‘Temptation Island’ is back and as dramatic as ever
The revival of “Temptation Island” is ready to give audiences a dose of nostalgia.
On the USA series, premiering Tuesday at 10 p.m., four couples at a “pivotal point” in their relationship will put their love to the test by joining 24 eligible bachelors and bachelorettes in Maui, Hawaii — and will ultimately decide whether or not they’re meant to be together.
“What I always tell people is that, if you saw the original, this won’t disappoint,” says host Mark L. Walberg, who hosted the first version on Fox from 2001-2003. “The difference is that there’s a little bit more of a nuance, in that we realized that in the original it was more about the couples — and the singles were just there to tempt. We realized [now] that the singles are also looking for love, and trying to find their person.
“It’s a two-way street.”
Walberg, 56, says that while he had heard about the “Temptation Island” revamp, he didn’t anticipate he’d be a part of it.
“I read about it in the trades that they were rebooting it. USA Network realized the title was still something that was viable, and the dating scene these days is even more relevant, and so I thought it was a really great move by them,” he says. “And I was a little surprised and thrilled that they called me. I didn’t expect them to.”
Taking over his old post, Walberg says that while he tries his best “not to offer advice unless asked,” he’s there to support the couples as they embark on an unorthodox journey.
“I’m there to hopefully guide them through it and to call them out when they’re not being real and listen to them when they’re going through it and hope for the best for all of them,” he says.
This season’s four pairings include Chicago’s Karl and Nicole, who have been together for two-and-a-half years; high school sweethearts Javen and Shari of San Francisco; three-year Bumble success story John and Kady, who reside in Fort Worth, Texas; and LA-based Evan and Kaci, who have been dating exclusively for five years.
“I think people relate to [the idea] of, ‘Am I with the one or not?’ We all ask that question,” Walberg says of the show’s built-in appeal. “What I keep telling them in the show … [is to] spend less time worrying about what your boyfriend is doing on the other side of the island [and whether] he’s cheating or not. Spend more time looking at ‘What is it that is not being fulfilled for me?’ You can’t control what’s going on on the other side.”
As for the show’s longevity, Walberg believes reality TV fans will be tempted to tune in.
“In general, you want a cast that you can either relate to or root for or root against so you’re invested, and you need to have a story that’s dramatic,” he says. “It can be heartfelt and poignant, or absolutely scandalous. All the earmarks that we think people love in reality … are here — and then dialed up even more.”
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