Netflix’s Love is Blind is better reality TV dating than The Bachelor. After all, the show focuses more on forming a lasting love bond than it does on the physical connection that viewers have come to associate with The Bachelor franchise.
The premise of Love is Blind takes singles who desire a true and lasting connection to step into private confessionals or “pods.” These comfy living rooms have paper-thin walls which allow a singles to anonymously speak without seeing each other’s faces. While in the pods, the courting pair is encouraged to talk and ask the tough questions about their views on family, love, sex and more. If and when love forms, the couples will get engaged, then meet face-to-face for the first time. From there, they are whisked away to a romantic resort where they will then be permitted to engage in a more physical connection.
Love is Blind executive producer and creator Chris Coelen from Kinetic Content recently spoke with Variety about the show and its participants’ eagerness to dive into the unusual process:
On the other hand, The Bachelor’s dating formula leaves much to be desired. From the moment each hopeful appears before the object of their affections, the proverbial clock ticks. They have to resort to various stunts to even get noticed. From there, they must endure silly games and constant interruptions just to get a pittance of one-on-one time with the man or woman they are courting. This hardly fosters real romance, and leaves Bachelor Nation to root for suitors based on popularity and likability, rather than compatibility.
“They were there pretty much 24-7. It’s funny because we would encourage them to take [breaks], “You gotta eat! You gotta get some sleep!” But they didn’t want to, they wanted to stay in those pods. Even so far as to want to sleep in those pods, they wanted to stay in those pods as much as possible. The more they got in there, the more they have these conversations! Deep conversations that they never had with family members or friends or people they’ve dated. They wanted to be there and talk to these people as much as they possibly could.”
When watching Love Is Blind, the romance instantly feels more genuine than on The Bachelor. While it is fun to read The Bachelor or Bachelorette’s body language when they encounter each of their romantic hopefuls as they step out of that limo for the first time, all the kissing and hookups can get a bit stale. By contrast, listening to people confess their innermost desires, fears and aspirations without judgment is what has people buzzing about Love is Blind. Not only that, but The Bachelor franchise’s spotty marital record is also disappointing, considering the whole reason for all the jet-setting, naked bungee jumping and hot-tubbing is to watch these people find a husband or a wife. On Love is Blind, marriage is built into the rules and the histrionics are nowhere to be found. The Bachelor and The Bachelorette are still prime guilty-pleasure television, but Netflix has now gifted its subscribers a mature and stylish upgrade.
Next: Love Is Blind Proves Netflix Is The Future For Reality TV
The final episode of Love Is Blind will be releasd on Feb. 27.
Source: Variety
