Too Hot to Handle is currently one of the most popular reality shows worldwide. The dating show follows 10 attractive people living together in a villa in a tropical setting. Up to this point, everything is reminiscent of well-known formats such as Love Island. The twist in the Netflix production: the participants have to refrain from kissing, sex and masturbation, otherwise the prize money of 200,000 euros will shrink. The German version of the show has been running since February 28: Too Hot To Handle Germany.
We have the ex-candidate Dennis Dromer met for an interview. He spoke about the reasons for his early departure. And he revealed why the therapist on the set of Too Hot To Handle Germany was vital for the participants.
Moviepilot: You have already worked successfully as a model. What drew you to reality TV?
Dennis Droemer: I thought that it wasn’t trash TV in the sense of RTL, RTLZWEI and whatever you’re familiar with. I’ve been approached twice by Love Island and declined both times. You have to be very careful about the format you work with, because otherwise you could lose a lot of customers. It was very important to me not to be in a format where it’s about compulsively getting into bed with someone. With the Netflix show, I assumed it might be something brand new. For example, you form a group and just get creative. That was my problem.
You left Too Hot To Handle: Germany voluntarily after two episodes. Why?
I have a son who is now five and an adorable ex-wife. I just have to be careful with my reputation. I didn’t feel good myself and saw the whole time in the daycare center picking up my child and suddenly being pointed at me and my son. So I talked to Netflix and they gave me the gift of opting out.
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What exactly did Netflix tell you beforehand? What were you told which show you were on?
The show would be called Tropical Desire and it would be about young, pretty people who are on an island and partying. I then asked extra three times and was told that it’s not about sex, but that you can have a good experience and fun like that. I was probably a bit naïve about it. I didn’t find out I got into another show until it really got going. And I don’t stand for that. I’m too sophisticated for that.
Was it also a problem for the other participants that they were in a completely different show?
None of them knew what it was really about and were a bit flabbergasted. Except for two or three people. They dealt more with trash TV, entered the name of the production company into Google and then Too Hot To Handle came out.
With reality shows, many viewers keep getting the impression that not everything is real. How was Too Hot To Handle: Germany?
We are a totally real format. But of course there are always situations where the production asks if it could be tackled again.
can you give an example
When we came in, you could see that Laura and Tobi got along relatively well. Then there are small door openers that make things happen faster. Sometimes too fast, especially in the first two days. There were a few scenes that were set, of course, where it was said, “Please talk about it today or about it.” So that different images are created. But in itself all this is real. They see a situation and enable it without you noticing. In retrospect, you think: “But they were clever.”
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How does normal everyday life in the villa work?
We got up in the morning, usually at 7 or 8. Then we did a little sport and had breakfast, and then the daily business started. Then it was mostly shot until 6 or 7 p.m. in the evening and at 10 p.m. we went to bed.
That sounds like a normal working day. Does a day of shooting at Too Hot to Handle feel like regular work?
The main time is from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., but we are filmed 24 hours a day. The real danger are these night vision cameras. Because then of course you forget that there are still cameras when the whole production is already back at the hotel. It’s not like we can take a step without a camera. They even move when we walk! There were also cameras that we didn’t see hanging somewhere up in the tree.
Despite all the cameras, is there anything you feel is important that Netflix viewers haven’t been shown?
I think Netflix did that very well. Nobody looks stupid in any way, we weren’t all portrayed as stupid. There was a moment or two where I was like, “Guys, can you just cut that out?” In the first two days in particular, jokes were sometimes thrown out or made about the women, and we then realized how uncool it actually was. I took others aside for a moment and said: “You mustn’t forget, mom and dad are sitting in front of the television. It stays forever, you won’t get it off Netflix in ten years.”
Now that you look back on the Too Hot time, on those two episodes you did, how do you feel about Netflix now?
I’m really happy with the way they presented me. I was a bit scared that there might be a problem on Netflix’s end because I quit after two episodes. Especially in the first season of Too Hot To Handle: Germany, where everyone is trembling, wanting to do everything perfectly, the guy also gets out in the second episode. You should have seen how they looked. I was sorry about that. But we just solved it brilliantly and our great therapist on site also did a good job.
What was the therapist’s job?
If you have questions, if you don’t feel comfortable in a situation, if stressful moments arise or if you’re a little homesick or unsure of how you presented yourself in front of the camera – then it builds us up. It’s really an important part, even after the show. Because you don’t stop thinking about everything: was everything correct, did I present myself correctly, am I doing well? These are all such blatant thoughts that wear your head down. Especially when you’re told: “It’s running worldwide, millions of people are watching it. Everyone will know you”. There’s a lot going on in your head and if you don’t have anyone there to support you, you really have a problem.
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