When fans discovered that Love Island Australia 2022 was being pre-recorded, all hell broke loose; however, there was a VERY good reason for the format change.
During an interview with former Big Brother Australia’s Ben Norris for the TV Reload podcast, ITV Studio’s executive producer Alex Mavroidakis revealed it was the only way it could be done.
While talking about the current season — which he says is “one of the best seasons of Love Island across the world” — he admitted that Channel Nine were to blame.
The Real Reason Love Island Australia 2022 Was Pre-Recorded
“[There’s] so much drama, so much funny and of course, it’s all different; it’s pre-recorded,” Alex told Ben.
“Which obviously it had to be because Nine wanted it on at this time of the year. If we filmed in Spain [now], we’d be wearing snow jackets instead of bikinis, so we had to pre-record it.”
Even though the feel of the series has not changed, Alex admitted it was “scary” to pre-record because it was the first time the series had been filmed like this, in any iteration of the show, ever!
“It feels the same; it looks the same. We still shoot an episode a day, and we’ve still edited an episode a day. It’s basically exactly the same. The only thing we had to do was the audience voting.”
According to Alex, “99 per cent of people watch the show on catch-up”, meaning Love Island rates better on a streaming platform — i.e. why it was moved to 9Now.
“Really, hardly anyone voted; let’s be honest about it,” he said of the past seasons.
The Superfan Twist Was Revealed During the November 8 Episode of Love Island Australia 2022
A few months before filming began, ITV put out a social post asking for Superfans, i.e. “Love Island tragics” or “die-hard fans who know everything about the show”, to come forward.
After being chosen, the small group were given access to a feed in the villa, allowing them to participate in audience voting.
“For anyone watching it, it feels exactly the same. The only difference is, we’re screening it now,” he said.
During the November 8 episode of Love Island Australia 2022, we discovered exactly how the superfans impacted the show.
While all dressed in polar bear and penguin costumes, the Islanders were told they already had people “watching” them.
“A select group of the Australian public known as the Love Island Superfans have already been watching you,” bombshell Maddy Gillbanks told her fellow cast.
“In today’s challenge, Poles Apart, you will receive your first taste of what your Superfans think of you.”
“I’m scared,” Jessica Losurdo said…and you should be!
What Did the Love Island Australia 2022 Superfan Challenge Entail?
In the challenge, one couple at a time were asked questions that correlated to the percentage of fans who agreed. The contestants then had to predict how many people they thought would have said yes!
These included: “What percentage of superfans wanted Holly [Oakes-Ferguson] to find love”, how many wanted Jordan Dowsett to “lose the mullet” (an astounding zero per cent) and what number of people thought Callum Hole was a “walking red flag”.
Finally, they were asked whether Phoebe Spiller and Mitch Eliot would become “BF/GF official” (just 26 per cent said “yes”) and if Jessica and the actual walking red flag, Conor Howard, were compatible. Spoiler Alert: They ain’t!
Obviously, it’s not the same as the public vote; however, it’s sort of the best of both worlds, and it really is working for them!
The good news is we will still be able to vote for the winner after three alternate endings were filmed, so all is not lost!
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