The reality dating competition show Too Hot to Handle involves a group of sex-crazed individuals being asked to focus on individual growth and forming connections with each other, all while by abstaining from kissing, sexual acts, and self pleasure during a retreat. If any of these acts are performed, it constitutes a “rule break” and money is then subtracted from the prize fund of $200,000 USD for which they all are competing.
The show is hosted by a conical robot, named Lana, who makes announcements to the cast, including the rule breaks, dates, and workshops. Desiree Burch acts as narrator. The anticipated fourth season of Too Hot To Handle was released on Netflix on Dec. 7 and 14, ready for binge-watching, and the question must be asked: does it still hold up?
One of my favourite aspects of the show are the rule breaks. Even with money on the line, will individuals abstain? I love seeing how much is lost and who ends up caving in. How the cast reacts when Lana announces reductions to the prize fund can be priceless, and is often reminiscent of the shocked Pikachu face meme. It adds a bit of drama and entertainment.
The casting this season was okay, but it seemed like there was more producer interference and less authenticity than previous seasons. In the first episode when it was revealed that they were on Too Hot To Handle, it felt obvious that everyone knew what show they were actually on. Also, the situations were a bit too planned. For example, newcomers were the normal “type” of individuals in relationships, and could go on dates with them to see if they connected — or fell for a trap. It is great for drama, but questionable for whether it is actually useful.
After watching all four seasons upon their respective releases, the workshops offered on the retreat can be hit-or-miss. Usually, whether or not they are useful depends on what contestants put into them; they can reveal more about the individual’s lives, desires, and issues that they have had in developing relationships. That being said, the workshops delivered this season have been some of the most awkward, uninteresting, and more questionable that I have seen throughout the show’s run.
In episode 6, the workshop host had the men in the series talking to puppet “yonis.” The host of the workshop complained that they were not taking the workshop seriously at first, but watching it, it was hard to take it seriously as a viewer. How is this really going to help build relationships? When drifting away from the puppets and beginning to take it seriously, the majority of guys actually reflected on it. However, the lesson was that they should respect the “yoni” because they came from it, versus having respect for the person. Whether or not it was intentional, it felt sexist. Why did they decide to include it?
The sexism continued in the later workshops. In episode 8, a workshop held for the women tried to spew the information that “men’s DNA stays in you for 50 years.” First, where did the “information” (it was stated as a fact), come from? Second, it felt as though they were being shamed for having had multiple partners. Third, it focused on sex versus developing connections and meaningful relationships — the supposed purpose of the retreat.
Similar to other dating shows I have seen, there is the question of who deserves the prize fund. At the end of the fourth season, the contestants voted on who they believe should win the remaining cash prize. I wish that the producers would revert back to season one where every contestant split the prize pot evenly — or follow Too Hot To Handle: Latino in having Lana allocate specific amounts to each remaining contestant, depending on their growth. It would make it more interesting, and less biased towards who ended up being in a relationship at the end of the season.
After watching the fourth season, Too Hot To Handle felt lackluster compared to previous seasons and the international adaptations. If it was not for the glimpses of drama, like having new individuals enter throughout the season or the rule breaks, it would not have kept my attention. I felt like I watched it out of obligation instead of genuine interest in the growth of the individuals. I did not feel a need to see which couples were still together like I did previously. The fifth season has already been confirmed by Netflix, but I hope modifications are planned on the cast, workshops, and the prize pot to make it more interesting to follow.
