The first episode of the new reality dating series Wingman dropped yesterday, and we are here for it. As promised, we’ve already seen a rollercoaster of emotions and surprising twists, leaving everyone buzzing about what’s to come. Let’s get into it!
The show is set in a luxurious (but I’m sorry, definitely fake) manor, which according to a press release from the production company is “Neo-Italianate.” I don’t know what that means, but it makes sense that they had to film this in an enclosed studio set, because secrecy about the show has been tighter than host Busty Moneyslam’s brassiere.
Speaking of the former professional wrestler, she kicked things off last night with her signature charm, revealing in candid interview footage the show’s major twist: our lovely bachelorette, Abellyne Rihanna Llewellen, is not going to be seduced by any of the show’s twenty male contestants. Instead, each of them are competing to be the best “wingman,” subtly guiding Abellyne toward the hapless, socially awkward, but honestly not too bad-looking Eugene.
Almost immediately, the next twist was revealed, as we saw behind-the-scenes footage of the contestants being introduced to Eugene—who is not actually a fellow contestant, but a producer on the show itself! Cameramen, boom operators, and all the usually hidden things that make TV magic are going to be fully included in the show, and only Abellyne will be unaware that nothing is actually behind-the-scenes.
Of course, to maintain the structure of the show-within-a-show, contestants will still have to be voted off each episode, so it will be their job to walk the tightrope of staying close to Abellyne, but ultimately getting themselves rejected in favor of Eugene. If the last man standing can successfully convince her to follow her heart and admit her feelings for Eugene—without revealing that it’s been a setup all along—he will win $200,000, and the hearts of viewers everywhere.
(And while you might think that keeping Abellyne to himself is not a bad consolation prize, it’s unlikely to happen once the curtain is pulled aside for her, and all of the final wingman’s lies are revealed. No woman wants to be with a man so selfish that he stands in the way of true love!)
Fortunately for the contestants, we have yet to see our first elimination round—stay tuned for the Episode 2 recap!—but viewers are already picking their favorites. Trending hashtags for the show included #IllTakeAdam, #JosiahNeedsTherapy, and #TeamBusty, the last being used by viewers who are certain that another romantic twist is surely on the way by the end of the show.
Be sure to check back here for recaps of future episodes, as the quest for love continues!
