If there's one thing Netflix loves, it's concocting weird circumstances for people to try to find their soul mate. Want to fall in love through a wall? Love Is Blind. Super hot but can't touch each other? Too Hot to Handle. Desire to date in front of your significant other in a ploy to get them to propose? Try The Ultimatum.
Your latest binge, Dated and Related, is no exception to this rule. If you've ever wanted to try your hand at reality television romance while living in close quarters with your sibling, this is the show for you.
People have a *lot* of questions about this one, and it's understandable with a name like Dated & Related. Here's everything you need to know about the new reality show:
The first (and most important) thing to know is that no one is dating their own relative on this show, despite its confusing name. The contestants just date other people with guidance and input from their relatives. The goal is also to be the very best wingman and wingwoman you can possibly be. More on that in a sec.
Finding love is hard, host Melinda Berry muses in episode 1, so what better way to find ~the one~ than with someone who knows you better than anyone else? Melinda (viewers may remember from season 2 of Too Hot To Handle) says she talks to her 14 (!!) siblings about her many dating quandaries, because they know her better than she knows herself.
"Having the person who knows you better than anyone should help you navigate the tricky world of dating. But will they act as the ultimate wingman and help you find love? Or scupper your plans and call you out on all your bullsh*t?" Netflix explained. "Either way it might just be Awkward. As. Hell."
The jury is still out on whether this method will work. Only time will tell.
This is your classic reality television set-up replete with hidden cameras in the bathrooms and a cast of incredibly attractive humans. The catch, however, is that you enter the stunning villa in the South of France with someone who is related to you.
The contestants all sleep in one room, in a twin bed attached to their relative. This unique predicament leads one beautiful British woman to ask her brother, "How do you feel about me and him [the "date"] maybe sharing a bed?" Understandably, her brother responds that it would be a bit weird.
Oh, and the sibling pairs also go on double dates with other sets of relatives, which is, again...awkward AF.
This inaugural season, the cast includes three sets of siblings, two sets of twins, and, inexplicably, Chris and Jason, Italian cousins from New Jersey. So, that's 12 eager reality stars looking for love.
However, Melinda will be introducing newcomers throughout the episodes, according to Today. And other cast members will get eliminated each week.
The winning family group goes home with a $100,000 grand prize, and while there are certainly challenges, dates, and wing(wo)man opportunities galore, it's still not super clear how one technically "wins."
This chaotic Netflix original comes to your TV on Friday, September 2.
There are 10 glorious episodes of this show, and trust me when I tell you that you'll be glued to your screen.
Stay tuned for more Dated & Related spoilers and updates!