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The newest reality series of The Zeus Network ‘Love Cabin’ has caught the attention of many with the expulsion of its first couple, Brian Segnaro and Annissa, leading to the speculation whether the channel is using drama over real intimacy as a gimmick.
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Aww, so long to ‘Brisa.’ That was the official Love Cabin page’s staff’s reaction, announcing the first match which was Brian Segnaro and Annissa has been kicked out of the new series on Zeus Network. This was followed by a question from the post to its audience whether the couple was too risk-averse or they acted just the way they were supposed to do? The reaction of the audience, however, was less a debate than a coherently loud protest. The first couple who seemed to be the most real among all the others got kicked out and the whole audience went confused and pointed the finger at the production for the total losing of the plot.
The concept was quite uncomplicated: a cabin, singles, a quest for love. But when the couple that really connected was sent away, the show’s logics came into immediate questioning. One viewer expressed the puzzlement in a very relatable way, asking, ‘What’s the point of this show then?’ This was a sentiment that came through very strongly in the comments. Another person added, ‘is this not “love cabin” 😭😭😭 isn’t how they were the entire point.’ The audience was left feeling like they had witnessed a competitor making an excellent dish in a cooking competition only to be sent home because of that.
Some viewers even claimed that the show was now revealing its true character. ‘They want drama on this show not LOVE,’ someone commented candidly. The majority thought alike that the elimination of the couple is a clear indication of the series being about conflicts rather than connections. ‘It’s supposed to be a reality show & once they realized their was real leggit love being found on the show, they got rid of it to keep the shows fake image,’ was another remark, suggesting the honest moment was not appropriate for the usually chaotic Zeus ecosystem and was thus eliminated.
The resulting outcry was not only of a philosophical nature but also emotional. ‘Brisa’ has developed into a great love story. ‘They were the most real, the most genuine, the most authentic match, it was interest like they really liked each other…’ one viewer expressed. Another person found the situation so bad that they just simply stated, ‘This show is a mess..getting rid of the only real couple is insane! Safe to say I’m done watching.’ The viewing audience treated the elimination not as a strategic game move but as a fundamental betrayal of the show’s claim.
A few of the viewers expressed their discontent towards the show’s host, Ray J. ‘I think RayJ is the problem,’ was one user’s observation. Another user was even clearer: ‘Ray J has to go, and this does not need a season two because you all clearly aren’t capable of doing non-fighting shows anymore.’ The backlash portraiture is of an audience that feel abandoned and deceived; they wanted a love story but were given a plot twist that favored messiness over romance.
In the midst of all the criticism, some defended the necessity of the production’s choice. One of the viewers said, ‘You are supposed to give other people a chance and they just weren’t doing that… it was too soon for them to be all cuffed up.’ However, this line of reasoning could not compete with the main theme of support for the rejected couple. Some people were asking for the couple to get a ‘redemption shot’ in a future episode, while some just wished them good luck off-screen. ‘I loved them fr & i hope they together in real life,’ one loyal fan commented, thus revealing the demand for a happy ending that the show itself denied them.
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The strong reaction highlights a continuing conflict regarding reality TV from the audience’s perspective. Viewers want to see the real thing, but at the same time, producers are always there busy pulling the strings behind the scenes, coming up with new ways to keep the audience engaged. The first disqualification from Love Cabin was among such cases where the audience’s discussion over the essence of the show was genuinely provoked. As it eliminates the most stable couple, the series risks itself by claiming what kind of amusement it wants to be. Whether or not the audience will acquiesce this is still a question, they might just choose to walk away. For the time being, the cabin is more of a game zone and less of a love place.