FBoy Island


FBoy Island is an American dating reality television series which focuses on three women trying to identify the male contestants as either womanizers or seeking a serious relationship. The series is hosted by Nikki Glaser and premiered on July 29, 2021, on HBO Max.
In August 2021, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on July 14, 2022. In December 2022, the series was canceled, with STXalternative planning to shop the series elsewhere. It was also removed from the streaming service. In March 2023, The CW picked up the show for a third season, along with its spinoff Lovers and Liars.
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Premise

Hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser, the show centers on three female contestants and 24 male counterparts. Of the men, 12 are self-professed nice guys, while the other half identify as fboys, the former being interested in forming a relationship and splitting the $100,000 prize, while the latter are competing for the $100,000 cash prize.
During the progression of each episode, the women select men to go out with. The ending of the episode consisting of three men being chosen to be eliminated and afterwards revealing if they are a nice guy or not. While the nice guys that are eliminated are sent to a mansion called "Nice Guy Grotto" in a limousine, the fboys, sometimes also called Lotharios, are sent to "Limbro". This place lacks luxury and consists of huts made from bamboo, cots and hay-filled pillows. At some point in the first half of the series, the remaining male contestants reveal their own labels to the women and audience. The show always uses the abbreviation fboy; never during the complete run of the show is the full term fuckboy used by the contestants and host.
Apart from being entertainment, creator Elan Gale has stated that the show's alternative purpose is "to try to see if people can change for the right person," with the playboys becoming better partners and the "nice guys" getting recognition for their personality.

Season 1

Contestant progress

;Key

Season 2

Male contestants

Returning contestants from season 1 included: Peter Park, Garrett Morosky, and finalist Casey Johnson.
GuysCategoryAgeOccupationHometownEntranceEliminated
Mercedes KnoxFBoy25Human ResourcesDallas, TXEpisode 1Louise's Pick
Peter ParkFboy31Daycare Worker/ModelSpringfield, VAEpisode 1Mia's Pick
Benedict PolizziNice Guy31ComedianIndianapolis, INEpisode 1Episode 10
Casey JohnsonNice Guy25Marketing Account ExecutiveToledo, OHEpisode 3Episode 10
Danny LouisaFboy31ElectricianStaten Island, NYEpisode 1Episode 10
Niko PilalisNice Guy29Medical Device SalesChicago, ILEpisode 9
Episode 1		Episode 10
Episode 5
Tom CarnifaxNice Guy24Fitness InfluencerWarren, OHEpisode 1Episode 9
Kian LewisFboy27AccountantSpartanburg, SCEpisode 1Episode 8
Nick WarfieldFboy28Graphic DesignerGrand Rapids, MIEpisode 1Episode 8
Asanté TaitNice Guy27Stylist/Fashion CuratorAtlanta, GAEpisode 1Episode 8
Braydon ElgarFboy22SoundCloud RapperBloomington, INEpisode 1Episode 7
Aaron SpadyNice Guy30Health & Wellness CoachMiami, FLEpisode 3Episode 7
JaBriane RossNice Guy28Healthcare WorkerSacramento, CAEpisode 1Episode 7
Dewayne RogersNice Guy26Behavioral TherapistBoston, MAEpisode 1Episode 5
Austin SikoraFboy25Doping Control OfficerRockford, ILEpisode 3Episode 5
A.C. LongNice Guy28Software ConsultantKansas City, MOEpisode 1Episode 4
Elijah ConnollyFboy23Non-profit CoordinatorWaldorf, MDEpisode 3Episode 4
Kyland Hewett-NewbillFboy24College StudentSpringfield, MOEpisode 1Episode 4
Noam AtzilFboy27LocksmithHonolulu, HIEpisode 1Episode 4
Brant WeissNice Guy27Regional Sales DirectorColumbus, OHEpisode 1Episode 4
Jeremy EdbergNice Guy33Personal TrainerLos Angeles, CAEpisode 1Episode 4
Ilon HaoNice Guy30Model/Fitness InfluencerSugarland, TXEpisode 1Episode 3
Jared SeayNice Guy25Model/Content CreatorSan Diego, CAEpisode 1Episode 3
Michael DakessianFBoy27Martial Arts SpecialistHowell, NJEpisode 1Episode 3
Carlos LopezNice Guy30Realtor/Personal TrainerBurley, IDEpisode 1Episode 2
Nikolay PranchenkoFBoy29ServerLos Angeles, CAEpisode 1Episode 2
Nick PriolaFBoy26Fitness CoachHouston, TXEpisode 1Episode 2
Zachary WamboldFBoy25Bartender/StudentToledo, OHEpisode 1Episode 1
Lukasz YoderFBoy21Concert PianistLos Angeles, CAEpisode 1Episode 1
John MgBemenaNice Guy28Pharmacy TechnicianAtlanta, GAEpisode 1Episode 1

;Notes

Contestant progress

;Key

Season 3

Male contestants

The season featured returning contestants Mercedes Knox, Benedict Polizzi and Danny Louisa.
GuysCategoryAgeOccupationHometownEntranceEliminated
Vince X.Nice Guy31LawyerLos Angeles, CAEpisode 1Katie's Pick
Mercedes K.FBoy27Season 2 winnerDallas, TXEpisode 3Hali's Pick
Christian L.Nice Guy30Teacher/coachHouston, TXEpisode 1Daniella's Pick
Benedict P.FBoy33Comedian/modelIndianapolis, INEpisode 3Episode 10
Elijah D.FBoy25Trucking Company co-ownerHouston, TXEpisode 1Episode 10
Jared A.FBoy24Model/entrepreneurMiami, FLEpisode 1Episode 10
Marco D.Nice Guy28Auditor/comedianWest Hollywood, CAEpisode 1Episode 8
Evander C.FBoy25Personal trainerMilwaukee, WIEpisode 1Episode 8
Curtis "CJ" W.FBoy24Basketball playerDallas, TXEpisode 1Episode 8
Elisha D.FBoy25Trucking Company co-ownerHouston, TXEpisode 1Episode 6
Keith M.FBoy30Opera singerLas Vegas, NVEpisode 1Episode 6
Danny L.Nice Guy32Niko's step fatherMiami, FLEpisode 3Episode 6
Jonathan T.Nice Guy31Fashion creative directorLos Angeles, CAEpisode 1Episode 5
Pierce W.Nice Guy28Yoga teacherLos Angeles, CAEpisode 1Episode 5
Deonte "Marquies" P.Nice Guy25Fitness coachDallas, TXEpisode 1Episode 5
Connor F.FBoy26DJ/Healthcare consultantKansas City, MOEpisode 1Episode 3
Nyk R.Nice Guy32Singer songwriterLos Angeles, CAEpisode 1Episode 3
Steven C.FBoy23FinanceSt. Petersburgh, FLEpisode 1Episode 3
Tanner G.Nice Guy25Manual therapist/cyber securityAnaheim, CAEpisode 1Episode 2
Kris T.FBoy25Sales for a Medical Marketing CompanySan Diego, CAEpisode 1Episode 2
Bryce G.Nice Guy28Consulting Firm ownerLos Angeles, CAEpisode 1Episode 2
Dio P.Nice Guy30Chippendales dancerLas Vegas, NVEpisode 1Episode 1
Shaun P.FBoy29Personal trainerLos Angeles, CAEpisode 1Episode 1
Ian M.FBoy22Hospitality & Branding AgencyNashville, TNEpisode 1Episode 1

Contestant progress

;Key

Production

The series was created by The Bachelor producer Elan Gale and showrun by Sam Dean. Executive producers included host Nikki Glaser, Ben Bitoni, Sam Dean, Elan Gale and Jason Goldberg. The title comes from the slang term fuck boy, used to refer to a male womanizer. HBO Max marketed it as "a social experiment that asks the age-old question: Can FBoys truly reform, or do Nice Guys always finish last?"
The series premiered on the streaming service on July 29, 2021, with the simultaneous release of its first three episodes, with another three being released on August 5 and the final four on August 12. Upon release, it became the streaming service's most-watched reality program. On August 18, 2021, HBO Max renewed the series for a second season.
On December 5, 2022, HBO Max canceled the series, with the show's production company, STXalternative, shopping it to other networks and platforms. On March 16, 2023, it was reported that The CW had picked up the series for a third season, along with the spinoff FGirl Island. On May 2, 2023, it was announced that Glaser would return as the host, and that the third season would premiere on July 16, 2023,
On September 28, 2023, it was announced that the third season would premiere on October 16, 2023.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

The series was filmed in the Cayman Islands, in part due to "its low number of COVID-19 cases" with the cast having to arrive at Grand Cayman 14 days before shooting commenced in March 2021 to quarantine and be tested for COVID-19 on alternate days until April.

Lawsuit

On May 2, 2023, producer and writer Jack Piuggi of Flipp Productions, LLC filed a lawsuit claiming the show's concept was stolen from him, alleging he shared the concept of a reality-based documentary called "Instafamous" under a non-disclosure agreement with production companies affiliated with HBO. On February 24, 2025, the court ordered the complaint dismissed with Prejudice. Upon review, the court determined that Instafamous was not substantially similar to either Fake Famous or FBoy Island. The court found that the "total concept and feel" of the works were vastly different. The court concluded that Jack Piuggi had failed to establish substantial similarity and dismissed the claim.

International releases

In the UK, BBC Three acquired the show. On April 28, 2022, HBO Max announced local versions for Denmark, Sweden, Spain, and The Netherlands.

Adaptations

A New Zealand adaptation began airing on TVNZ in October 2022, hosted by Shav Ruakere and filmed in the Cook Islands. One of the male contestants named Wayde Moore was edited out of the show prior to the premiere after it was learned that he had been on trial for attempted suffocation of a drunken woman; he was found not guilty but the judge described his behavior as "deeply inappropriate and disrespectful".
An Australian adaptation was announced by Foxtel in October 2022 and was released on its streaming service, Binge, from May 2023. It was hosted by Abbie Chatfield and was filmed in Casuarina, which is located in north-eastern New South Wales in the Tweed Shire.

Reception

Salon.coms Kylie Chung called the show "highly self-aware and entertainingly self-deprecating," while pointing out its central theme of "couple goals", when the female contestants choose their partners. In a separate Salon.com review Melanie McFarland commented that the show "flaunts its identity as the messy, issues-burdened lovechild of dating app culture as brightly as a neon wristband," mentioning that it is destined for both fans as well as critiques as the genre, such as commenting that the women shrug off the misogyny the men express and hoping they can alter their behavior." Lea Palmieri, writing for Decider, stated that it "feels like a modern dating show throughout" since "it takes itself less seriously and celebrates how silly it is that this show even exists."
The Washington Posts Inkoo Kang commented that it "works so well because it takes the 'fboy' part seriously: They're there to be ogled, judged and ultimately taken down a peg" which creates "something encouraging about a show that isn't just about whether a woman can find a man, but the right one for her." For her part, Times Judy Berman, in a two-show review of the series and Sexy Beasts, commented on the former that it "happens to be a funny, addictive, shrewdly executed twist on a familiar format. I can't say the same for Beasts," and calling the female contestants "relatively intelligent and perceptive, but also generally have each other's backs." The A.V. Clubs Danette Chaves concurred with Berman, calling the women "likable and clear-eyed about the choices they're making," concluding that the show "is a work in progress, but still worth checking out."
Other critics were not as favorable, such as Varietys Caroline Framke, who started her review by stating that "t didn't take long for FBoy Island to make me feel like my brain was leaking out my ears, drip by stupefied drip," calling the use of the abbreviated term fboys "one of most baffling, annoying mysteries." For her part, Alessa Dominguez of BuzzFeed News called it "an anemic The Bachelorette", observing the lack of time "to get to know anyone … and the guys all play even bigger caricatures of the types favored by the typical reality show," calling the men "even more one-dimensional than the women." Metro Weeklys André Hereford partly agreed with Berman, Chaves and Dominguez's characterizations of the female contestants stating, " are all likable, but they don't make astute choices," giving the show two out of five stars for " a few jaw-dropping twists till the end, which might be too late for some who have already escaped to more inviting shores." While The Daily Beasts Cheyenne Roundtree wrote that it "somehow manages to teeter between an exciting, funny concept and a half-baked idea that needs to work out its kinks," the latter referring to scenes such as when the remaining contestants reveal their label and yet the women continue to foster relationships with some of the fboys. Megan Reynolds of Jezebel stated that "dating shows are past the point of reinvention," with the " to place the power back in the hands of the women, a limp gesture towards something that could be called feminism."