Julien Neaves, Caribbean Head Writer
We don’t do a lot of reality content here at Robot Mango Reviews, aside from Alice’s paranormal investigation articles. I don’t watch a lot of it myself, with the last being the cheese-tastic dating show Naked and Afraid of Love where singles dated in the buff. But I received a request to check out the Trinidad and Tobago reality dating webseries Java Singles Pop the Balloon or Find Love Trinidad Bikini Edition (and now I’m out of breath) and I will say that it was better than expected.
The show, a production of Hot Off “D” Press and Morris MEDIA, utilises the social media trend of dating via popping ballons. If you like the person, you keep/leave the balloons alone, if you don’t, you pop your own balloon or pop theirs. It’s simple but effective. In Java Singles (yeah, I’m not writing out the whole title again) we have charismatic host Ashley Baptiste with a single lady choosing from a group of single guys. The premiere episode is at Chaquacabana Resort and Beach Club and the highlight is Joshua who is way too into his mango. Watch it and you will see what I mean.
The second episode is set at Patsy’s Bake and Shark at the famous Maracas Beach. The highlight of this one is easily local entertainer Jules from Jules Entertainment as one of the daters. And he delivers on the laughs, whether it is various pseudonyms, his corny lyrics or his “self-defence” balloon popping.
The show overall is pretty funny, and seeing people pop their balloons or have their balloons popped never gets old. Java Singles also incorporates memes and comedic camera effects which heighten the humour. The production quality is also surprisingly high, and I can see the series making the transition to television with ease. And despite “bikini” being in the title, the show never feels like it is exploiting the ladies or overly sexualising them. The conversations do get a bit adult at times, so this is not one to watch with the kiddies.
So, if you are in the mood for some dating levity with heavy Trini flavour then do click on Java Singles.
Editor Jules’ Score: 7 out of 10
You can watch Episode 1 by clicking here and Episode 2 by clicking here. And you can check out more dating-related Trini content below:
Julien “Editor Jules” Neaves is a TARDIS-flying, Force-using Trekkie whose bedroom stories were by the Cryptkeeper, learned to be a superhero from Marvel, but dreams of being Batman. I love promoting Caribbean film (Cariwood), creating board games and I am an aspiring author. I say things like “13 flavours of awesome sauce”. Read more.