by susan hornik

KISS ME IN FIJI

One of the hottest shows to watch this summer is the reality dating competition Love Island USA, which is currently taping in Fiji. Now hosted by reality star Ariana Madix from Bravo’s Vanderpump Rules, the new season is exclusively available on Peacock, with new episodes streaming Thursdays through Tuesdays. Comedian Iain Stirling brings extra laughter, serving as the narrator for the new season.

“I knew going in that I just wanted to be me, times ten, and bring whatever makes me to the role,” Madix told The Hollywood Reporter.

The U.S. show has proven to be so popular that the streamer also launched Love Island Aftersun, a weekly chat series that discusses all the delicious drama from each week. Maura Higgins, who was a former contestant on the British version of Love Island, hosts.

There’s also a Love Island podcast hosted by Brie and Nikki Garcia, who WWE wrestling fans may remember as the Bella Twins. Their show, Spill the Tea Mondays, features exclusive interviews with contestants after they leave the show, and fan favorite contestants from other seasons

PAST & PRESENT

One of the more unique films receiving major award season buzz is Treasure, adapted from Lily Brett’s 2000 novel, Too Many Men. In the movie, a father (Stephen Fry plays Edek) and daughter (Lena Dunham, in her first starring role since HBO’s Girls, plays Ruthie) travel to Poland in 1991 to explore his family’s connection with the Holocaust.

“Treasure tells us that in order to understand ourselves, we need to understand our origins,” acknowledged director and co-writer Julia von Heinz. “I want the audience to pick up the phone, call their parents or grandparents, ask, and research. Pain travels through the generations until someone is ready to feel it. I wish my audience Ruthie’s courage to unpack the painful past.”

Shooting at Auschwitz was challenging, noted von Heinz. “We took a lot of time for this shoot. Auschwitz is a large cemetery that must be respected…We were aware of this at all times. The actors were all deeply affected, as they had family members who were lost in the Holocaust.”

FEET FIRST

Take Me Out Feet First, a documentary exploring the right to choose medical aid at the end of one’s life, is now number one on Amazon Prime’s documentary list.

Executive produced and directed by Serene Meshel Dillman in partnership with the nonprofit advocacy organization Compassion & Choices, the series profiles 25 terminally ill people and their families and friends, as well as experts in the medical field.

In the U.S., medical aid in dying is legal in only ten states and Washington, D.C. The series was inspired by the director’s mother, who chose to end her life after she was diagnosed with stage 4 spindle cell sarcoma, a rare form of lung cancer, and given less than three months to live. Her father, originally opposed to following the same path, ultimately chose to use medical aid in dying after being diagnosed with cancer in 2022.

“This story shows the courage, determination, and love that my mother embodied toward the end, as well as my father’s clear decision-making when, it too, was his time,” said Meshel-Dillman.

YOU CAN TRUST ME…

It’s hardly a surprise Peacock’s The Traitors has been the number one unscripted reality competition series across all streaming platforms in the U.S. since the week of its season two launch  it’s deliciously evil!

Described as “a nail-biting psychological adventure in which treachery and deceit are the name of the game,” the series won a 2023 Emmy Award for Outstanding Casting for a Reality Program and recently picked up four 2024 Critics Choice Real TV Award wins, the most wins of any series or network, including Male Star of the Year and Best Show Host for Alan Cumming.

Fan-favorite Survivor contestant Parvati Shallow, who was one of the Traitors this past season, can’t wait until season 3 goes into production, noting, “I will definitely be watching Traitors season 3! I’ve got so many friends playing the game this time and so many people to root for. I’m excited to watch Survivor contestants Carolyn Wiger and Boston Rob play.”

FILM FARE FANTASTIC

If you’re headed to Comic-Con in San Diego this year, check out Julien’s Auctions and Turner Classic Movies (TCM)’s first co-branded Hollywood memorabilia event at the Comic-Con Museum. “We are pleased to be a part of this collaborative effort and have the opportunity to invite patrons and visitors to experience the newest popular arts museum in the U.S.,” said Rita Vandergaw, executive director of Comic-Con Museum.

Among the many highlights is a panoply of legendary costumes, and items from various productions of the Harry Potter film franchise, such as an original Slytherin house robe as worn by the students from the films Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. “There’s nothing in the world like Comic-Con and together with our superhero teams at Julien’s and our partner TCM, we look forward to creating the ultimate nexus of celebration at Comic-Con for these amazing genre films and franchises that include exciting Hollywood memorabilia auctions and collector fandom experiences,” said David Goodman, CEO, Julien’s Auctions.