By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
September 4, 2003
One viewer’s impressions of the desires and deceptions this week on Fox’s island of seduction.
‘Temptation Island 3″ promises: No games. No millionaires. No prizes.
No kidding.
Let’s face it: Shows like this are all about games. The pawns are willing participants who trade a little bit of their dignity for a free vacation to a tropical island where they’re televised flirting and often making out with 14 hot members of the opposite sex.
The puppetmasters are the producers who orchestrate the drama. Get the couples to vote off the men and women they think their significant others are most likely to fall for and you can almost feel their sense of relief. Then–surprise! The hotties are back. And guess what? They’re going to retaliate by being the first ones to date your partners.
Among the four couples are Chicagoans Anthony and Stephanie, who met three years ago at a suburban club. They’ve been living together for six months and are still getting used to each other’s quirks. Anthony, for one, would like Stephanie to learn how to iron her clothes. But gorgeous Stephanie doesn’t look like the type of woman who wears clothes classy enough to need ironing.
Of the four women in committed relationships, Stephanie is the most popular. Six of the 14 single men said they were most attracted to her. It’s the kind of popularity contest that’s a mixed blessing. Having other people validate your girlfriend’s beauty is an ego booster. Worrying about them swooping in on her is another story.
It works the other way as well. Las Vegas Jason is clearly upset only one man found his girlfriend Kara to be the most desirable. He takes his frustration out on cocky Jeff. The two don’t like each other, and Jason was only too happy to give him the boot. When Jeff returned at the end of the episode to be Kara’s first date, I was surprised Jason didn’t give him an ass-whupping. At this point, it was less about Kara than about how the men could torture each other.
Clearly, Jeff wasn’t thinking about Kara’s feelings when he said, “I pick girls that are intelligent and she can’t be intelligent. She’s got a big
monkey as a boyfriend.”
Our boy Anthony, on the other hand, is being dubbed a “player,” and he has the looks and flirty personality to pull that off. But he won a place in female viewers’ hearts when parting with Stephanie brought him to tears.
“When I saw Anthony had started to cry, I started to get mad because this was [his] choice,” says the ever-pragmatic Stephanie.
The girl does have a point.
On tonight’s episode, we’ll see what happens on the first dates. Anthony appears to have his eye on three Stephanie look-alikes: Ashley, Ida and Kaileen.
Biggest liar: Long Island Mike, who says of Melissa, “I love her so much. I’d rather see her happy with someone than unhappy with me.”
Hottest tempter: 21-year-old blond male model Derrick. The TV gods were with me when his ejection proved to be just a ploy.
Hottest temptress: Bodacious Tiffany, 23, who looks like Ali Landry’s cuter sister.
Why Anthony should worry about Stephanie: Because she believes having a lot of broken hearts gives you more life experiences.
Why Stephanie should worry about Anthony: Because he’s really, really cute.
Tales of the tapes: massages, misery and too much mayo
By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
September 11, 2003
One viewer’s impressions of the desires and deceptions this week on Fox’s island of seduction.
Forget about Freddy vs. Jason. It’s all about Jason vs. Jeff on “Temptation Island 3.”
Last week, all the couples went on their first dates with the singles who were invited to the island to tempt them into straying. Everyone seemed to have a nice time. Except Jason.
The Las Vegas lug was sent for a day out in nature with the lovely Amy, but he wasn’t enjoying any of it — not the company, the hike or even the drinking water, which he complained smelled fishy. And talk about high maintenance: Jason hit the roof when his sandwich arrived with mayonnaise on it. He’s not very go-with-the-flow.
Contrast that to his girlfriend’s date with Jeff, who enjoyed giving Kara a rubdown on the sailboat and was rewarded with some hugs and kisses back in her room.
When Jeff says, “I truly think Kara will end the show as a single,” the audience sees no reason to disagree with him.
It’s one thing for us to watch all this and wonder, What are you people thinking? But in “Temptation Island’s” cruel yet highly entertaining way, the men and women get a chance to watch their partners’ dates on tape. If you choose to see your significant other’s dates, then your partner will see yours, too.
Everyone wanted to see the tapes except for Kristin and Eric. As Eric says, “I don’t want her to react to what I’m doing. [And] I don’t want to act out of jealousy.”
Which is what’s likely to happen on tonight’s episode. While the women reacted to the date tapes with pain and worry, the guys became downright angry.
Seeing his girl Stephanie riding on hottie Derrick’s shoulders in a pool-party chicken fight, Chicagoan Anthony initially was driven nearly to tears. “The Stephanie I know isn’t open like that,” he said, obviously wounded.
Later, he fumed as he imagined what else went on during her date. The whole thing made him sick to his stomach, he said.
“I don’t like Derrick,” he said.
Though Anthony was upset enough at first that he didn’t want to view tapes of the other guys’ girlfriends on their dates, curiosity got the better of him. He perked up considerably while Michael watched his girlfriend, Melissa, get a massage so sensual that her upper naughty bits were blurred out for television.
And as for Jason, he had just one word to say about Kara’s date with Jeff: “Bitch!”
Them’s fighting words, Jason. I suspect he’ll be a little more amenable to his date tonight — but just as whiny.
Staying strong as loved one fawns over another
By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
September 18, 2003
One viewer’s impressions of the desires and deceptions this week on Fox’s island of seduction.
Revenge dating was on everyone’s mind last week on “Temptation Island 3.” After a nice lunch on the beach with Ida — a dead ringer for his girlfriend, Stephanie — Chicago sales manager Anthony revealed, “There is chemistry. This is one of the nicest dates I’ve ever been on.” You’re not sure if he was just being polite for the sake of his date or whether he’s intentionally saying it ’cause he knows Stephanie will be hurt when she sees it on tape later. I suppose there’s also the possibility he actually meant it.
Stephanie tried to keep a stiff upper lip when she viewed the tape. “He was just talking with her and getting to know her. He’s experiencing what we came to experience.”
But later, it’s obvious his “nicest date” comment irked her.
On tonight’s episode, they’re both going to get back at each other. Anthony goes on a date with a woman he describes as having the perfect body, face and everything. Funny, but that’s exactly what he said about Stephanie on the season premiere.
And Stephanie is going for the double whammy of annoying her boyfriend and Kara by asking out Jeff — who until now primarily was Kara’s boy toy.
It serves Kara right. After seeing her boyfriend, Jason, finally loosen up and enjoy a relatively innocent date, she decides she may want to break up with him.
Hopefully this won’t enrage Jason, because he’s finally coming across as something more than a jealous caricature. Without his neck muscles bulging and the permanent scowl on his face, he proved to be, well, hot! Instead of whining like he did with Amy, he was absolutely charming while hanging out in the pool with Erryn.
Best theory that the other women ignored: “I’m perfectly confident that the people that cause drama are the first to go.” But nobody listened toKristin and instigators Jerome and Jeff stayed on the island..
The least likely threat to Anthony: Giulio. Stephanie says of him, “I feel like he’s a big brother.” Ouch.
Biggest lie: “He looked like he was having a good time, so that’s good.” Kara, after seeing Jason’s date with Erryn.
Why the show needs a spell checker: A morality check is out of the question, but the least the producers can do is use a spell check. The captions scrolling on the screen spelled “ment” instead of “meant.”
‘An instant connection’–but girlfriend keeps plugging
By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
September 25, 2003
One viewer’s impressions of the desires and deceptions this week on Fox’s island of seduction.
On last week’s episode of “Temptation Island 3,” Chicago’s Anthony explained his attraction to Ashley this way: “There was an instant connection. I couldn’t help it.”
What he couldn’t help was lying next to her in a hammock, stroking her hair and possibly kissing her as they hid their faces behind a pillow.
“[Ashley has] pretty eyes, pretty smile. I like her a lot.”
Watching this on tape later, his girlfriend Stephanie tried to keep a positive outlook. “She seems sweet,” she said. “He likes nice girls. He looks happy. He was smiling in the hammock.”
Grimacing, she admitted, “It is tough to see.”
Though Stephanie went on a date with Jeff, much to Kara’s chagrin, she spent most of her free time with hottie Derrick. Watching a tape of the two of them hanging out, Anthony was obviously jealous, but he dealt with it by putting the blond model down.
“He’s nothing,” Anthony said. “Maybe he actually has something to say. Maybe he is deep.”
Then he laughed, probably ’cause Ashley is such a deep thinker. Yeah, that must be it.
Kristin’s three pals looked annoyed when she said that at least her boyfriend didn’t do anything as bad as the other guys. You know they’re just hoping he sleeps with someone now to do her in.
As it was, there was no love lost between Stephanie and Kara. After Kristin did an “oh, no she didn’t” move by asking out Derrick — when she knew he and Stephanie were tight — Stephanie asked out Jeff, whom Kara had already sunk her teeth into.
Bad news for Kara: Jeff likes Stephanie better. “When I’m talking to her,” he said, “it’s like I’m talking to myself.”
Bad news for Kristin: Derrick likes Stephanie better, too. He said he wouldn’t go out with the dizzy blond again.
Melissa had a minor breakdown watching her boyfriend Michael grope Tiffany yet again. I can see why the immature lug still lives at home with his parents. Too bad they hadn’t taught Michael some better manners.
On tonight’s episode, he talks dirty to Tiffany. And host Mark Walberg will make sure Melissa gets to hear all his overtures.
Stroking hair — and egos — as show winds down
By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
September 29, 2003
One viewer’s impressions of the desires and deceptions this week on Fox’s island of seduction.
Watching a videotape of her boyfriend Anthony gently stroking another woman’s hair as they lie next to each other on a hammock, Chicago hairstylist/model Stephanie shed a tear.
When the host of “Temptation Island 3” asked if she was going to be OK, Stephanie answered, “I’m always gonna be all right.”
And we believe her. Because no matter what Anthony may be doing on the other side of the island with any of the single women, Stephanie is her own person. And she’s the gal the single guys are most fighting over.
Her connection with Jeff caused Derrick to request to go home early from the show. And much to my chagrin, the women agreed to let him leave.
“I don’t want to look like I’m clinging,” Derrick said. “I don’t like being messed in my head.”
Stephanie, who had previously spent most of her time with Derrick, admitted she was confused about Jeff.
“Everything changed after Jeff,” she said. “Jeff is very nice, sincere … but overwhelming.” Sighing, she added, “I want to go home.”
I’m not sure exactly what kind of power Jeff wields over these women. Sure, he’s nice enough looking in a smarmy way. But he’s no Derrick. And now, thanks to Jeff, there’s no more Derrick sightings to be had, which is unfortunate because he was the only reason I even wanted to tune in anymore. The series has gotten increasingly melodramatic and long-winded. Last week’s 2-hour episode dragged on and seemed twice as long. Hopefully tonight’s 2-hour season finale will be worth the wait.
Meanwhile, Anthony obviously has a crush on Ashley. He said he feels about her the way he felt about Stephanie when they first met. Um, dude — that’s called the thrill of the chase.
Watching Stephanie on her date with single Michael, Anthony said, “It’s flirting. …I’m flirting also. But the thing is when I do go home, it’s Stephanie I’ll take home.”
I’m not so sure about that. Obviously bothered by the hammock scene, Stephanie admitted, “That to me is so much more intimate than someone making out.”
Speaking of making out, Melissa got an eyeful of her boyfriend, Michael, putting the not-so-subtle moves on Tiffany.
“He’s got a lot of dirty things to say when no one’s listening,” Tiffany says, apparently not aware she’s listening and passively encouraging his dirty talk.
I know I said in an earlier column that Tiffany was gorgeous. I take it back. The more she talks, the uglier she gets. Right now, she looks downright horseyfaced. Either she is an evil little witch who revels in others’ misery or the show’s editors have cut her segments to make her appear that way.
When Sandra breaks out into tears after Jason accuses her of spreading rumors about him, Tiffany all but giggles at her misery.
And so much for sisterhood. The girls afterward said they felt bad for her, but not one of them came to her defense as Jason chewed her out.
Most melodramatic outburst: “I’m scared to death she’s going to come into my room and strangle me.” Kristin, after fighting with Melissa.
Most telling comment: “All you have to do all day long is think about what you’re doing.” Stephanie, pondering the Anthony-Jeff-Derrick situation.
Most shocking observation: “I’ve never heard him talk that way. I don’t understand what he’s thinking. He doesn’t even curse around me.” Melissa, after hearing Michael talk dirty to Tiffany.
Only one castaway couple leaves island with relationship intact
By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
October 1, 2003
One viewer’s impressions of the desires and deceptions this week on Fox’s island of seduction.
If there’s a lesson to be learned from “Temptation Island 3,” it’s that tempting fate is never a great idea.
And so it was that on their final night in paradise, only one of the four couples remained intact. Not surprisingly, the blond and bland Stepford pair
of Eric and Kristin went home together as blithely happy as when they arrived.
The same can’t be said for Chicago’s Anthony and Stephanie, who on Monday’s finale had a tearful breakup on national television.
Trying to sort out her feelings for Anthony after viewing a tape of him enjoying tender moments with Ashley, Stephanie said, “That was one of the
hardest things I’ve had to see. It took me back to when me and Anthony first fell in love.”
Though Ashley let the world know she was falling in love with Anthony, the object of her affection wasn’t so sure.
“Ashley’s a great girl,” he said. “But then again, how can you compare three years to one week? I kind of just want to see Steph.”
When they reunited at the bonfire two weeks after arriving on Temptation Island, they didn’t hug or look particularly happy to see each other. Wiping away tears, Stephanie said, “The biggest turning point was … thinking that you haven’t touched my hair like that in a long time. You looked so happy and peaceful. And as sad as it made me, it made me happy to see you so happy. All I want is for you to be happy and I don’t know if I make you happy.”
OK, that sounds like a selfless thing to say, but I don’t buy it. And neither did Anthony.
“I want you to be happy with whoever you’re with,” he said. “I was hoping you’d see me and just be happy. I love you so much. If it’s me, tell me. Remember, we’re soul mates. Just be honest to yourself.”
It wasn’t him. The old “it’s not you, it’s me” spiel was her out. And guess who she chose to be with instead of Anthony? Not hottie Derrick. Not sweet Ian. Not even one of the two Ryans. No, dear God, she chose smug and smarmy Jeff! Not only that, but Stephanie actually packed her bags and moved to Los Angeles to live with him.
All Anthony could do was make plans to visit Ashley, then drag his broken heart back to Chicago.
I’m not sure if “Temptation Island” can count as scientific research, but I found it interesting that the women were the ones to initiate the breakups.
Melissa rightfully kicked Michael to the curb after seeing him nuzzle up to one too many women during their vacation away from each other. Kara did the same to Jason, but I’m guessing his temper worried her more than the possibility of him straying. And to be fair, the two rekindled their romance once they got back home to Las Vegas.
The lesson I learned from this show is that if you need to test the strength of your relationship by dangling hot singles in front of your other half, you probably should just break up. Fast.
