Resist further \'Temptation\'

Sadly, the island of debauchery and temptation has closed up shop, unless Fox has plans for a sequel to the amazingly popular show "Temptation Island." In the final episode Feb. 28, the three remaing couples Billy and Mandy, Andy and Shannon and Kaya and Valerie decided the fates of their troubled relationships. \nWell, they must be somewhat troubled if the only arena they needed to test their relationships was a deserted island filled with sexy singles whose main job was to tempt. So having watched this show and the commercials with blurbs that mislead the viewer, I assumed something was going down on the island. \nThe only thing that went down was the most boring episode of the entire series. While watching, I realized in the time I had spent watching this show, I could have picked up a new hobby or done something productive. \nThis episode began with a recap of the couples' final "dream" dates. Shannon and Tom, "the Ivy League grad" (Every tempter has a title that is similar.) apparently spent the whole night talking until the sun came up. How romantic! Andy and Elisabeth lounged at a spa where he kept pestering her about her dual personalities. Valerie gave her date, Dano, the vibe that she was counting down the minutes she would be reunited with Kaya. Kaya and his date Alison made a "romantic connection" that leads you to believe he might not want Valerie anymore. Billy and Vanessa's date is the most suggestive, showing the couple lying in bed together. Mandy and her date Jon make out all night long, with Mandy worrying if Billy will find out. \nThe final scenes show the couples talking to host and producer Mark L. Wahlberg alone and then together. The final scene was straight out of an 1980s sappy love movie. Complete with scripted sappy lines, tears and horrendous music. But worse than that the outcome: Four couples (including the two that were on a separate island) after five episodes of making out and looking guilty actually stayed together. \nCompliments of the show, there were updates on each couple. Andy and Shannon got engaged 10 minutes after their last talk at the fire, Mandy and Billy have a passionate long distance relationship, and Kaya and Valerie holed up for seven days in their condo to "reconnect." Yes, the show is immoral. Yes, you have to feel bad for these people (There isn't even a grand prize.). Yes, you don't want to admit that you watch such immoral philandering. But unlike other reality TV shows such as "Real World" or "Survivor," there was no climax and no surprises. Reality TV is supposed to be edgy and real. "Temptation Island" is nothing more than bikini-clad girls and Speedo-wearing guys frolicking on a beach, hoping some important producer or casting agent will give them a call.