Love Island's target demographic perhaps. Ok that thread could be a bit bitchy about the contestants it was usually a pretty nice thread to be on. Where we would discuss what we would do if we were the love islanders or advice we would give to them.

Only watched the series with Molly Mae - enjoyed it and useful platform for talking about relationship issues and respect with DD. I’ll watch this year as a former school friend of DD’s is in it

No skinny, spindly types - no representation for me either. I'm still honestly better they don't, they're all shallow so it wouldn't end well. Just don't take it too seriously. Some people suggested an LI with older (late 20s-30s) I think that would be good.

I saw a couple of episodes a few years ago. The most boring, ridiculous programme I’ve ever seen.

And yes, I do judge people that find it entertaining. It exploits the contestants, and the viewers in the most cynical way.