Channel 7's ‘radical' reality TV gamble finally makes it to air
The network is seeking to break a disaster run of failing Aussie reality shows with its 'radical' series Stranded on Honeymoon Island, which is narrated by radio queen Jackie 'O' Henderson.
After a lengthy delay (the show was first announced at Seven's Upfronts in October 2023, while a trailer dropped in May 2024), Stranded finally made it to air Monday night, and it's prompted one question among viewers: 'What did I just watch?'
Six wannabe participants are paired together following a round of rapid speed dates, later exchanging vows with the person producers felt they had the most chemistry with during the two-minute dates.
That's when the Survivor element comes into play – the newlyweds are then shipped to a remote island, forced to dive into the ocean in their bride and groom outfits and swim to shore, where they embark on their 'honeymoon' in the great outdoors with no phones, no changes of clothing and no creature comforts.
And we may only be one episode in, but one couple has already begun to implode.
Dating influencer Amy, 30, fast emerges of the firecracker of the season, introducing herself as a confident go-getter who rarely gets nervous. With one exception.
'If I'm doing stand-up comedy, I take a lot of nervous shits,' she tells us.
Amy takes a liking to Haydn, 29, on their speed date, but is ultimately paired with someone very different: TV presenter Mike, 37.
Mike misreads the room during their vows, thinking they've hit it off sensationally despite Amy's obvious disdain.
Once the pair arrive on the island, things rapidly go downhill as their dominant personalities clash.
'To be honest, there's been a lot of things that you've done that have made me uncomfortable,' Amy tells Mike.
'I've felt an underlying misogyny from you.'
A flabbergasted Mike declares, 'I've never heard that from anyone before', to which Amy replies, 'I think there's a clear vibe that I'm not feeling it. I'm not romantically feeling it. I don't even think we're there as friends yet.'
Mike later huffs in to camera, 'That was harsh.'
What was also harsh was viewer reaction on social media.
'Same s***. Different show,' one wrote.
'This island show is crap,' another deadpanned.
'Cheap version of MAFS,' a third pointed out.
'Watched 20 mins of this crap even the Mrs didn't like it and that's saying something,' a fourth said.
'OMG is there nothing else that can be aired on prime time TV.'
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