VIDEO New A&E reality show Love Prison mashes up Survivor, Catfish and Big Brother

With production costs low and potential rewards high, networks continue to scramble for new reality show concepts, so of course it makes perfect sense to cobble together elements from other successful shows with a proven track record. That’s what it appears the Dr. Frankensteins at A&E have done with their latest offering, Love Prison, which sews together elements of Survivor (deserted island), Catfish (online couples who have never met), and Big Brother (people isolated in a house with cameras). The only surprise for me is that the couples involved aren’t naked.

Here’s a preview trailer:

The series, which premieres Monday, September 8 at 10/9c, will feature online couples who will meet face-to-face for the first time in a house on a deserted island where they will stay for a week without the distractions of technology or other people.

From the press release:

Each episode begins with an established online couple agreeing to test the strength of their connection in the “Love Prison.” Here, the couples are forced to get to know each other the hard way. This social experiment will test the validity of online compatibility versus real-life chemistry. They have zero access to technology and must spend 23-hours a day indoors. Surprise interruptions keep them on their toes, and just when things may be going well, video interviews about their past reveal secrets both good and bad.

^ The Michael Jacksonesque couple Billy and Jeanne on Love Prison

After an emotional week, the couples will decide whether they will stay together or call off their online affairs for good. When their boat comes to pick them up, will they both leave together? Or will one be left behind?

Wait, so why put them on a deserted island if they have to stay in the house 23 hours a day? I guess it’s to keep the contents under pressure, so to speak? And I suppose it’s harder to make sure everything is caught on film when they’re gallivantin’ around the island.

Annnnyways…

I’ve mentioned before that I think concepts are a little over-rated when it comes to reality shows, unless they are of the gritty occupational variety pioneered by Thom Beers (Deadliest Catch, Ax Men, etc). In the end it will come down to how entertaining the couples are (with “entertaining” being a broad term covering everything from charming to diabolically evil to outright ridiculous) and editing.

Either way, I’ll be tuned in to the premiere to see for myself!

Love Prison premieres Monday, September 8 at 10/9c on A&E.