Four couples are sent to a fantastic ilsand to encouter 26 drop dead good looking singles who try to tempt them. Why would they go? To break up on national tv? It would seem logical only if they were contemplating a breakup already. This makes Survivor pretty tame by comparison. By the way, the Crossfire piece does not reflect my views. I posted it solely to stir up discussion and controversy.

My question exactly - why put yourself through that agony? I was alerted to the program by a man I know there on that private island resort where it was filmed. It is more fantastic than you can imagine, and he was in it - though I am still wondering which part - or on the cutting room floor...

For the lowdown on the resort at which it was really filmed: http://www.aprivateisland.com/

Even better: http://www.belizereport.com/lodging/espanto/

http://www.global-travel.co.uk/espanto.htm

What a place! I already asked if you had visited here back on the porch.

Do check out the urls I posted for that place - luxurious and totally private. It is nirvana for those lucky enough to visit there. Not all those ugly thatched houses - much nicer than that. They also provide services such as the resident genius making ship-purchasing runs to Miami - millions involved at times. The staff is as interesting as the visitors if not moreso.

(what happened to the horizontal dividers??!!) Btw, that place was pretty much levelled by the last hurricane. All back good as new and purring along with great efficiency, tact and all the amenities one would expect from a place of that calibre.

So what would it cost to go there for a week, high end and low end?

One site mentioned package deals but most visitors stay a week minimum... Minus gratuities??? or plus???? Not sure you want to think about it at an average of $1000/person /day including your own private butler and chef who has won more blue ribbons than Citation cooking whatever you desire fresh and served privately in your own suite. You do the math. "If you have to ask you cannot afford it" an ancestor of my friend once said...or someone did... What does a woman do with her own private butler?!

Well it's pretty pricey it sounds like. How big is "Temptation Island" and what is the population? Just a few cooks and butlers?

Have any of you seen this show (can't remember the name) where couples who are contemplating a break up go out on a date with someone the show selects and then the four meet back to report on it? Then at the end they decide whether or not they want to stay together (either out of jealousy or having a bad date, not because they really have come to appreciate anything redeeming about their partner). It's kind of like "Love Connection" run amok. Anyway, my point is that "Temptation Island" sounds like the next step in the progression after that show (and yes, it is on Fox).

sounds like this one, Autumn... My ex looked up the rates http://www.aprivateisland.com/rates.html Number of cabanas = 5 Max. number of guests on island = 14 All cabanas are sea front and on the beach All cabanas have private pools Meals and drinks (excluding wine and Champagne) are included in the above rates Meals are served in cabanas for private dining or on the various docks or in our dining palapa A varied cuisine is available. We can meet the need of most special diets and requests. Rates do not include a 18.5% Belize Government Tax and Service Charge. Deposit Policy Upon confirmation of reservation, a 50% deposit is required within 5 days to hold reservation and is to be paid with personal check, bank check or money order. If a reservation is made within 90 days, Cayo Espanto may request that deposit be sent via overnight mail. Full payment is due 90 days prior to date of reservation (excluding high season which requires full payment 120 days prior to reservation date) If reservation is made within 90 days of reservation date, please make full payment at time of reservation. Cancellation Policy A full refund (less a 10% administrative fee)will be given if reservation is cancelled more than 90 days prior to reservation date excluding high season which requires 120 days. If reservation is cancelled less than 90 days but more than 45 days prior to reservation date, a 50% refund will be given (excluding high season which will result in a 50% refund if between 120 and 90 days prior). If a reservation is cancelled less than 46 days prior to reservation date, no refund will be given (excluding high season which requires 91 days notice) Cayo Espanto strongly suggests buying travel insurance. All Prices are in U.S. Funds. Prices do not include an 18.5% Government Tax. All Rates, Prices, or Promotions subject to change without notice. (Or until a Deposit has been confirmed) For more details please contact by mail. * The extra set of couples staying in the Dockhouse will incur an add'l $80.00 food charge per person, per day.

The staff is about 5 per one guest... as I recall. Will have to check back though the communications to see for certain.

Somehow, autumn, I'm not surprised it's on Fox. It would be more fun and less imtimidating if they just threw 14 single guys and 14 single women on the island and let them mix it up. That would be just as interesting and not threatening to some couples.

Exactly my thought - why put youself through something like that!!!

This is show is lame, it's based on getting people to cheat, and it's awful. But it's fun to talk about and use as a departure point for what reality shows could be if they tried. And, hey, it might act as an aphrodaisiac for some and help them improve their sex lives (as in the show's viewers). Should this topic be linked to the babes conference? I will watch this show next week and for the 4 episodes after that most likely, because it's fun to talk about and I like seeing the island and all the cute women. And we can use it as a talking point.

Salon wrote a piece on temptation island, one great quote: In the good old days nobles and gentlemen settled disputes about women with glove-slaps to the face and duels, addressing each other as "Sir" all the while. The 21st century reality-TV version of this process involves the manager of an Athlete's Foot shop dropping a Deadhead bracelet in front of a masseur on a Caribbean beach in an attempt to stop him from having on-camera monkey sex with his girlfriend.

The Salon piece is good, with some cool pix. http://www.salon.com/ent/tv/temptation/2001/01/11/island1/index.html

And another quote from that piece: Of the boys, only Billy is different. Billy is afraid that Mandy will find someone else and he'll be left alone and "just as in love with her as I am now." We love Billy. We are rooting for Billy. Billy is screwed. "Billy has never given me indication of going astray," says Mandy, wrinkling her nose, "and I think I kind of need it." Suddenly, a boatload of fantasy singles arrives! "Boys! Oh, yay!" squeals Mandy, as Valerie's expression turns sour and Shannon visibly panics. Billy is patient and easy-going. Billy is screwed.

From local tv critic Diane Holloway: "Embarrassed or not, Fox is proceeding with plans for another "nonscripted" program, "Love Cruise," in which a boatload of beautiful people will flirt and possibly consummate their flirtations." "Temptation Island," airing Wednesdays on Fox, is one of three recent additions to the burgeoning reality genre. ABC's "The Mole," on Tuesdays, sends a group of contestants, including a mystery saboteur, around the world to complete a series of tasks. And the WB on Friday trotted out "Popstars," about the formation of a "girl band." So far, the rush to reality is paying off for its purveyors. "The Mole" finished second behind CBS's "JAG" and ahead of NBC's "Frasier" in the national Nielsen ratings. "Temptation Island" beat everything except NBC's "The West Wing." And in Dallas, the Fox show was No. 1. Of course, those numbers could build or drop in weeks to come, depending on first impressions and subsequent interest.

Poor Billy!

Tonight's the night. Another episode. Let the cheating begin! The number one tv show. I guess we're just killing time until it starts, ha!

I call Billy and Mandy the power island couple. Every woman wants Billy. Mandy is the hottie, and she's really hot for Billy. They kicked off the Playboy model! They all went on their first "dates" and the fireworks are just starting with next weeks show.

Last episode is starting in two minutes.

It's over and all the couples stayed together. Will they run this again? Probably.

Another of this sort is being filmed in this island: HOLLYWOOD'S fascination with reality-based television shows has reached Hawaii. The Big Island will be the location for two contrasting reality shows in September and October, in which couples in one show try to rediscover romance, and in the other, singles aim to find love. ABC will shoot the pilot "Last Resort" at Kona Village for a week beginning in mid-September. The program each week will take four couples on the brink of breakup or marriage to engage in a series of challenges and therapy. The syndicated show "Blind Date," entering its third season, will film 10 episodes over a two-week period in October -- five on the Big Island and five on Maui. This show brings singles together on blind dates that involve a variety of activities. more... http://starbulletin.com/2001/08/23/features/story2.html

another thing being filmed here is Kailua-born Pyun to film in 3D on the Big Island Ever wanted to watch 3D films on television without having to wear those funny glasses? Now you can but you're going to need a high-definition television. Kailua-Kona based Hawaii Filmwerks will use a 3D system in the action scenes of two, two-hour kick-boxing themed pilots to be filmed on the Big Island next month, that allows viewing of the high-definition or analog images without the aid of special glasses. Although the 3D images cannot be viewed without the high-definition set, the images will not be as blurry as in the past to those with regular TV sets. The company is targeting its 3D technology and its digital broadcast expertise at the global entertainment content market, said Chris Curnan, president and chief executive officer. Hawaii Filmwerks has licensed the first use of the special 3D system to Rigel Entertainment of Los Angeles for use in the six-week production of two "Kickboxer" high- definition television pilots with a combined budget of $3 million. More... http://starbulletin.com/2001/08/23/features/story3.html

I haven't seen the show "Blind Date"; have you seen this Marcia?

You're not missing much--it's an updated version of "Love Connection".

It's totally off the radar screen. I might have a vhs tape buried somewhere. I was so hot on this show too.