Love Island fans have taken to social media to criticize the UK version, saying it offers more chaos, diversity, and wild energy than the US version.
Love Island might be back on our screens for another summer of grafting, recouplings and head-turns but viewers are already calling time on the UK villa and saying the drama has officially moved across the pond and they are heading to the USA version for their fix of drama, chaos, and actual entertainment.
While the ITV2 show has long been considered a staple of British reality telly, this year’s series hasn’t quite hit the mark. Now, Brits are tuning into Love Island USA, claiming it’s bringing the messiness, diversity, and wild energy they’ve been begging for – and some aren’t even watching the UK version at all.
Social media is flooded with Brits raving about Love Island USA, with some even resorting to dodgy Google streams to watch the American version instead. “Love Island USA is actually better than UK now that I’m locked in, because the UK girlies always looked the same year after year. This show is far more diverse,” one fan tweeted.
Another viewer said: “Look at how fun Love Island USA is compared to the UK, we’re acc starving out ere,” after Megan Thee Stallion popped into the villa – something fans reckon would never happen over here.
Not just about making an appearance on the A-list. The US version has become, well, beige, according to fans, while the UK version has become messier, sexier, and more unpredictable. Recent seasons have been plagued by complaints about boring couples, overproduced edits, and safe casting.
The numbers reveal a very similar story, and they’re not in the wrong.
Just 1 million viewers tuned in for the Love Island UK debut episode this summer, a significant decrease from 2.5 million in the previous year. That’s a drastic change from a popular summer TV show. Things are now looking grim, with the opener for 2022 having 1.3 million and the opener for 2023 having 1.7 million. With the exception of Unseen Bits, the first week of this year’s series averaged only 855, 000 viewers, with only 144, 000 of its 16 to 24 year old viewers actually watching.
The discontinuation seems inevitable to some seasoned fans. Instead of imposing iconic bust-ups and jaw-dropping Casa Amor moments, Love Island has lost the cultural force that some claim just doesn’t feel anymore. Safe casting, familiar storylines, and a vibe.
Even 2019 champion Amber Gill weighed in, blaming over-policing and public outcry for the decline. In a wry post, she declared, “Reality telly is dead,” blaming hyper-sensitive viewers for ruining the show. She also attacked backlash against a contestant who claimed a girl was “too glamorous for a 9-5,” calling the outcry outrageous.
Fans already praised Love Island USA’s rise as “the best ever,” and last year’s series was no exception. However, despite the show starting in the UK, it seems that the American villa has officially taken the crown now that the ratings are dropping and viewers are switching sides.
Source: Mirror
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