Surviving Paradise

There's a chance I'll be in the minority, but I liked it! 👍 If I stopped watching after one or two episodes, I'd feel differently. But a shift happens that makes for an awesome season! I won't go into detail, but I if you're like me and stick with this show until the end, you'll come to love the evolution of the contestants.

As a former producer for reality and game shows, I would be thrilled if I had a season laid out as entertaining and complete as this one. I rooted for people, couldn't stand others, and rolled my eyes more than once 🙄. And when it was over, I was completely satisfied! 😁 It's just a fun ride if you're looking for some escapism reality.

Lefkada is a beautiful island! Unfortunately, we hardly got to see it in that ill-fated TV programme. It could have been shot in a studio, with the camping part outside in the car park. Everything looked extremely cheap, from the house with the cheesy lights to the terrible acting of the contestants. I kept watching, hoping that the challenges would get more interesting. But when the camping group's challenge was to swim across the just 300 feet wide natural lake of Lefkada, a task that would take even the most inexperienced swimmer less than 3 minutes, I gave up. This show is rubbish and I wish I hadn't stuck it out for 5 episodes.

I love reality tv and game shows, but this was bad.

1. There is no true "survival" aspect. The camp is right on the edge of the villa, so close they can hear their music. They are given tarps, sleeping gear, fire, etc. They easily win food within the first day, and there is truly nothing grueling other than not being able to shower. Plus, they are only there for about 10 days, according to one of the confessional segments.

2. The "paradise" aspect is weak. It's literally just living in a nice villa and chef-made meals. There were no extravagant reward trips, no chance to win extra money or prizes, no being waited on hand and foot, no fun parties other than the guests pulling out cheap wine and splashing around in a pool.

3. There is no way to play the game as the rules seem to be made up as the production team went. I love twists in a game, but you have to give the contestants a chance to understand what they are playing.

4. Every relationship in the house seemed incredibly forced. When you watch it, you will know exactly what I mean.

Overall, this was awful. Skip it.

When british TV producers tailor a show in a way they think is suitable for an American audience, the result is offensive to everyone. A group of airheads, most with their faces coverd in a thick layer of make-up, are flown to an exotic paradise to fight survivor-style for their place in a luxurious villa. Except, the exotic paradise is the well loved and very well civilised holiday location Lefkada in Greece. Every piece of "wilderness" on this island can be traversed by a leisurely walk of no more than an hour, and the luxury resort is an ordinary hotel with some added lights. The contestants look and behave like your average Youtube or Instagram influencer - spoiled, loud and obnoxious.

I take my hat off to the camera crew, sound crew and post production team; they really gave it their all to at least give this turd the Netflix polish. Watching this series felt like a chore. This was just filler content for me, something to watch while I wait for Netflix to add something of interest. It was an interesting concept in the beginning but eaely on the wheels just come off. I couldn't really relate to any of the characters; the one or two characters I found a little bit interesting or wanted to see more of got eliminated early. Challenges were a bit boring and then just became a bit too predictable. I am really hoping that if they make a season two, they make improvements.