[PREVIEW] 'FBoy Island' Is Our Mental Vacation Of Choice

Ah, to be washed up once more on the shores of “FBoy Island”: what a perfect summer escape. The frothy tropical dating show, hosted by Nikki Glaser and dreamed up by former “Bachelor” producer Elan Gale, whisks us away to a mysterious, sun-drenched island populated by three women looking for love, 13 fuckboys in need of reform, and 13 nice guys (self-proclaimed). We recapped season 1 for Love to See It last summer, and it sparked so much joy. Season 2 brings new twists, new heights of comic fantasy, and a few familiar faces (some more welcome than others). Our three new leads are savvy, spunky, and more than up to the challenge of going toe-to-toe with a houseful of smooth talkers, and the fboys are more convincing than ever. The TikTok-like interstitial videos have been toned down, but otherwise the show’s concept feels heightened. The three women are more outré in their styling and more choreographed in their movements (at times they very much resemble a girl group taking the stage). Nikki commits even harder to her riffs. The show leans into its concept, expertly producing every set-piece for maximum comic impact and weird factor. Episode one opens with the contestants prying themselves out of the sand like beached zombies stumbling toward the promise of hot babes and a party called “Bro-chella.” On this week’s episode, we discuss the eight episodes that have dropped on HBO Max thus far; the central characters and relationships that have emerged; the show’s special blend of fantasy, reality, and absurdity; what it means to depict fboys as capable of reform rather than inherently bad; and whether nice guys can make for good reality TV. Hope you enjoy! Watch out for our recap of the final two episodes, coming soon. xoShareWe’ve been watching…Friend of the pod Phoebe Robinson’s new Freeform show, “Everything Is Trash”! The show is a classic, easy-watching sitcom, and Phoebe, an incredibly charming lead, plays a podcaster who makes a living talking about her messy dating life — which causes a few problems for her older brother, who is trying to launch his political career. Listen, a podcaster has to give her audience what they crave. -ClaireI truly binge-watched FX on Hulu’s “The Bear” after a week of seeing other people’s horny “yes chef” tweets. By the end, I not only understood them, but was weeping at this brilliant, intimate, frenetic, stressful, beautiful bite-sized season of TV. -EmmaWe’ve been reading…“Coventry” by Rachel Cusk, which is apparently my vacation book. I got through a few more essays during our week in the Finger Lakes with my side of the family, during the occasional down moments between hiking, swimming, and berry-picking. (I had no idea that having a child would lead me to say, with a completely straight face, things like “we have to be up by 7 or we’ll miss the waterfall hike,” but apparently toddlers want to do things on vacation other than watch you finish your TBR pile.) -ClaireI spent my birthday weekend at the beach, where I get my best reading done. I breezed through Alison B. Hart’s “The Work Wife,” a fast-paced novel set over the course of one significant day, told alternately from the perspectives of a major Hollywood producer’s first wife, second wife, and executive assistant (the titular work wife). After that, I moved onto friend of the pod Hannah Orenstein’s breezy and delightful modern romance novel, “Meant To Be Mine.” Very much recommend both! - EmmaWe’ve been listening to…The soundtrack of “Moana,” now a road trip standby. -Claire“Fed Up,” Wondery’s new podcast about the Emily Gellis / F-Factor founder Tanya Zuckerbrot influencer dust-up. I followed this story casually while it was unfolding, but there was apparently a whole lot more to it. Cannot wait for more episodes to drop. -EmmaWe’ve been buying…The Anise Nightdress from Salter House, a Brooklyn shop that sells romantic nightgowns straight out of a period film: floaty cotton, whimsical embroidery, broderie anglaise and delicate pintucks. They’re designed by shop owner Sandeep Salter, a former archivist and bibliographer who previously opened Goods for the Study with bookstore owner Sarah McNally, and I am totally obsessed with her whole aesthetic. And, of course, I am obsessed with wafting around my truck-sticker-strewn apartment like a reclusive Victorian poet. -ClaireI’ve been making purchases in vacation mode. I’m taking a big Europe trip for the first time since 2018 in a few weeks, and because luggage keeps getting lost (thanks to massive understaffing on airlines), I’m trying to find the most largest, most efficient carry-on luggage I can. I decided to try Roam’s large carry-on, because it’s beautiful, customizable AND practical (and they’re having a sample sale!). I was also on the hunt for some comfy, chic, multi-purpose walking shoes that could take me from day to night. I settled on these Arizona Chunky platform Birkenstocks, with a bouncy, ridged low platform bottom in white, and classic black suede straps with black buckles. Chic and super comfortable! I have been breaking them in all over Brooklyn and am obsessed. -EmmaShare Rich Text