Random Facts About 'Love Island' British Reality Show (21 items)

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  (#5) Some Of The Female Contestants Formed A "Dry Hump Society"

  Whether it was a strategic ploy or an attempt to maintain at least a modicum of decorum, a group of female Islanders formed a surprising abstinence alliance during the 2018 season of the show. They called themselves the Dry Hump Society. The club was purportedly a way for the ladies to have more control over the couplings and who did what with whom. As we all know, sex can quickly complicate things — but a vow of celibacy on a show like Love Island admittedly seems counter to the entire brand.
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  (#1) It's Coming To America

  In August 2018, American company CBS snatched the US format rights to Love Island. 

  "Love Island has been a massive success overseas. It's currently seen, or about to premiere in several European countries as well as Australia, and we're thrilled that ITV has partnered with us to bring their most successful show to American television, CBS's head of alternative programming Sharon Vuong told Deadline. 
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  (#8) The Show Stirs Up Considerable Controversy

  Love Island isn't your grandmother's nightly TV viewing by any stretch of the imagination. The show has generated significant controversy for what is seen by many as a nonstop orgy of sex, sun, and shallow young people out of control. One columnist called out the exploitative nature of free-for-all sex, calling it "sneak p*rn." The shady game-playing, the bed-hopping contestants, and the cutthroat competition all in the name of a little cold, hard cash (and maybe a little tabloid fame) combine to make a show that has attracted the not-always-positive attention of the world.

  As the show made its way to a Australia for a version down-under, a psychologist slammed the UK version of Love Island, saying, “We have a huge problem in this country with sexism, we have a huge problem with domestic violence. I do not believe that this show — unless they have radically changed it — ...is helpful." But one thing is certain: if any publicity is good publicity, then Love Island's headline-making ways spell success.
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  (#11) It Has Allegedly Led To A Decline In Chest Hair

  One can bemoan the lack of civility on Love Island, the lack of propriety, the lack of tastefulness. But among its greatest "tragedies" may in fact be the idea that the show has led to a decline in chest hair. Turn on Love Island at any point in any show, and you will likely see a shirtless male with nary a hint of body hair. They've been shaved, plucked, tweezed, and waxed to within an inch of their lives. Many fans seem to be following suit: gone are the days of bushy Playgirl models and Cosmo centerfold Burt Reynolds in all his resplendently furry glory. Love Island is ushering in an age of totally hairless men.
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  (#4) Contestants Sometimes Get It On In Front Of Other Contestants

  It stands to reason if you're appearing on reality TV, you're probably not too concerned with intimacy and modesty in general. But in 2016, one couple took disregard of propriety to a whole other level. Islander couple Terry and Malin engaged in sexual activity in front of their housemates and the world. And not only did their housemates watch, but the other contestants actually cheered Terry and Malin on. It was a new high for the show — or a new low, depending on who you ask.
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  (#9) Clocks And Watches Are Not Allowed In The Cast Villa

  To maintain tension and raise the stakes, the atmosphere on the Love Island set is purposefully kept as removed from the real world as is humanly possible. There are many ways producers accomplish this rarified air, including the removal of all clocks and timepieces from the villa. Kady McDermott, who came in third during Love Island's 2016 season, told Cosmopolitan:

  You don’t even know what time it is! You’re not allowed clocks... You don’t even know what day it is really. We started to figure out the time by where the sun was! If the smoking area was in the shade when we woke up, we knew it was before 7 AM, so we started figuring out timings. But the days were very long, and the producers never let us sleep in past 9:30 AM [because] that wasn’t entertaining.

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