- After its recent premiere, "Naked Attraction" is already one of the most watched shows on Max.
- The Parents Television and Media Council has called on Warner Bros. to remove the series.
British dating show "Naked Attraction" has crossed the Atlantic and is causing a stir among US audiences.
The dating show, which originated on the UK's Channel 4 in 2016, follows singles of all different ages, body types, and sexualities as they try to find a love match. The twist? All of the potential matches are naked.
The reality series premiered on Max on September 20, and according to The Hollywood Reporter, the show topped the platform's list of most popular shows within a week.
Already, "Naked Attraction" has sparked some controversy, with the Parents Television and Media Council calling on Max to remove the series, claiming that the parental controls on the streaming service are not strict enough to stop children from accessing the show.
"The fact that HBO quietly added 'Naked Attraction' tells us everything we need to know: HBO is duplicitous. It gives the appearance of a trusted family brand by hosting 'Harry Potter' and 'Sesame Street,' but HBO has now lifted its own veil, revealing that it is and always was a pornography channel," said Melissa Henson, the group's vice president in a statement. A spokesperson for Max did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The dating show has become a major talking point on social media, as well as talk shows such as "Live with Kelly and Mark" and "The View" in the last week.
On "The View," the panel debated the premise of the show.
Alyssa Farah Griffin said: "It's the complete opposite of 'Love is Blind,' which is like, 'I'm going to get to know your personality and your soul and see if there's a relationship.'"
Cohost Ana Navarro said she preferred "The Great British Baking Show," and Sunny Hostin said she learned a lot from "Naked Attraction."
Here's why there is such a buzz around the series — and how you can watch it.
In 'Naked Attraction,' one clothed contestant must choose a date from a group of naked contestants
In each episode of "Naked Attraction," presenter Anna Richardson is joined by singles looking for love.
At first, a clothed contestant stands in front of six booths with translucent panels that each contain a nude contestant.
As the game progresses and potential matches are eliminated in each round based on the clothed contestant's criteria, the panel is raised to reveal more of the nude contestants' bodies, ranging from their feet to their chests.
When nude contestants are eliminated from the competition, they then reveal their faces to the clothed contestant.
When there's only one nude contestant left, the clothed contestant also strips, and the pair meet for the first time fully naked and decide if they want to go out on a date.
Each episode ends with an update on how the date went and their relationship afterward.
This is not the first time 'Naked Attraction' has caused controversy
"Naked Attraction" has come under fire from viewers in its native UK over its explicit nudity in the past.
Over the years, the show has prompted complaints to the UK broadcasting regulator Ofcom.
However, an Ofcom spokesperson said in 2017 that it would not open an investigation into the show, saying the network aired clear warnings before broadcast.
"We found that the material was justified by the context of the programme, which is aimed at an adult audience and attempts to explore the nature of physical attraction," the spokesperson said.
Others have defended the show, praising its inclusion of all different body types as well as transgender and nonbinary contestants, as well as people with disabilities.
Joel Golby wrote in the Guardian in 2019: "'Naked Attraction' is nakedness as humanity – old, young, large, small, hairy, plucked – and it is curiously heartening."
Casey Bloys, head of content for Max, also defended the series during Vox Media's Code 2023 conference last week, as reported by Reuters.
"I will remind you that HBO is the home of 'Real Sex' and 'Cathouse,'" Bloys said. "You need an entire mix of programming."
The first six seasons of 'Naked Attraction' are available on Max
The first six seasons of "Naked Attraction" are available on Max.
Season one has five episodes and season six, which premiered last year, has eight episodes. The other seasons contain 10 episodes each.
"Naked Attraction" has also been adapted across Europe, with iterations airing in Germany, Italy, Sweden, and the Netherlands.