Love Island 2019 – First Impressions
So the Summer viewing has begun. The first episode of Love Island 2019 aired on TV last night, and we set sights on this years motley crew of contestants. I’m not going to lie, I absolutely loved last years show and felt that it would be hard to beat some of the personalities that entered the villa in 2018. I had two minds about whether to watch, knowing that by doing so I would be committing myself to a summer of daily episodes or accepting major TV FOMO. I also had a slightly bad taste about the effect that shows like Love Island seem to have on both their viewers and contestants, with mental health issues seeming to be a major output for previous contestants, with suicides from past stars who have been somewhat left to handle their new found fame without sufficient preparation and or support. With the removal of Jeremy Kyle from our shows following the death of a participant, I was surprised to learn that Love Island 2019 was still going ahead, and the fact that it has been allowed to continue, I hope means that they are paying more attention to the after care they offer from this point forward.
That said, people can’t go on shows like Love Island and expect to not get a wide range of public opinion, unfortunately a little nature of the beast – case in point I have formed some first impressions already – and not all of them positive!
2019 promised to be a little different, with a fresh approach, less Love Island Clones, and fresh, real and relatable characters.
So did it deliver?
Seven boys and five girls entered the villa last night – which obviously means there are more girls to come – and I fully expect to see a few twists, turns and unexpected events in the first few weeks. Already we have our first twist, with Curtis and Tommy coming in with the chance to “steal” the girls of their choice and leave two men single and vulnerable in episode two!
First things first, I am a little concerned that Love Island may be trying a bit too hard with the semi celebrity status. Having seen how much the public got behind Dani Dyer, with her famous Dad giving her an immediately higher profile, it now feels a little like they are trying to replicate her success, with not one but two “semi celebrities” heading into the villa this Summer – Curtis (younger brother of AJ Pritchard from Strictly Come Dancing) and Tommy (younger brother of Tyson Fury). Not that they are in any way shape or form famous in their own right, but the brother of a celebrity. Not quite the same cult status at Danny Dyer mind, so I have to question whether it is absolutely necessary, I personally prefer it when they are not already in the limelight.
The Phrases
Already heard in episode 1 – mugged off, melt, my type on paper, whats your type? LOYAL (cringe) and BEV? Lucie you are very sweet, but your repetition of the word Bev is already starting to get a tad annoying.
The Personalities
The Girls
Overall the girls all seem relatively down to earth and inoffensive, although Lucie appears to be the source of a new dictionary of words for 2019, and I have a feeling that Amber could be trouble – she certainly seems to know what she wants, although that may well be anything with a pulse!
Like most women watching last night, I am sure I am not alone in immediately thinking that Amber has AMAZING hair, and it’s great to see two women who most certainly offer brains as well as beauty including Anna the pharmacist and Yowande the scientist – but following on from the nice girls finish last concept, is the latter the new Dr Alex?
With two of the girls having never had a proper relationship before, it does make you wonder how they will cope with the brutal nature of love island!
The Boys
Anton came across as a bit too arrogant for me, but that may just be a bit of initial bravado, with his wandering eye and brazen approach to expressing that he finds Lucie attractive, I have already seen him described as “a microwaved version of Adam Collard”! online, which I have to admit did make me laugh.
Joe – seems like good fun and had me smiling with his sliced bread comparisons, and Micheal & Callum both seem like “nice” guys – but is there another side to them?!
Sherif just looked fed up bless him, both at being pie’d off for the standard of his shirt and losing Amber at the very first hurdle!
Any winning couples yet? Erm… no. Not for me, but we have plenty of time for that!
So will I be watching?
Yes, of course I bloody well will. Who’s with me? What are your first thoughts on the class of 2019?
