As usual, the first episode of the new edition of The Island of the Famousbroadcast on Channel 5 Monday 8 April, starts with the arrival of the castaways in Honduras and the presentation clips dedicated to them. They are introduced by Vladimir Luxuria, who replaces Ilary Blasi at the helm of the reality show, flanked in the studio by the commentators Sonia Bruganelli and Dario MalteseWhile Eleonoire Casalegno takes Alvin’s place as envoy to the Island.
Between a technical problem – the connection with the castaways nip is terrible – and the first arguments the episode goes quite smoothly, with a few surprises here and there (Tonia Romano does not participate in the Island due to health problems) and tough and hot challenges. There is no shortage of innovations, such as a new and different Palada, the place where the nominations take place, and the presence of “non-famous” characters, as Luxuria calls them throughout the episode. We also find out what the latter, who have been in Honduras for 48 hours already, think of VIPs and how well-known castaways see each other (let’s say that nice words haven’t been heard, but they all still have to learn to know each other). Nip and VIP will meet in the episode of Thursday 11 April, but in the meantime the trial by fire sees Greta Zuccarello as the leader, while the nominations lead to the I televote Joe Bastianich, Artur Dainese, Luce Caponegro and Samuel Peron (HERE all nominations with reasons and a short summary).
The Island of the Famous, episode 8 April 2024: the Tops
We give the first top to Vladimir Luxuriabecause despite some hesitations due to emotion, so much so that he declared, without being afraid to admit his own weaknesses, “today I am the first official castaway of the Island of the Famous“, is always on point and creates ad hoc jokes and questions based on what happens and is said by the castaways themselves. Furthermore, first of all, he thanks all those he has met during the various experiences in the reality show: from Simona Ventura to Ilary Blasi, speaking very well of her and thanking her for her precious advice. The elegance with which she enters the scene dressed in white is already worth everything, even if there is something wrong with her conduct (but we talk about it in the flops). Let’s remember, however, that she is the first year at the helm of the program and the commitment is to be appreciated: she even greets Aras Senol in Turkish (it’s a shame that he doesn’t understand her, but at least he tries). And then the digs, more than one: “There is more current there than in the parties!“, she says, seeing the rough sea. And she is also resolute: “We decide the rules, get over it“, he says to Brandi when he asks the pilot to lower himself with the helicopter. Perhaps he could be a little more daring, but for the opening episode (which follows a separate logic) he chooses a clean and decisive line of management, without flashes excessive. Knowing her, those further ahead will not be lacking.
Applause also to Arthur Dainese who, despite immediately appearing a bit unpleasant, demonstrates both courage (he doesn’t hesitate even for a moment when he has to dive, throwing himself from the helicopter with great style) and determination and resistance when he has to resist the heat of the fire. In short, he has what it takes to reach the top. It should be remembered, however, that the castaway has already participated in the Spanish version ofIsland and therefore he could have an advantage compared to others. Worth mentioning is also Greta Zuccarellowinner of the trial by fire, who however does not give up and demonstrates, from the opening clip, that she has a character waiting to be discovered.
Also promoted Marina Suma: we don’t see her excelling, but her always lively smile, energy and wit, despite the pain of the loss of her partner Claudio, to whom she was linked for 20 years, surprise and send a beautiful message. “I will face the Island like a true warrior“, he says. For us he is already doing it by putting himself on the line in this way. We give the last two tops to Aras Senol (Cetin of Bitter Earth) and Edward Franco: first for helping Matilde Brandi, brave enough to dive from the helicopter despite the terror, once she reached the shore. Not everyone cares about others (but it could just be strategy); the second because, as in the past a MasterChef Italycontinues to make us laugh with jokes, style and spontaneity.
The Island of the Famous: the flops
We give the first flop to Vladimir Luxuria, because if it is true that she shows that she knows how to get by, despite the problems related to live broadcasts and communication (she is a bit slow in speaking), it is also true that during the first episode, in addition to repeating the same information until exhaustion, she gives more space for Sonia Bruganelli, often putting Dario Maltese aside, who however does not shine with originality regarding the comments. Let’s say that it’s a bit as if the two women were alone in that studio, with the Tg5 journalist who occasionally intervenes to say “I’m there too”. Not only that, because the presenter seems a bit unfair at a certain point, in particular when she tells the new Miss Italy Francesca Bergesio to leave the winner’s crown that she had brought from home on the helicopter and then to Joe Bastianich, who among The other threatens to leave if they don’t allow him to keep the guitar, allows him to have it with him, asking him to answer a very easy quiz – starring his traveling companions – during which he is also helped several times. We understand that a crown and a guitar are two completely different objects, but this is unfair and disrespectful towards the other castaways who really can’t keep anything. And then what do we want to teach viewers? That if you “blackmail” you get what you want?
Also rejected Eleonoire Casalegno, not only because she appears unpleasant and inadequate in the role of correspondent, with that coldness and rigidity that, for example, did not belong to Alvin, who was perfectly at ease in these roles. But we still want to break a chord in her favor, hoping that she improves over time: she is very good at explaining the evidence, better than Alvin. Also to be forgotten is the way in which the poet Pietro Fanelli, born in Turin (lives in Milan), behaves from the first days. Apart from the clip which already allows us to understand the complexity and heaviness of the character, we notice that Pietro has little desire to do and relate to others, an attitude that certainly won’t help him within the reality show. Not only that, because he claims to be against TV programs like The Island of the Famous and the Big Brother, yet he is participating in one of them, even if reluctantly (and it is evident). The boy is a bit hypocritical, a bit much. We’re still wondering what he joined the cast to do.
Speaking of cast, what is disappointing is precisely the choice of characters called to take part in it: beyond the presence of the nips, many VIPs are also semi-unknown, which makes it less engaging and intriguing than in past years. The program is not called The Island of the Famous? But we don’t see much of well-known characters, apart from three or four interesting names, and many seem absent in the first episode. We give the penultimate flop to Sonia Bruganelli who evidently forgot that she was no longer at Big Brother and is already ready to comment on the possible couples of the reality show, especially when Greta and Artur embrace each other when the trial by fire ends in a draw… Finally, we don’t understand why the authors decided to give a maximum time in the “trial by fire” (3 minutes and 8 seconds), as, in doing so, it loses meaning. We also wonder why the limit is so low considering the times that competitors set in past years (they even reached 6 minutes).
