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Hot Mess Summer proves that if anyone can do a gameshow, it’s Rylan Clark. He’s ace, and was even surprisingly good on Channel 4’s Alternative Election Night in 2019!
This time, though, he’s having to control a different bunch of reprobates( ot “hot messes”, in this case), with eight “party-loving Brits” (loud drunks, then), who think they’re heading for a new sort of Love Island in Zante, but instead, they’ll have to run a pool bar – mixing drinks and cleaning toilets, making it all about as much fun as working at the Little Chef.
If they get it right, and don’t let their egos or silly tattoos get in the way, then they could share a maximum of £60,000.
All that said, who put them in this position? Their apparently-best friends, who’ve had enough of their antics. Plus, all they can think about is “getting some fit birds” and lads and a reality show called “Party Summer”, until the morning after the night before, when the real hangover comes and it feels like the end is nigh.
Up for the ‘challenge’ (not) is Dani – a self-proclaimed Princess, ‘wild child’ Liv, Dan “the scrapper” – who’s “an absolute menace on a night out”, “reckless” Chloe, socialite “snob” Jay, “player” Amin, Alfonso (I didn’t catch his ‘speciality) and “disloyal” Rebecca.
Along the way, one of them describes the situation as “this is so peak” – can someone translate that into English, please? And another is criticised for “putting their dates before their mates“. Plus, Amin is a “fuckboy” – so is accused of acting like he thinks he’s it, but then most of the girls are shouting the odds, too.
That said, I agree with Liv’s stance on wanting lots of Jagerbombs. They are very moreish, but do watch out for the major hangover the next day, while Dani suggest a came of “pass the ice cube” (with your mouth), leading to Rylan to observe, “Has anyone heard of COVID19 round here(?)”
Meanwhile, they need a manager, and one of the girls refers to their experienced boss Lee as a “DILF”, i.e. Dad I’ve Love To Have A Drink With And A Nice Meal, I think; And when he asks, “Any questions?”, another girl asks, “Can I have a shot?”, to which Rylan comments, “Yeah, that’s exactly what you want to hear from your employees at 11am(!)”
When it comes to making drinks, can they cut a lime in half when long fingernails will get in the way? And can they stop downing the booze they’re meant to be serving?
So, I don’t normally entertain reality shows like Hot Mess Summer, but as I knew would be the case, Rylan makes it. And while I’ve only seen the first episode so far, prior to release, I’ll definitely be checking out more of this.
At one point, Liv claims “Rylan has fucked me over, big time” – So, it seems like I’m the only one who’s pleased to see him! 😀
Thanks to our friends at Prime Video for the screener prior to release.
Hot Mess Summer is on Prime Video from tomorrow.
Cert: 
Running time: 50-60 minutes per episode (6 episodes)
Release date: February 7th 2024
Studio: Prime Video
Format: 1.78:1 (16:9)
Series Director: Mike Parker
Series Producer: Sarah Church
Producers: Emma Inglis, Cameron Holt, Nicola Howlett, Toby Mott, Tominiyi Onagoruwa, Will Pentacost-Daley
Presenter: Rylan Clark
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.