Temptation Island (TV series)

Temptation Island is an American reality television series originally broadcast by the Fox Broadcasting Company (Fox). The series premiered on January 10, 2001, and it concluded with its third season on September 29, 2003. Temptation Island depicted four unmarried couples who traveled to a tropical island to have their fidelity tested. The couples were separated from one another for two weeks, in which they were required to commingle with a group of single members of the opposite sex whose purpose was to persuade the couples to have an affair. The series drew intense backlash due to its controversial premise; however, it averaged high ratings over the course of its first season. The series was hosted by American television presenter Mark L. Walberg.

Temptation Island
GenreReality television
Presented byMark L. Walberg
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons8
No. of episodes88
Production
Executive producers
  • Jean-Michel Michenaud (seasons 1–3)
  • Chris Cowan (seasons 1–3)
  • David Goldberg
  • David Friedman
Production locations
Running time42 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network
ReleaseJanuary 10, 2001 (2001-01-10) –
present

In 2018, USA Network (USA) announced that it planned to revive Temptation Island. The first season of this revival premiered on January 15, 2019. In 2024, the series moved from USA to Netflix.

Production edit

The first season of the show was filmed on Ambergris Caye in Belize. Season 1 premiered on January 10, 2001, and aired its finale on February 28, 2001. The debut episode drew 16 million viewers.[1] The show attracted controversy from the outset,[2][3] which Fox hoped would drive ratings. Four male contestants lived in one section with a dozen female models, and the four female contestants lived in another section with a dozen attractive men. The initial couples were Kaya Wittenburg and Valerie Penso, Mandy Lauderdale and Billy Cleary, Ytossie Patterson and Taheed Watson, and Andy Lukei and Shannon Roghair. Patterson and Watson were removed from the show when the producers learned that the pair had children together. The remaining three couples continued.

Season 2 premiered on October 31, 2001, and delivered poor ratings.[4] After a nearly two-year layoff, a third edition of the series premiered on August 28, 2003. Like Season 2, Season 3 also delivered poor ratings.[5]

Mark L. Walberg hosted all three editions. Reruns once aired on Hulu, but are no longer available there.

A revamped version of the show, once again hosted by Walberg,[6] premiered on the USA Network on January 15, 2019.[7] USA Network announced the show was renewed for a fifth season on February 26, 2019.[8] On August 22, 2019, it was announced that the fifth season would premiere on October 10, 2019.[9][10]

On January 28, 2021, it was announced that the sixth season would premiere on February 16, 2021.[11][12]

On January 26, 2024, it was reported that the series would be moving from USA Network to Netflix.[13]

Episodes edit

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
18January 10, 2001 (2001-01-10)February 28, 2001 (2001-02-28)
212October 31, 2001 (2001-10-31)February 14, 2002 (2002-02-14)
38August 28, 2003 (2003-08-28)September 29, 2003 (2003-09-29)
412January 15, 2019 (2019-01-15)March 26, 2019 (2019-03-26)
512October 10, 2019 (2019-10-10)December 19, 2019 (2019-12-19)
612February 16, 2021 (2021-02-16)April 27, 2021 (2021-04-27)
712March 16, 2022 (2022-03-16)May 25, 2022 (2022-05-25)
812June 14, 2023 (2023-06-14)August 23, 2023 (2023-08-23)

Reception edit

Temptation Island received mixed reviews from critics. Michael Speier of Variety negatively compared the series to Survivor, referring to it as "merely a lightweight libido experiment."[14] Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly believed the series to be "creepy-cheesy", in which he assigned it a grade of C-.[15]

Couples edit

Season 1 edit

#CoupleOccupationHometown# Years DatingStatusNotes
1Kaya WittenburgModelMiami Beach, FL1.5 yearsDatingThey left the island together
Valerie PensoReal Estate Agent
2Billy ClearyAspiring ActorAtlanta, GA1.5 yearsSplitThey left the island together but split up before the reunion episode
Mandy LauderdaleAspiring Singer
3Taheed WatsonActorLos Angeles, CA5.5 yearsDatingThey were disqualified from the show when it was revealed they had a child together.
Ytossie PattersonActress
4Andy LukeiOwner of Pacific Coast KayakingMalibu, CA5 yearsMarriedThey got engaged after the final bonfire and were married in a special reunion episode
Shannon RoghairLawyer

Season 2 edit

#CoupleOccupationHometown# Years DatingStatusNotes
1Edmundo CruzWaiterChicago, IL3 yearsSplitThey left the bonfire together but split up soon afterwards
Catherine ChiarelliDancer/Singer
2John DolanBartenderPhoenix, AZ10 monthsDatingThey left the island together
Shannon RutledgeSales
3Tony SchmittSales Account ExecutiveFerndale, MI4.5 yearsEngagedLeft the show after episode 5 and chose to get engaged
Genevieve DeittrickBusiness Owner
4Thomas McGuanFleet Service Clerk / ModelChicago, IL3.5 yearsSplitThey both decided to end the relationship
Nikkole PalmatierBartender
5Mark DetrioPolice OfficerTampa, FL1.4 yearsSplitJoined the show in episode 6
Kelley broke up with Mark and they left the island alone
Kelley SutphinBartender / Student

Season 3 edit

#CoupleOccupationHometown# Years DatingStatusNotes
1Michael PuliceBartender / ModelLong Island, NY2 yearsSplitMelissa broke up with Michael and they left the island alone
Melissa HugginsPromoter / Model
2Erik HebertCatererFarmville, VA3 yearsDatingThey left the island together
Kristin CobbStudent
3AnthonySales ManagerChicago, IL3 yearsSplitThey broke up and left the island alone
Stephanie CantuHairstylist / Model
4JasonMassage TherapistLas Vegas, NV1 yearSplitKara broke up with Jason and they left the island alone
KaraReceptionist

Season 4 edit

#CoupleOccupationHometown# Years DatingStatusNotes
1Javen ButlerSenior Records ClerkSan Francisco, CA8 yearsEngagedThey got engaged on the show.[16]
Shari LigonsRecruiter / Human Resources
2Karl CollinsPara-Professional EducatorChicago, IL2.5 yearsSplitThey broke up on the show, but later got back together.According to Screenrant 2023, they are no longer together.[17][18]
Nicole TutewohlSales Executive
3John ThurmondBusiness OwnerFort Worth, TX3 yearsSplitOn the show, John dated Katheryn and Kady dated Johnny. Both are now single.[19]
Kady KrambeerMarketer
4Evan SmithProfessional TrainerLos Angeles, CA5 yearsSplitEvan is the son of Gavin Smith. On the show, Evan broke up with Kaci to begin a relationship with Morgan Lolar. Evan and Morgan became engaged after the show but they ended the relationship the following year. Morgan and Kaci are now on good terms.[20]
Kaci CampbellBusiness Owner

Season 5 edit

#CoupleOccupationHometown# Years DatingStatusNotes
1Kate GriffithSales ExecutiveHoboken, NJ3 yearsSplitDavid left with Toneata, but the two later split; David and Kate got back together, but later split again.
David BenavidezSales Executive
2Esonica VeiraMiss Universe US Virgin Islands 2017Decatur, GA6 yearsSplitEsonica left with Kareem, but the two later split.
Gavin RockerPrivate Security
3Ashley HowlandDental AssistantDeland, FL1.5 yearsSplitCasey proposed to Ashley who rejected the proposal; Ashley left with Ben, but the two later split.
Casey StarchakOnline Sales
4Ashley GoldsonStore ManagerBoston, MA4 yearsSplitAshley and Rick decided to leave together, but the two later split.
Rick FleurModel

Season 6 edit

#CoupleOccupationHometown# Years DatingStatusNotes
1Chelsea OrcuttMarketing CoordinatorWest Hollywood, CA1 yearDatingChelsea and Tom decided to leave the island together.
Thomas GipsonActor
2Erica WashingtonPersonal AssistantLos Angeles, CA2 yearsSplitErica broke things off with Kendal and left the island alone. Kendal left the island with Alexcys, but Alexcys broke things off shortly after.
Kendal KirklandBusiness Owner
3Erin SmithBehavioral TherapistSan Diego, CA1.5 yearsSplitThe couple left the island together. Erin broke up with Corey at the reunion, and no longer follow each other on social media.
Corey SobczykConcierge Manager
4Kristen RamosPhysical TherapistSewell, NJ11 yearsMarriedKristen and Julian are high school sweethearts. Before they left the island together, Julian proposed and Kristen accepted. They married in July 2022.
Julian AllenPersonal Trainer

Season 7 edit

#CoupleOccupationHometown# Years DatingStatusNotes
1Ashley RodriguezContent ProducerQueens, NY7 yearsSplitInitially Ashley decided to leave with Lascelles, but changed her mind to leave the island alone. Lascelles decided to leave the island with Trace. By the reunion show, Lascelles and Trace were no longer together. Lascelles also made out with Alexa and Meghan at a club after the show finished filming.
Lascelles LagaresRecruiter / Personal Trainer
2Iris JardielEntrepreneurSeattle, WA6 yearsSplitEngaged on the show but later split.
Luke WechselbergerEntrepreneur
3Gillian LiebermanRealtorWest Palm Beach, FL4 yearsSplitThey both decided to end the relationship. Gillian left the island alone and Edgar left the island with Marissa. Marissa and Edgar later split.
Edgar De SantiagoCustomer Experience SpecialistIndianapolis, IN
4Hania StockerGarden DesignerSanta Fe, NM1.5 yearsSplitHania proposed to Ash, but Ash said no. Ash decided to leave the island alone.
Ash LamiroultWriter

Season 8 edit

#CoupleOccupationHometown# Years DatingStatusNotes
1Kaitlin TuftsFitness Studio OwnerCharleston, SC8 yearsSplitHall ended the engagement during episode 8 of the show and chose to leave the island with Makayla while Kaitlin left alone.
Hall ToledanoLeather Sales
2Leonila “Paris” PedroInfluencerNewark, NJ1.8 yearsSplitParis left the island with Tahjjic and Great left the island with Nafeesah but both couples broke up before the reunion
Nzubechukwu “Great” EzihieEngineerNew York, NY
3Marisela FigueroaBartenderAtlanta, GA2 yearsSplitMarisela chose to leave the island single. Christopher decided to leave the island with Alexius, but they broke up after the show
Christopher WellsFitness Instructor
4Vanessa ValenteMilitary ContractorLos Angeles, CA1 yearSplitLeft the island together but had split up by the reunion show
Roberto MalArmy Veteran/Student

International versions edit

CountryNameHostChannelFirst year aired
 ArgentinaConfianza ciegaJuan CastroCanal 92001
 Argentina
 Chile
Temptation IslandTBAAmazon Prime2024
 AustraliaTemptation IslandPeter Colquhoun7 NetworkDecember 21, 2002
2019
 BrazilIlha da SeduçãoBabi XavierSBT2002
2003
Temptation IslandTBAAmazon Prime2024
 BulgariaОстровът на изкушението
Ostrovat na izkushenyeto
Vitomir SaraivanovNova TVNovember 1, 2007 – January 18, 2008
 ChileAmor a PruebaKarla ConstantMegaDecember 1, 2014
 FinlandTemptation Island SuomiSami KuronenNelonen2015–present
 FranceL'Île de la tentationStéphane Bouillaud
Céline Géraud
TF1July 6, 2002 – August 26, 2008
Laurent FontaineVirgin 17April 27, 2010 – June 18, 2010
Julie TatonW9July 2019
Delphine WespiserJanuary 18, 2024
 GermanyTemptation Island – Versuchung im ParadiesAngela Finger-Erben (1-2)
Lola Weippert (3-)
RTLMarch 6, 2019 – present
Temptation Island VIPAngela Finger-Erben (1)
Lola Weippert (2-)
October 18, 2020 – present
 HungaryA KísértésBalázs SebestyénRTL Klub2004
Tibor KaszaTV22024
 IndiaTemptation Island India: Pyaar Ki ParikshaKaran Kundrra
Mouni Roy
JioCinemaNovember 3, 2023 – present
 ItalyVero amore
Temptation Island
Maria De Filippi (2005)
Filippo Bisciglia (2014–2019; 2021; 2023–present)
Alessia Marcuzzi (2020)
Canale 5May 19, 2005 – June 9, 2005
July 3, 2014 – July 27, 2021
June 26, 2023 – present
Temptation Island VIPSimona Ventura (2018)
Alessia Marcuzzi (2019)
September 18, 2018 – October 14, 2019
 MexicoConfianza CiegaSKY2004
Temptation IslandTBAAmazon Prime2024
Netherlands
Belgium (Flanders)
Blind VertrouwenWouter NicolaasV82001
Temptation IslandTine Van den Brande and Ton van RoyenVT4
V8
2002
Tine Van den Brande and Viktor BrandVT4
SBS6
2003–2004
Hans Otten and Tanja JessVT4
Veronica
2005–2006
Véronique De Kock and Co Roworth2007
Annelien Coorevits and Rick BrandstederVIJF
RTL 5
2016–2020
NetherlandsTemptation Island VIPSKaj Gorgels and Yolanthe Sneijder-CabauVideoland2018–2019
Temptation Island: Love or LeaveKaj Gorgels and Monica Geuze2020–2021
 PhilippinesLove In Temptation IslandNoneTV5Supposed airdate was on 2012; Cancelled
 PolandTemptation Island Polska[21]Michał FigurskiPolsatSeptember 6, 2023 – November 22, 2023
 PortugalConfiança CegaFelipa GarnelSIC2001
Ilha da TentaçãoCarlos RibeiroTVI2002
 RomaniaTemptation Island – Insula IubiriiRadu Vâlcan
Iulia Gheorghe
Antena 12015–present
 RussiaОстров Искушений
Ostrov Iskushenij
Vladislav GalkinREN TVOctober 1, 2005 – December 25, 2005
 Sweden
 Norway
 Denmark
Temptation IslandPontus Gårdinger (2002)
Pernille Aalund (2002)
Martin Björk (2003)
Kanal 5
TVNorge
TVDanmark
2002–2003
 SpainConfianza CiegaFrancine GálvezAntena 3January 2002
La Isla de las TentacionesMónica Naranjo (1)
Sandra Barneda (2-)
Telecinco
Cuatro
January 9, 2020 – present
 South AfricaTemptation Island South AfricaPhat JoeShowmaxAugust 26, 2021 – November 25, 2021
 United KingdomTemptation Island UKEd HallSky1September 23, 2001 – March 24, 2002

References edit

  1. ^ "Surrender to Your Desire: Temptation Island Premiere Is Here". E! Online. 2019-01-08. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
  2. ^ Rogers, Daniel (January 11, 2001). "Advertisers embroiled in Temptation Island controversy". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  3. ^ "Fox's Temptation Island Draws Fire". ABC news. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  4. ^ Steve Rogers (2003-02-07). "FOX announces the return of 'Temptation Island 3,' begins casting". Reality TV World. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
  5. ^ Steve Rogers (2003-09-30). "'Temptation Island 3' ends with one couple staying together while three others part ways". Reality TV World. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
  6. ^ "USA Network Will Reboot Temptation Island This January! | Blog". USA Network. 2018-11-13. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
  7. ^ Malone, Michael (December 4, 2018). "'Temptation Island' Starts on USA Jan. 15". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
  8. ^ "'Temptation Island' Renewed For Season 2 On USA". February 27, 2019. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  9. ^ "TVLine Items: Mr. Iglesias Renewed, Supernatural Vet's SEAL Gig and More". TVLine. August 8, 2019.
  10. ^ "TVLine Items: Goliath Season 3 Trailer, Homecoming Stars Return and More". TVLine. August 22, 2019.
  11. ^ "Meet the Singles Ready to Spice Things Up on the Season Premiere of "Temptation Island" Tuesday, February 16 at 10 PM ET/PT on USA Network" (Press release). USA. January 28, 2021 – via The Futon Critic.
  12. ^ Dams, Tim (May 18, 2020). "'Temptation Island' Casts, Crews to Be Quarantined as International Production Gears Up (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  13. ^ White, Peter (January 26, 2024). "'Temptation Island' Moves To Netflix For New Season". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  14. ^ Speier, Michael (January 9, 2001). "Temptation Island". Variety. Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  15. ^ Tucker, Ken (February 9, 2001). "TV Review: 'Temptation Island' and 'The Mole'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 7, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  16. ^ "'Temptation Island': Javen Butler and Shari Ligons Seemingly Break up After Cheating Allegations". Cheat Sheet. Jan 19, 2020. Retrieved Mar 4, 2021.
  17. ^ "Nicole Kay❣️ on Instagram: "Running around the city, feeling blessed 💕🐣 #SundayBest #HappyEaster"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-23. Retrieved Mar 27, 2020.
  18. ^ Swartz, Tracy (January 11, 2019). "Meet the Chicago couple cast on the 'Temptation Island' reboot". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  19. ^ "Temptation Island Status Update". E! Online. March 29, 2019. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  20. ^ Sim, Bernardo (February 5, 2021). "Temptation Island: What Happened To Evan, Kaci & Morgan After Season 1 (2019)". Screen Rant. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  21. ^ "Jaka będzie jesień w Polsacie? Trzy nowe reality-show i nowy serial". www.wirtualnemedia.pl (in Polish). 2023-07-22. Retrieved 2023-07-23.

External links edit