Latest news with #WillTaylor
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Virgin Island is cruel, exploitative, and horribly uncomfortable to watch: CLAUDIA CONNELL'S blistering review of Channel 4 show branded the 'dregs' of TV exploitation
Where is there left to go when just about every avenue has been explored when it comes to TV dating and relationship programmes? We've had dating abroad (Love Island); dating in a restaurant (First Dates) and singles shacking up just minutes after meeting (Married at First Sight). Channel 4 's current series Open House: The Great Sex Experiment even invites committed couples to 'test' their bond at a swingers' retreat. The answer, it seems, is that you commission a series that dispatches 12 virgins to a Croatian island with the intention of coaxing them into losing their virginity – on camera – to a 'sex surrogate '. Just when you thought the barrel had been scraped, this latest series has managed to shave some final dregs from the very bottom. Over the course of six episodes, the 12 virgins will undergo radical therapy that producers hope will result in them having sex in the name of light entertainment. The first episode, which airs tonight, teases viewers by posing the question: 'When the moment arrives, who will be ready to go all the way?' As we meet the 12 participants and hear their stories, it's clearly all gleefully geared towards viewers at home placing their bets on who will be the first to do the deed, and who'll be heading home with their virginity firmly intact. Will Taylor, 29, a bisexual receptionist who does not see herself as desirable, have sex for the first time? What about 30-year-old civil servant Ben? The oldest virgin there, he has been on more than 40 dates but admits he is bad at reading signals and letting a girl know he likes her. To help him decipher where he goes wrong, he keeps a spreadsheet of his dates and tries to analyse the data. Naturally, the latest controversial offering from Channel 4 is being dressed up as another of those fascinating social experiments they're so fond of. The premise for Virgin Island is that, apparently, we are having less sex than ever before. 'It's happening all over the world, even the French are having less sex,' says Celeste Hirschman, one of the therapists leading the great deflowering experiment. The participants, mostly in their 20s, arrive at the resort for their two-week stay and are immediately launched into phase one of their coaching: desire. The key therapists on the island are Hirschman and Dr Danielle Harel, founders of the Somatica Institute in California, a centre that offers all manner of sex coaching and has been championed by Gwyneth Paltrow. They are helped along the way by an army of earnest, barefoot, harem-pant-wearing assistants, each with a different area of expertise. In an early exercise, Jason, 25, an admin assistant, quickly becomes uncomfortable when he is asked to practise deep breathing: by the time the exercise moves on to dancing around the room with abandon while making loud sex noises, he's had enough. Shy, awkward and yet endearingly sweet and funny, Jason will become one of the standout stars of the show, I suspect. The session ends with Dr Harel demonstrating the 'up against the wall' technique. Just as it sounds, a therapist called Andre pushes her against a wall and grinds his crotch into her while she lets out the sort of huffing and puffing sounds middle aged people make when trying to get out of a chair. While Jason wishes he was anywhere but Croatia, 28-year-old Zac, a delivery driver, is having the time of his life - so much so that even Kat, his assigned surrogate partner, has to tell him she'd like to slow things down. During a touch session, he says to her he wants to 'go all the way', adding, 'I would love to have sex with you, it's why I came here'. Feeling buoyed by his newfound confidence, Zac predicts he is going to leave the resort as an 'absolutely professionally trained sex demon'. I think we can all safely assume that Zac will be flying back to the UK minus his virginity and, very possibly, soon afterwards booking his first 18-30 holiday. Tonight's opening episode ends with the participants being asked to write a sexual fantasy story, one they are prepared to read aloud to the group. 'I expect 12 virgins to struggle with writing an erotic story, I don't think they'll have much of a clue,' says Hirschman. So why ask them? If it was an attempt to raise a cheap laugh, then it backfires. Jason writes a sweet story imagining that he lives in a castle with his adored wife until one day he gets the opportunity to cheat on her with the sexy Colombian actress Sofia Vergara, but he turns her down and makes love to his wife instead. Emma, 23, a fast-food server, manages just a few lines about her hope of meeting a man who is kind and will treat her with respect. She doesn't mention sex at all. One of the more fragile people taking part, Emma has a heartbreaking lack of confidence. Tall, slim and beautiful, she could easily be a model and yet describes herself as a 'Duff' (designated ugly, fat, friend.) Let's hope that Channel 4 has taken its duty of care seriously and will be providing the contestants with the ongoing support I imagine many are going to need. By episode two, the coaching has moved onto 'touch' and the virgins are asked to participate in exercises that would make even the most sexually experienced blush. On day three at the retreat, they are led to a communal area where a giant double bed sits in the middle of the room. They're then invited to step forward to stroke and rub themselves up against a therapist. Next, the 12 are encouraged to partake in what's called the 'animal game' by crawling around on all fours, making bestial noises while sniffing one another. 'Acting like a zoo animal? That's just not for me,' says Emma. Nor anyone else. And yet Emma is being led to believe that imitating a dog on heat is going to increase her sexual confidence. Jason tries his absolute best and when 'emotional intimacy coach' Joy strokes and kisses him he announces that 'I feel sick but not in a bad way'. Sensing that Jason is coming out of his shell, Celeste seizes the opportunity to invite him to a one-to-one session in her tent where she ends up straddling him and simulating (fully clothed) sex. Jason, Ben and Emma come in for the lion's share of attention in the first two episodes and, sadly, the likeliest reason is that they are the most geeky, anxious and awkward. And therein lies the problem with Virgin Island; it's turning the genuine concerns of the poor souls who volunteered into low-rent entertainment. Comedian Lucy Beaumont's tongue-in-cheek 'ooh err missus' style of narration only hammers the point home. Contestants on Love Island know what they're signing up for and most are there hoping to boost their social media profiles and make some money as influencers. That clearly isn't case with Virgin Island. Instead, the show feels cruel, exploitative and horribly uncomfortable to watch.
Forbes
01-05-2025
- General
- Forbes
Customize Your Bed's Feel With 5 Of The Best Firm Mattress Toppers
If you're not yet in the market to replace your mattress but you want to extend its life or make your sleep setup a little more comfortable, a mattress topper is a great solution. For those who prefer a firmer feel, we curated this list of the best firm mattress toppers; we relied on the firsthand testing experience of our sleep team, consulted an expert and took a deep dive into the newest product offerings. Most firm toppers are made from latex or memory foam and come in a range of firmness levels. We think the Nolah Mattress Topper is the best firm mattress topper overall because its medium firmness is a good mid-range feel for most people, plus it comes with a convenient washable cotton cover. 'A firm topper is ideal if your current mattress feels too soft, if you need better spinal alignment or if you're experiencing back discomfort and want to extend your mattress's life,' says Will Taylor, and interior design author, TV host and founder of Bright Bazaar. In order to find the ideal option for your sleep needs, we've selected five of the best firm mattress toppers for a variety of sleepers. Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Luxury firm | Trial: 30 nights | Warranty: 10 years What you'll love: Keep in mind: The Nolah Mattress Topper is made from the company's proprietary 'AirFoam HD,' which is designed to offer superior motion isolation and pressure point relief. Weighing in at only 4 pounds, it's easy to unpack as well as to install using its elastic straps to secure it to your mattress. Taylor also notes that this mattress topper is 'a solid choice, particularly for its pressure relief and cooling features.' While this topper in luxury firm is a good choice most sleepers, it's also available in a plush feel for those who prefer something a bit softer yet supportive for dedicated side sleepers. It comes with a cover made of organic cotton that is not only removable but also washable, unlike some other topper covers. The materials' certifications ensure you're getting a product that doesn't release harmful chemicals and meets rigorous safety standards. Additionally, Nolah offers a generous 10-year warranty on this topper. Type: Foam | Firmness: Medium firm | Trial: 180 nights | Warranty: 1 year What you'll love: Keep in mind: If you're looking for a mattress topper for back pain, starting with one that's at least a medium firmness in feel, like the Saatva High-Density Foam Mattress Topper, is a good idea. This topper is made using organic materials that have certifications attesting to their sustainability. 'Saatva offers excellent quality, especially for those looking for natural materials and durability,' Taylor says. While this option offers support and cushioning for all sleepers, it's an especially good topper for side sleepers who are looking for a little more body contouring. Note that while the organic cotton cover is removable, the company's care instructions are to spot-clean only, as needed. Type: Latex | Firmness: Extra firm | Trial: None offered | Warranty: 5 years What you'll love: Keep in mind: This organic latex topper from Plush Beds is available in several options, so you can find one that's tailored to your needs and preferences. Not only does it come in a range of sizes including twin XL and California king, but you can also choose from a height of either 2 or 3 inches. But best of all, it's available in a selection of five firmnesses, from soft to extra firm. This topper is optimized for pressure point relief and is also suited for use by heavier-weight sleepers over 250 pounds. This topper also is GOLS-, GreenGuard Gold-, Eco-Institut- and Oeko-Tex Standard 100-certified, so you can be confident that you're sleeping on a product made with quality and sustainable materials. And if you choose to upgrade to the option with the organic cotton cover, that is GOTS-certified as well. Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium firm | Trial: 90 nights | Warranty: 7 years What you'll love: Keep in mind: Gel-infused memory foam is supportive and contouring, and offers comfort particularly suited for sleepers suffering with joint pain. The topper is available in a staggering array of sizes (including nontraditional ones like full XL and short queen) as well as three thickness choices (2, 3 or 4 inches), so there should be an option for everyone. The 4-inch-thick topper is best for heavier-weight sleeper, and the straps that help the topper stay put are adjustable, so it works with a mattress of any height. Despite being cushiony, this topper offers solid edge support, which some toppers don't achieve quite as well. Additionally, its medium-firm feel and excellent motion isolation make this a good option for couples. Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Luxury firm | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 1 year What you'll love: Keep in mind: The Helix Premium Mattress Topper is composed of two high-quality foam layers with a layer of steel microcoils sandwiched in between. This hybrid design provides durable support from inside the topper, which secures to your mattress with elastic straps. But the comfort layers and premium foam make this ideally suited for side sleepers looking for relief for aching pressure points. I tested this topper with a firm mattress, and think it's is ideal for someone who is looking to add a little plush pressure relief to their sleeping situation. It offers a contouring, cradling sensation, and the GlacioTex cover is cool to the touch. One downside is that I lost a little edge support otherwise provided by my mattress when adding the topper. The Forbes Vetted sleep team has years of deep experience testing and researching every type of sleep product available, including mattresses, pillows and mattress toppers. To select our recommendations for the best firm mattress toppers, we looked to high-quality, trusted brands, consulted an expert, did some firsthand testing and made sure to offer a variety of options to reflect materials, designs and price points suited for different sleepers. Not everyone wants the same thing out of their firm mattress topper, so it's important to look into a few factors before purchasing. Most firm mattress toppers are made of either latex or memory foam, but hybrid options are also available. 'Look for materials that offer both firmness and support, like high-density memory foam or latex, and make sure the topper matches your mattress size and sleeping needs,' Taylor says. Firmness is subjective, and it can take up to a month to break in a new topper and get used to it, so a generous trial period is nice to have. Additionally, some toppers come with more sustainability and safety certifications than others, so look out for those that if that is a priority for you. 'Great toppers hold their shape, provide even support and are made with durable, breathable materials. A truly great one also comes with certifications for quality and safety, like CertiPUR-US or Oeko-Tex Standard 100,' Taylor adds. Again, what feels firm to you may not be firm enough for another sleeper, and additionally, brands may have different standards to describe their toppers' feels. If your mattress is firm and you choose a topper with a medium feel, you can effectively reduce the firmness of your mattress. So if you're looking for a firm option, choose a topper made of materials such as memory foam or latex and look for a trial period. If you're trying to get a little more life your of your old, worn mattress, most firm toppers do the trick—to a point. 'Most firm toppers will work well on standard spring, memory foam or hybrid mattresses, but it's best to avoid using them on mattresses that are heavily sagging or too old,' Taylor says. If you tend to sleep hot, it's possible a topper may add some heat to your bed. To combat this, several options—like as the Helix Premium Topper With GlacioTex—come with a cooling or cool-to-the-touch cover. Additionally, memory foam tends to trap heat more so than latex, so you might want to look for one made with cooling materials like latex or gel-infused foam to help dissipate heat and maintain airflow, advises Taylor. Some great options include the Plush Beds Organic Latex Mattress Topper and the ViscoSoft Select High-Density Mattress Topper. Firm mattress toppers tend to be made of latex or memory foam. To ensure that your topper has a firm feel, look for ones described as being made of 'high-density' materials. Also, a thicker topper tends to be firmer than a thinner one. In general, yes, but that depends on the topper and the mattress under it. If your existing bed is in decent shape and you're looking for a little more support, a topper can help you extend the life of your mattress. 'A firm topper can adjust the feel of your mattress to better support your sleep position and improve overall comfort,' Taylor says. But if your mattress is more than 10 years old or very worn or saggy, you're better off shopping for a new mattress. Yes. The Plush Beds Organic Latex Mattress Topper is available in two thicknesses and five feels, including extra firm. We recommend it for sleepers looking for pressure point relief, people over 250 pounds and anyone who prefers an extra-firm feel.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hawaii's Zeigler-Namoa takes a swing with Baseball Bat Bros.
Fresh off winning two of three games against UC-Santa Barbara, the University of Hawaii baseball team is gearing up for a three-game series against UC-Davis, starting Saturday. The series victory this past weekend marked the program's first over a ranked opponent in 15 years, boosting the Rainbow Warriors' record to 14-5. As the team gains attention for its hot start, a recent visit by the popular Baseball Bat-Bros YouTube series has added to the momentum. Host Will Taylor and first baseman Ben Zeigler-Namoa teamed up for a 2026 DeMarini Omega bat review at Les Murakami Stadium, which has garnered more than 300,000 views on YouTube. Zeigler-Namoa, a Lahaina native, relished the opportunity to showcase Hawaii baseball to a larger audience. 'This is one of the most underrated atmospheres in the country. And to have him here to showcase it, I think you could just tell by the traction that those videos were getting. How cool this place is. People are like, 'Wow, this place is amazing.' It was fun to showcase. The game has become so statistical, and now, with the internet and social media, reviews are a thing. It's just an awesome experience, and I'm happy we could help kids see this place. We had kids asking, 'How do I get here?' It's just a great feeling.' On the season, Zeigler-Namoa has started all 19 games for UH. He's hitting .319 with five doubles, one home run, 14 RBIs, 14 walks, and 14 runs scored. When asked if a future in bat reviews might be in the cards, Zeigler-Namoa was humble about his future but focused on his unquestioned plan to keep his cleats dug into Hawaiian soil. 'If Will wants me once in a while, sure. But I think this is my home, and I just want to stay in this community forever.' It should be noted that the bat review at Murakami Stadium was not Zeigler-Namoa's first appearance with the Bat-Bros. He was previously featured in a review during his time at Yavapai College. For a link to watch both videos, click here for the segment at Les Murakami Stadium. Click here, for the 2022 episode at Yavapai College. The Rainbow Warriors are back on the field Saturday night against UC-Davis. The game is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at Les Murakami Stadium and will be televised on Spectrum Sports. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
