On Friday, Netflix launched its new romantic reality series Too Hot To Handle, which saw sex-starved contestants curb their inner desires in a contest of will. The show features 10 attractive individuals who stay at the Casa Tau resort in Punta Mita, Mexico. Their stay, however, involves one condition: no kissing, heavy petting or intercourse of any kind. The show aims to have each of the contestants form meaningful relationships that dig deeper than their sexual desires. If the group is resilient, they have an opportunity to take away $100,000 in prize money.
From the season's genesis, several romances immediately formed amidst the group's attractive members. These relationships challenged the contestants to maintain their focus on the series' goal. Contestants Harry and Francesca became the first couple to fall victim to their desires. These two lovebirds were caught tongue in the mouth by the show's AI, Lana, and the group was subsequently fined 3,000$ for the rule break. This fine in turn catalyzed a domino effect. Other couples gave in to their inhibitions and more infractions followed. The steamy allure of sexual tension amidst the group prompted the show's producers to introduce green light-up watches.
According to RealityTitBit, "The Too Hot to Handle cast are kitted out with watches which light up green when Lana gives them the 'green light' for rewards. These rewards come when the cast have shown they are developing."
The reward that is being referred to is basically a safety period where if a couple is given the "green light," they have free range to do whatever they want. The first instance of this is given when the couple Sharron and Rhonda are able to make a breakthrough in opening up to one another. Lana proceeds to allow them a "green light" and they take full advantage.
But there's more to the implementation of the green watches than meets the eye. The idea of rewarding couples for progress is rooted in human psychology. Reward and punishment are both tools of conditioning developed by Russian scientist Ivan Pavlov. The show aims to tap into the psychology of its contestants, so introducing the green watches is a way of manipulating them down the right path.
Considering that most of the contestants entered the show as having difficulty maintaining committed relationships using psychological tools could be a useful tactic. But most importantly, giving the couple's an opportunity to pounce on each other makes for steamy reality television.
