What was once an unstoppable reality TV force, has since began to struggle to break two million views consecutively. Love Island: All Stars seemed to be an attempt at a nostalgia card, romanticising what long time fans tuned in for in the first place. With the show's first episode airing in Love Island's traditional spot on ITV1, the world got their first look at the line-up, at least, the hand full of people that tuned in. The show only garnered 1 million views in its premiere, only 100,000 behind the less popular winter seasons of the regular show. All Stars allegedly only saw a maximum of 1.3 million views, with a 12% decrease in overall viewers. A show with a potential like All Stars should have expected to contend the shows prime (Season 5) in views which hit 5.61 million on average.
It's common knowledge that a low view count does not always equate to a poorly made show, and to a degree, this is the case with All Stars. As the series was premiering, the roster of islanders that were set to hit South Africa began hitting the internet. It was confirmed that staples of the shows history Georgia Steele, Molly Smith, and Callum Jones (to name a few) were to return. While it makes sense that titans of the show would return to their roots as islanders (or disown them all together... we thought you were loyal Georgia...), there were some names that didn't seem to compare. Whether or not you were a fan of Georgia, Molly or Callum it seemed to be in agreeance that they had the All Stars status to return. So that begs the question, what qualifies being an 'All Star'? Bombshell Tyler Cruickshank is probably the most talked about name in response to this, the internet couldn't quite work out what put him in the line up for the show, placing fourth in Season 7 alongside All Star Kaz, wondering why he was chosen over the likes of Teddy Soares. However, the idea that Tyler was not All Star worthy was only proved true when, after 8 days in the villa, he was dumped on day 16.
Cast and views covered, the next pillar of the show was its story. In typical Love Island fashion, some couples get overlooked more than others based purely on tv entertainment. This series was no different. As the show kicked off, Toby and Georgia Steele were the topic for discussion. With history on Love Island's other spin off, Love Island Games, the two naturally gravitated towards each other in an explosive climax. Toby claiming "I didn't think we were that close... Oh f*ck off Georgia" mid argument. As the show progressed, the two eventually (after Georgia caused havoc with Molly and Callum) found their way back together, ending the show in fourth. It seemed that Georgia (and Molly) were the shows leading members as the show focused its time on Georgia and Callum's short lived couple, causing riffs with Callum's ex-girlfriend of 3 1/2 years, Molly. It seemed that (like clockwork) she could not decide who or what she wanted, expecting Callum to wait for her to choose.
Now the series has come to an end, the world could only hope that this has pushed them to improve the show, taking it back to its once former glory.
Now the series has come to an end, the world could only hope that this has pushed them to improve the show, taking it back to its once former glory. Collard's second appearance on the show set a standard for All Star's before it even began. Overall, Love Island: All Star's seemed like the next natural step for the series with the show receiving less views as each season rolled out; it was an entertaining attempt at putting an end to that, although not as successful or likeable as the masses had expected.
