Love Island 2024 Thread 1: Are we really going to put ourselves through this again?

[sumnus]

Contestants were announced today for the new series starting on Monday 3rd.

I don't know if I can do it this year folks.

Happy to agree to differ with you, definitely each to their own and yeah Sam not perfect, but Grace does not just smile - it’s a smug smile 🤣

I reckon there is a writer somewhere mapping out what might happen if another boy/girl were to take the eye of Joey or Grace.

I would love to see more of them with genuinely happy and relaxed smiles. Many of them don’t seem to be enjoying the experience.

Ya I can sort of see that.

Of course it goes without saying the Uma is gorgeous anyway.

No Irish in it this year, or at least to the episode I was on last night which I think might have been Monday. The new lot are in the other villa.

I'm not convinced that Grace is an ex. I'd expected them to have been a little wary before throwing themselves back into a relationship. If she was an ex there must have been a reason, not just distance. Also I would have expected a proper discussion about their feelings and whether they should try again. They were snogging (and more) almost straight away as if they were a couple who hadn't seen each other for a few days rather than a couple who had split. I thought I read somewhere that they had blocked one another? I find that hard to believe. I really hope they don't win as the others deserve a chance.

I disagree Sam sleeping on the day bed was anything but recognising she had lost Joey's attention and wanting to be nowhere near. I agree she was a lot about TOWIE etc and she admitted she'd scuppered herself by not bonding with any other boys, even really as friends, preferring to stick with the girls.

What made Joey's behaviour unpalatable to me was the power imbalance. He is older (much too old for LI in my view which I've said severally) much more experienced in the media and was trying to stage manage a row rather than address her valid feelings and move on.

Calling her pathetic was verbal abuse and insisting she was the one who had stopped pursuing the relationship was gaslighting.

It didn't feel like an innocent case of handling something badly which happens all the time on LI.

All it needed was an apology for hurt feelings, a bit of smoothing over and some space. Instead he seemed determined to elicit a reaction like a reality producer which seemed unfair when she was genuinely upset (not saying scarred for life) and didn't have his background..

It wasn't about Sam being a sweetheart or not, it was a cynical position to put complete unknowns in a supposedly candid/ semi scripted competition with someone with that level of reality TV experience and influence.

I have no idea re him and Grace being an item.

If the girls are attracted to celebrity clout that still doesn't explain Omar being left in the shade - as a close friend of Stormzy!

I must admit that I am still really cheesed off with the Joey/Grace/Samantha saga. And I would say that I am also cheesed off that hairdresser Sam got kicked out so early because an established TV personality joined the show.

i recognise that I am irrationally cheesed off about people I have never met. But I am actually cheesed off not with the people In the villa but with the producers. Can you tell that I am a tad cheesed off?

Viewing figures have declined considerably since the days of Dani, Maura, Molly Mae etc.

The producers need to be very careful because viewers know that it is heavily edited and contrived. But being taken for mugs over the Joey Essex show will be a step too far and probably the final nail in the LI coffin.

Joey justifying to Sam about sleeping in the hideaway with Grace because she didn't want to sleep in a single bed, is honestly the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen in LI. They were 100% already a couple and that comes from me, who doesn't believe it's as scripted as some think. I don't think they ever get told who to couple up with, the producers manipulate the voting in other ways. I think if they wanted Sam out for mental health reasons they'd have removed her themselves, not let her get booted out.

I now have to watch Sean's scenes through my fingers.... he really would do absolutely anything to stay in that villa. He keeps saying "I've just been waiting for the right girl to walk through the door" to every girl who walks in, but still tries it on with any original if they're looking vulnerable in their couple.

I wish Omar had picked Sam, Jess's face would have been priceless. Her "pick me" eyes at him must have practically burned through to his soul.

I completely agree regarding Sam.
Joey didn’t declare his undying love for her, he told her he was open & it was obvious there was no chemistry.
It’s not his fault she felt there was more to it, he didn’t lead her on (in my opinion).
He never said he wanted to be exclusive or anything of the sort, that I have seen.
I think she came across rude at the end last night there was no need for that and if she felt embarrassed Joey didn’t like her, I’m sure she’ll be embarrassed about her behaviour last night if she watches it back, she acted like they’d been in a long term relationship not coupled up for 2 weeks.
I think for her own MH it’s probably best she has gone as it was a shame to see her so upset.

I agree that Sam was overly invested after 2 weeks and Joey didn’t lead her on and nor does he owe her anything. But I still have zero interest in watching Joey crack on with a girl he’s already been involved with outside of the villa. It’s totally unnecessary for them to be there taking up two spots that could go to more deserving contestants. It feels wrong and completely inauthentic.

I don’t think I can take anymore of Sean’s “what sweet do you like best?” banter. Makes me cringe.

I would love to see someone like Liberty go in for Sean

Are any new people going in?

2 new bombshells (1 of each) tonight who have picked 3 islanders each to go on a date with. Well - not a date. It's the one where one makes a starter, the next a main etc etc and the rest of them nearly fall off the terrace trying to crane their necks at it all

I agree @Catlord but she is so beautiful and has a lovely way about her

I'm surprised all the men aren't tripping over themselves to get her attention

I think some of the chats Tiffany has had are a bit odd, the ones with Ronnie and Sean. So weird.

@RedRobyn2021 Who?

With regards to the Joey thing... I can't recall exactly what he said to Sam on their date but I do remember it was in complete contrast to what he told the boys when he got back, which was that he was so open he put Mr Arkwright to shame.

Tiffany reminds me of a goldfish. Constantly shocked expression and doesn’t seem to have much under the surface. Happy to be proved wrong!

@CellophaneFlower

i am similarly sceptical of things being manipulated and set up by producers but nothing will convince me that Joey and Grace were not together all along. Joey wasn’t remotely surprised to see her and it explains so much of his weirdly asexual and disinterested behaviour.

Irrespective of whether Samantha was over invested etc I think J and G have behaved in such a horrible and smug way. I felt really sorry for Samantha and I wasn’t her biggest fan.

I still want someone to go in for Sean. Maybe someone as sweet as caramel. I’ll get my coat…

Who's that, Uma? I think she's my fave -sweet, funny, kind and a bit different. Plus absolutely gorgeous!

So so fake with the Joey / Grace storyline. Feel like someone it right there with a clapperboard. 🎥 🎞

Wow do they ever change things. Bit like the breakfast dates 🥱

The only two naturally pretty girls in there are Uma and Mimi. Grace has that bland, vacant, no personality instagram model thing about her. I said it before, I initially thought she was pretty when she came in. But she's not a natural beauty like Uma and Mimi, it's that artificial plastic look. There's a big difference between natural beauty and plastic beauty. Unfortunately a lot of the men on LI seem to prefer the plastic type.

I’ve just caught up and thought exactly this too. Joey handled that terribly but ultimately, he was never really into Sam. She just wanted to be with Joey Essex. Re coupling is the nature of the game, it is what it is.

Harriet is growing on me but bloody hell, her hair and the make up is jarring me. I was glad the candy man picked her just to see Jess’ sour face

I do also think that Joey and Grace should go though, it’s not really fair so be they’re just taking up a space.

Completely irrelevant but Joey has the worst clothes and trainers ever. Yet he's constantly looking at his outfits up and down.