Over the past month or so, the internet has been buzzing over TLC’s newest reality show, “Love At First Kiss.” I never really understood the hype for this show, or what the show was even really about for that matter. All I knew was that the internet loved it in the weirdest way possible. I could not understand if the internet love was ironic or that deep level of irony where the love turns genuine (we all know what I am talking about- take saying “yolo” ironically at first back in the day and then over time, genuinely using it without realizing).
Regardless, I did not understand it. So, last weekend, when a group of friends and I were watching television together, we brought up “Love At First Kiss.” None of us had seen it before, but wanted to know what it was all about. We agreed to watch the first ten minutes, and if we were not about it, we would stop it and continue on with our marathon of “Baggage” reruns.
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Needless to say, we did not return to our “Baggage” reruns that night. The entire group was instantly obsessed with “Love At First Kiss,” falling into a deep vortex, in love with the show’s social experiment-like premise.
Once we saw what exactly the show was about, which ultimately tests to see if kissing a random person in a controlled setting could lead to an actual relationship, we could not help ourselves. It was great. It was awkward, slightly gross, and at times heart-wrenching, but overall made for a fantastic combination for quality television. My friends spent each night last weekend marathon-ing this show, and it was time well spent.
Most notable is Josh, the show’s main character, if there was to be one. The show looks at different potential couples each episode, with only some of the same people returning to try the experiment again, but Josh stole the show the first two episodes. This man had never kissed anyone before and this created for a rollercoaster of emotions for himself and the audience when watching him attempt to kiss at least three women. The internet even made a meme out of Josh when he lightly kissed the side of one woman’s hair on his second attempt.
Although it is funny to watch some people on the show, it is also very easy to grow attached to certain people. Although Josh’s situation can seem funny, my friends and I found ourselves sympathizing with him and feeling bad for him at times. The show seems like a joke, but you can develop different emotions for each person on the screen and either root for the potential couple to get together or scream when one person does not show up to the speed date.
Overall, “Love At First Kiss” makes for quality television, and I finally understand why people love it so much. The initial irony in claiming to love the show turns to genuine appreciation for the different storylines (sometimes, other times not so much). I highly suggest that everyone gathers a group and at least tries watching “Love At First Kiss” together- it is a surprisingly fun time for all.
