Last summer, reality festival FBoy Island took us to paradise. As crypto bros and West Elm Calebs permeated the fresh courting scene, the hit HBO Max reality sequence dared to ask the maximum pressing question of 2021: Can ladies in truth dodge fuckboys, or will the nice guys all the time finish ultimate?
The results of this experiment had been inconclusive, however nonetheless a trash-TV triumph used to be born. Now the series is back for a second season full of more random twists and oily pecs, and we’re (Daily Beast writers Laura Bradley, Allegra Frank, and Fletcher Peters) in a position to wreck down each and every minute of mischief.
For those that haven’t watched the first season over and over again—now not that we have, of course…—right here’s a handy guide a rough Fboy Island primer. Around a dozen self-proclaimed “FBoys” and some other dozen “Nice Guys,” all pretty attractive, must combat for the hand of one among three women. The ladies—this season, welcome Mia, Louise, and Tamaris—each and every make a choice a man to calm down with. If they pick a pleasant guy? They’ll split $100,000. But if they opt for an FBoy? He’ll get the $100,000, with the choice of splitting it along with his lady.
Every week, HBO Max will drop a new batch of episodes through which the girls date round, smooch, and banish a handful of men to either the “Nice Guy Grotto” or the a ways much less sumptuous maintaining area, “Limbro.” At Limbro, men can handiest put on the garments on their backs. They will have to undergo FBoy treatment from host Nikki Glaser. Maybe sooner or later, if they’re robust sufficient, they can go back to the island and check out once more with the girl of their desires.
But almost definitely not. There will probably be screaming outdoor of bathrooms. Season 1 avid gamers will return. And, optimistically, in opposition to all odds, love will likely be found. Even if it isn’t, a minimum of there shall be chaos—and we’ll be here to damage down each and every moment of the insanity.
Fletcher: Let’s start with Lucasz, the “FBoy” who got here onto the display claiming to be a virgin. Was that a good strategy? I believe it was nice, if he wanted to move down in the FBoy Hall of Fame (a foul position to be). But to win the sport? Absolutely not.
Laura: His “strategy” of pretending to be a floppy-eared virgin on a show that incorporates the (implied) word “fuck” in the identify? I imply… It wouldn’t be my first plan!
Fletcher: “F” in “FBoy” actually stands for “Fake Virgin.” (Was he in truth a virgin? We never came upon.)
Allegra: FVBoy Island!
If he sought after to place himself as the Nicest Nice Guy, which I suppose is what he was once going for, then … I mean, I get the considering! Also, frankly, he did the most important thing someone will have to do in this show, which is to be memorable. And that binch was once memorable.
Still, the point is, ostensibly, to win money. And he was never going to try this!
Fletcher: It’s a just right technique, being nice and innocent. He just went too a ways with it. Maybe simply say, “I’ve only ever been in a single long run dating, and she or he broke my middle,” or one thing to if truth be told make a lady empathize.
Maybe we'd like a opposite. A Nice Guy who poses as an FBoy.
Allegra: OK, THAT can be SO GOOD
Laura: That’s far more a laugh. Elan Gale, in the event you’re studying this, take into accout!
Allegra: The thing about this display is it’s new enough to still feel unpredictable relating to strategy. It’s still a relationship competition, however its rules are so unique (and convoluted) that I've to present props to the boys for attempting anything else roughly wacky.
Fletcher: OK, perhaps we transfer onto any other strategizer. How can the different guys take down Mercedes, obviously a villain? (Unless HE’S the Nice Guy posing as an FBoy.)
Laura: I have my suspicions that he's exactly that! After a couple episodes, his “FBoy” act feels like it’s laid on roughly thick. And there are benefits to playing the FBoy even supposing you propose to separate the money, I think?
Allegra: Right. Clearly these girls have traditionally given an excessive amount of good thing about the doubt to FBoys. There’s precedent for an FBoy successful this sport, in all the ways in which rely. (Like, changing into an influencer/someone we take note—Garrett, Casey, we see you.) Okay, maybe now not all the techniques … the cash is the real strategy to win.
That said, I don’t really believe that Mercedes makes sense enough to tug off a stunt that duplicitous??? He’s TOO just right at the villain act.
Fletcher: I simply really feel like Mercedes is ruling the show greater than these ladies are presently. He’s controlling everybody, however I do assume his act will tumble…confidently at the arms of the ladies. He’s much less focused on getting Louise, and extra curious about getting rid of guys. This isn’t Survivor!
Laura: So, right here’s my super-conspiracy-brain principle about Mercedes, slash guys posing as FBoys typically: I believe that should you’re taking part in the lengthy sport on any truth show, you’re thinking less about the competition than you are how the recreation will affect your broader social media logo. The cash prize is negligible compared to the sponcon offers you'll be able to get when you get away. And it’s far more compelling to watch a meant “FBoy” get “reformed” than it is to look at a Nice Guy win.
Does this make sense, or did I formally rot my mind with an excessive amount of Bachelorette and FBoy Island this week?
Fletcher: No, that’s exactly proper! I’ve been seeing those fellas posting alllll over Instagram with each and every different—no longer about the ladies, hardly about the display. Garrett and Casey were sensible to befriend one some other last season and turn into well-liked by enthusiasts as a duo, constantly appearing on each other’s social media. And see how that will pay off? They’re back.
(Garrett even gained!! So, like, sensible strategy, as scummy as he's.)
Allegra: Half those guys have girlfriends again home, anyway. These displays absolutely are not vehicles for finding love anymore!
Fletcher: That being mentioned, I'm really rooting for some of the guys to get the girl. Poor Tom. I do imagine he's head over heels for Tamaris.
OK, additionally: Mercedes satisfied Nikolay to tell Louise he was talking shit about her, dissing her as a “dumb blonde” moments after assembly. Let’s get into that, too. Was Nikolay wise in masking up his tracks?
Laura: Mercedes saw a very simple mark and he was completely right. Nikolay is obviously now not a pupil of how those shows paintings, or tips on how to navigate these competitions’ social eventualities to shift things in your favor. He used to be never lengthy for this oiled-up world.
Fletcher: Again, glad for the drama, now not pleased with the technique. This used to be so a laugh to watch, however Nikolay in point of fact flopped. He may just’ve made one thing up about Mercedes—or done actually anything else besides telling Louise what he mentioned. Even if Mercedes informed Louise what used to be said, he might’ve looked more like a gossip/tattle tale than a just right man anyways.
Allegra: Totally agreed—very a laugh, but in addition very painful to watch. To me, this display is set how no person will also be trusted, literally! This is why Nice Guys get voted out too. It’s truly down to the girls making gut selections at the finish, so there’s most effective such a lot you can do on the subject of showing honesty. Everyone is suspicious and paranoid!
Laura: Let Mercedes tell Louise what he needs. There’s all the time a strategy to spin that as him being the gossip. But once you develop into a supply of drama, you in an instant kill the spark and your chances plummet.
Fletcher: It’ll kill him quickly sufficient! But now it’s Peter time. Mercedes and the guys are pissed at Peter. They assume he has an advantage as a result of he seemed in Season 1. (And got eradicated on Night 1!) Do the guys have a right to be mad at Mia over going after Peter?
I’m torn on this one. Mia needs to step clear of this man, however I don’t think the different guys want her to leave him for the proper causes. Obviously, they’re jealous. But are any of them if truth be told fearful about Mia? Part of me thinks Peter is the most disturbing dude on set—Casey backs me up here, and he seems like a good time—and they want him to leave them on my own.
Allegra: I imply, these types of dudes aren’t thinking of somebody but themselves. I will unquestionably see Peter being incredibly annoying. His task is “child care/influencer.” Tell me that isn’t inherently obnoxious. But beyond that, in fact the guys are mad at the dude from last season getting a 2nd chance. It feels like an unfair advantage … with the exception of in this case, it’s now not, because Peter were given axed in the first round of Season 1, right?!
Fletcher: He’s lucky Mia had a long-standing overwhelm on him. Or else he would’ve been voted off two times in the first spherical, which would’ve been ICONIC.
Laura: Peter is absolutely resting on his laurels, and I hope Mia calls him on it. But I think the different guys can stuff it.
I simply want those men to understand that on FBoy Island, they don’t have “rights”! They’re here to compete for a woman’s attention. I assumed it was once so telling that John eliminated himself as soon as he discovered Mia used to be going to chop him, and he stated he wasn’t going to “beg” a woman. It jogged my memory of Casey and CJ final season, when Casey kept announcing he wanted an “equivalent partnership.” There isn't any equality here, sir! You’re here auditioning for a date! Get with the program or get thee to Limbro.
Fletcher: On the turn aspect, I think a lot of guys are right here to get voted off right away so they can hang out at Nice Guy Grotto, and excellent for them! More on Peter: Is he reformed?!?
Allegra: Good for them!!! And … no. I don’t believe it for an speedy. I think he simply sought after again on the display and his having barely been on the first season makes him mysterious sufficient for people to imagine he’s changed. Who was he really earlier than? It’s onerous to say in keeping with what we all know. But I don’t think he’s made a vital way of life or angle exchange if he in truth is again here on this sort of show.
Laura: I don't purchase for a second that he’s modified. He drips fuckboy power.
Fletcher: If the display calls him “reformed,” I name bullshit. I feel he would possibly say he’s reformed, however he has some real soul-searching to do if he thinks he’s a pleasing guy. A nice man does now not lock himself in the bathroom to convince a girl he’s changed!
Laura: (“I’VE CHANGED!!!! I’VE CHANGED!!!!!!!!”)
Fletcher: I was in truth a big fan of his in Season 1, ahead of CJ dropped him. Now I know: You must by no means doubt the queen. (I omit CJ!)
Allegra: GOD I leave out her. I've to mention, I’m now not as in love with the girlies this season … but that’s any other story. That mentioned: Peter is terrible and no one deserves him. Get him outta here, women!
Laura: Wait, talking of Nice Guys, even though—can we speak about Benedict really briefly?
Fletcher: Yes!!
Laura: WHAT a cutie!
Fletcher: He is a superstar. I don’t in reality like his comedy, BUT I’ll forgive him for that.
… Nikki Glaser also told me he by no means laughed at her jokes, BUT I’ll forgive him for that too.
Laura: Waaaaiiitt….
Allegra: He’s a dumb-dumb, however a very candy boy! Maybe he was once too anxious to snicker at Nikki. Nikki is so tough.
Also, I googled to see a rundown of the new cast, and in the piece I found, Benedict is quoted as playing “eating rotisserie rooster in his automotive and biting his nails.” He’s wonderful. Never let him move. If he betrays us, which I’m now not certain he WON’T, I will be beautiful torn up over it.
Fletcher: Costco rotisserie rooster, I hope. And me, too!
Laura: Perish the thought!
ncG1vNJzZmhqZGy7psPSmqmorZ6Zwamx1qippZxemLyue82erqxnmaPAqrDEZquhnV2br7DFjKKqpZmemXqxvsSmoJ6qlWKurbiMrZ%2BeZZmivbC%2B05qlrWWknby2s8etqmg%3D