Dating shows like Married At First Sight, Love Island and The Bachelor may be going to extreme measures to ensure the safety of their contestants in order to resume filming this year, in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic.
This week, Variety revealed the extensive effort being made on the set of international and American installments of reality show Temptation Island – and a similar plan of defense could apply to Australian programs.
Variety reveals that the cast and crew of the Spanish version of Temptation Island will be tested for COVID-19, ‘and quarantined for two weeks before production starts in the Dominican Republic.’
Soon? Dating shows like Married At First Sight, Love Island and The Bachelor may be adhering to strict measures to ensure the safety of their contestants in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic, in order to resume filming this year. Pictured the cast of Love Island Australia
Testing will continue routinely throughout the show’s production, disinfection of work spaces ramped up and a ‘dedicated health supervisor’ will be on set.
The German production of Temptation Island will go even further, with ‘plexiglass walls in vehicles and control room, daily fever measurements twice a day as well as tests in case of suspected cases,’ Variety reported.
The crew will use masks and gloves, work spaces will be disinfected and will ‘work in clusters’ to limit the risk of infection.
New measures: This week, Variety revealed the extensive effort being made on the set of international and American installments of reality show Temptation Island – and a similar plan of defense could apply to similar Australian programs. Pictured: Temptation Island USA
Careful: The German production of Temptation Island will use, ‘plexiglass walls in vehicles and control room, daily fever measurements twice a day,’ Variety reported. Contestants on the Spanish version will be ‘quarantined for two weeks before production starts’
Similar measures could be employed on the set of Australian reality dating shows -which currently face an unclear future.
Filming of the eighth season of The Bachelor Australia starring Locklan ‘Locky’ Gilbert was suspended in late March.
In April, franchise’s longtime host, Osher Günsberg, shared the news all fans have been dreading: the show is unlikely to resume filming anytime soon.
Waiting: Production on Love Island Australia will likely not start until next year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Pictured: Contestants Jessie Wynter and Todd Elton
No love: ‘The ongoing health crisis has meant Love Island Australia is unable to go into production this year,’ Nine told TV Tonight. Pictured: Cartier Surjan and Adam Farrugia
He said on the Shameless podcast: ‘We are on hiatus. I don’t know what’s going to happen… and I don’t think they [the producers] do either.’
Despite taking ‘extra precautions’ during the coronavirus pandemic, Channel 10 and Warner Bros. decided to halt production with immediate effect.
The network came to the decision after considering all other available options, and said they planned to resume filming as soon as it was deemed safe.
On hold: Filming of the eighth season of The Bachelor Australia starring Locklan ‘Locky’ Gilbert (pictured) was suspended in late March
![Waiting: Host Osher Gunsberg (pictured) said: 'We are on hiatus. I don't know what's going to happen... and I don't think they [the producers] do either'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/22/15/27773220-8348307-Uncertain_future_Osher_said_on_the_Shameless_podcast_on_Thursday-a-3_1590159087360.jpg)
Waiting: Host Osher Gunsberg (pictured) said: ‘We are on hiatus. I don’t know what’s going to happen… and I don’t think they [the producers] do either’
Love Island Australia will be returning for a third season, but it’s unclear when or on which network.
While the Channel Nine series suffered low ratings last year, its huge online presence has gained interest from the network’s biggest rival.
Nine had been keeping the final verdict for the dating reality show ‘up in the air’ for months, but TV Tonight has reported Channel Seven wants to pull the rug out from under them and buy the rights to the popular dating series.
Bigger names? Meanwhile, Married At First Sight producers are said to be looking at casting celebrities and former contestants in a bid to boost ratings next year. Pictured: Contestants Stacey Hampton and Michael Goonan
Big names: The network was said to be considering a ‘re-brand’ for 2021 inspired by Australian Survivor’s latest season, tentatively calling the new series MAFS: All-Stars. Pictured: Contestants Amanda Micallef and Tash Herz
The publication reported earlier this month that Seven wants to swoop in and snatch up rights to Love Island Australia, as well as the UK version of the series.
However, production would likely not start until next year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
‘The ongoing health crisis has meant Love Island Australia is unable to go into production this year,’ Nine told TV Tonight.
The spokesperson added: ‘We continue to work through where, when and how the next season of the show can be filmed in 2021. We will make further announcements when those plans are confirmed.’
Maybe? One of the show’s relationship experts, Mel Schilling (pictured) thinks it could be a fun experiment but doesn’t believe there is any truth to the rumours that celebrities will take part
Coming soon: Casting for Married At First Sight’s eighth season is under way in Sydney, but it’s believed production has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Pictured: Contestants Hayley Vernon and David Cannon
Meanwhile, Married At First Sight producers are said to be looking at casting celebrities and former contestants in a bid to boost ratings next year.
One of the show’s relationship experts, Mel Schilling, thinks it could be a fun experiment but doesn’t believe there is any truth to the rumours.
She told Daily Mail Australia: ‘I’ve heard nothing on that part from what I’ve read in the press. So I suspect it’s a rumour. I don’t know if there’s any truth to that at all.’
It comes after NW magazine reported that producers were looking at bringing back past participants, including the likes of Nasser Sultan and Tracey Jewel.
Waiting: MAFS is typically filmed between late August and December, but the 2021 season will most likely begin filming in December and conclude in March. Pictured: Contestants Aleks Markovic and Ivan Sarakula
The network was said to be considering a ‘re-brand’ for 2021 inspired by Australian Survivor’s latest season, tentatively calling the new series MAFS: All-Stars.
Casting for Married At First Sight’s eighth season is under way in Sydney, but it’s believed production has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
MAFS is typically filmed between late August and December, but the 2021 season will most likely begin filming in December and conclude in March.
Coming soon? The 2020 season of Bachelor in Paradise is the only show in the franchise that was filmed before the pandemic. Pictured: The 2020 cast
The 2020 season of Bachelor in Paradise is the only show in the dating franchise that was filmed before the pandemic.
It had been scheduled to air earlier this year, but was postponed so that Channel 10 could prioritise its news coverage in the evenings.
It’s likely to return after MasterChef, but no premiere date has been announced.
Back soon: It’s likely to return after MasterChef, but no premiere date has been announced. Pictured: Contestant Abbie Chatfield