Too Hot To Handle (TV Series) - Wikipedia

Background

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The show was created by Laura Gibson[6] and developed by Charlie Bennett, citing Seinfeld episode, "The Contest" as their inspiration for the premise of Too Hot to Handle.[7] Laura Gibson, creative director of Fremantle-owned production company Talkback, which produced the eight-part series, told Deadline Hollywood that she had been working to produce a dating show since 2016.[8]

Viki Kolar and Jonno Richards, executive producers for Too Hot to Handle,[9] said they found inspiration for the virtual character from artificial intelligence and virtual assistants, especially in video surveillance. Viki Kolar stated, "[A.I.] is literally everywhere around us. It's kind of governing us, it's taking over," in an interview with Glamour.[10]

Development

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On 5 May 2019, Netflix Studios, LLC applied to trademark the phrase "Too Hot to Handle" for all educational, training, entertainment, sporting, and cultural purposes. The application was approved on 24 June 2019, and was extended on 5 March 2020.[11][12] Too Hot to Handle is produced by Fremantle production company Talkback.[13]

The show, instead of using a human as their host, used a virtual assistant named Lana. Desiree Burch provided voice-over narration, making snarky and comedic remarks towards the contestants.[14]

During seasons 1-5, Lana remained the only host of Too Hot to Handle. In season 6, the usual plot of the show took a turn with the introduction of "Bad Lana" who tempts the cast to act in the exact opposite manner that Lana would. In past seasons, the cast of Too Hot to Handle didn't know what show they had signed up for (and had the news announced to them by Lana). However, in season 6, the cast members knew what show they were on.[15]

This prompted the introduction of "Bad Lana" to add a twist to how cast members believed their time on the show would go. With Bad Lana comes the invention of "Lana's Bunker" in which participants who are thrown out of the villa go to stay for a second chance.[15]

Casting

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In 2018, Talkback announced that casting for an untitled reality television show was open.[citation needed] In total, over 3,000 people auditioned for the show. Producer Louise Peet stated that the people who ultimately ended up being on the show stood out to the casting team and were chosen quickly.[16]

Filming

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A luxury resort called Casa Tau[17] in Punta Mita, Mexico opened to guests in December 2018.[18] Soon after, Too Hot to Handle started filming at Casa Tau in late-March 2019[19] and ended filming in April.[20][21] After filming had ended, all fourteen contestants were able to spend several days at the resort with no cameras before going home.[22]

Seasons 2 & 3 were filmed in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos at the Turtle Tail estate.[23] Seasons 4 & 5 were also filmed in Turks and Caicos, but in Leeward at an estate on the Emerald Point Peninsula.[23] Lastly, season 6 was filmed at Triton Villa on Turks and Caicos as well.[24]

Release

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On 10 April 2020, Netflix released the trailer for the first season of Too Hot to Handle.[25] The first season of Too Hot to Handle consisted of eight episodes,[26] all of which were released on 17 April 2020 on Netflix.[27] A reunion episode aired on 8 May 2020, where Desiree Burch interviewed the fourteen contestants.[28] The first 4 episodes of second season premiered on 23 June 2021, while the remaining 6 episodes premiered on 30 June 2021.[29] The third season was released on 19 January 2022.[30] The first 5 episodes of the fourth season premiered on 7 December 2022, while the remaining 5 episodes premiered on 14 December 2022.[31] The first 4 episodes of the fifth season premiered on 14 July 2023.[32] The next 3 episodes were released on 21 July 2023, and the final 3 episodes of the fifth season were released on 28 July 2023.

Netflix released three spinoff mobile games, Too Hot to Handle: Love is a Game (2022)[33] Too Hot to Handle 2 (2023),[34] and Too Hot to Handle 3 (2024).[35] As of March 2023, Love is a Game was Netflix's most played game.[36]

Prize

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Season 1

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At the allocation ceremony, the ten remaining contestants became the winners. Francesca Farago, Harry Jowsey, Kelz Dyke, Bryce Hirschberg, Chloe Veitch, David Birtwistle, Lydia Clyma, Nicole O'Brien, Rhonda Paul, and Sharron Townsend all split the $75,000 prize fund, resulting in $7,500 for each person.[37][38]

Season 2

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At the allocation ceremony, it came down to three contestants: Carly Lawrence, Cam Holmes, and Marvin Anthony. The fellow finalists were the ones who voted for the winner, selecting Marvin as the winner of the $55,000 prize fund.[39]

Season 3

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At the allocation ceremony, it came down to four contestants: Beaux Raymond & Harry Johnson (as a couple), Georgia Hassarati, and Nathan Soan Mngomezulu. The fellow finalists were the ones who voted for the winner, selecting Beaux and Harry as the winner of the $90,000 prize fund.[40]

Season 4

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At the allocation ceremony, it came down to two couples: Jawahir Khalifa & Nick Kici, and Kayla Richart & Seb Melrose. The fellow finalists voted for the winner, with Jawahir & Nick winning the $89,000 prize fund with a final vote of 6 votes to 1.[41]

Season 5

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At the allocation ceremony, it came down to two contestants: Elys Hutchinson and Dre Woodard. The fellow finalists voted for Elys to win the $100,000 prize fund. Elys decided to split the prize fund with runner-up Dre, resulting in $50,000 for both contestants.[42]

Season 6

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The prize fund was at $125,000 when it came to the allocation ceremony. Lana announced that there would be three winners this season, one couple and one single who was committed to the rules of the retreat. The couple would win the $100,000 and the single would win the $25,000. Demari Davis & Bri Belram and Charlie Jeer & Katherine LaPrell were announced as the two couples in the running for the $100,000. Demari & Bri won the $100,000 following a 7–1 vote from the finalists, leaving Charlie & Katherine as the runners-up.[43] Gianna Pettus was chosen by Lana as the single to win the $25,000, leaving Chris Aalli and Lucy Syed as the runner-ups for that prize money.[44]