Love on the Spectrum (Australian TV series)

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Love on the Spectrum
GenreReality show
Created byCian O'Clery
Directed byCian O'Clery
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes9
Production
Running time58 minutes
Production companyNorthern Pictures
Original release
NetworkABC TV
Release19 November 2019 (2019-11-19) –
18 May 2021 (2021-05-18)

Love on the Spectrum is an Australian reality television show that follows people on the autism spectrum as they explore the dating world.[1] The show is produced by Northern Pictures for ABC TV,[2] and was made available to stream on ABC iview and Netflix (where it is known as Love on the Spectrum Australia).[1][3]

The show is co-created by Cian O'Clery, who got the idea for the series after working on Employable Me about people with different disabilities trying to find employment.[4]

Release[edit]

Love on the Spectrum first aired on the ABC in November 2019.[5][6] In July 2020, it was released on Netflix to other territories.[7][8] A second season was confirmed in September 2020 and premiered on 18 May 2021.[9][10]

Cast[edit]

Cast members
Cast member Seasons
1 2
Jodi Rodgers Relationship coach
Michael Main
Kelvin Main
Chloe Main
Maddi Main
Olivia Main
Mark Main
Andrew Main
Ruth & Thomas Main
Jimmy & Sharnae Main
Ronan Main
Kassandra Main
Teo Main
Jayden Main

[11][12]

Reception[edit]

The show has received positive reviews from critics. It was awarded 4 out 5 stars by Rebecca Nicholson of The Guardian, saying that "at its best, this show is a compassionate, human celebration of difference, and of love."[13] Brett White of Decider recommended for viewers to stream the show, observing that "Love on the Spectrum is unlike any Netflix reality dating show you've seen before, in the best way."[14] Alison Foreman of Mashable gave the show a positive review, saying that "Love on the Spectrum is an affecting show that paints telling portraits of human connection that are so lovely, so moving, and so wholly satisfying, it's hard to imagine reality dating being done any other way",[15] while Brian Lowry of CNN Entertainment said that the show "exhibits empathy toward the featured players without condescending toward them, and quickly bridges any cultural barriers in a broadly universal manner."[16] In his review of the series, Daniel Hart of Ready Steady Cut was also positive, concluding that "a reality series that helps to dispel some of the stigma surrounding autism is particularly welcome."[17] Although Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune was somewhat more critical of certain parts of the series, he nevertheless observed that "Unlike Tiger King or The Bachelor, or certain real-life political reality shows that lost touch with the real world a long time ago, Love on the Spectrum is about empathy. And about something more interesting than contempt."[18]

Autistic reviewers generally liked the show but questioned aspects such as editing choices, focusing on parental reactions and the neurotypical coaching, that preferenced neurotypical perspectives and infantalised the neurodivergent cast members.[19] Sara Luterman from Spectrum said "The show is also riddled with bad advice and is frequently infantilizing. There are more interviews with parents than with the people the show is ostensibly about... The therapy and assistance offered to the young people featured on the show is similarly out of touch."[20] Sarah Kurchak from Time asked: "Is the score a bit too cutesy for a show about adults and dating? Would the close-ups on potentially eccentric clothing choices have happened if their subjects were neurotypical? Were the introductions that listed their subjects' "quirky" likes and dislikes genuinely informative or infantilizing?"[21] Joseph Stanichar from Paste said "Love on the Spectrum isn't perfect, especially in its first season ... some of the questions posed seem inappropriate or infantilizing, even down to the tone of voice, and the music is occasionally too cutesy for adults going on dates."[22]

American version[edit]

An American version of the show, titled Love on the Spectrum U.S. premiered on 18 May 2022 on Netflix.[23][24] It is also produced by Northern Pictures with Karina Holden and Cian O'Clery as executive producers.[25] The series was renewed for a second season in September 2022. It premiered on 19 January 2024.[26]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "'Love on the Spectrum': An unscripted Netflix series from Australia may be just what the summer needed". Chicago Tribune. 15 July 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  2. ^ "Love on the Spectrum". Northern Pictures. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  3. ^ "'Love on the Spectrum' Trailer: Netflix Docuseries Explores Dating With Autism (Video)". The Wrap. 7 July 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  4. ^ 12 Things You Should Know About Love On The Spectrum - Screen Rant
  5. ^ Knox, David (25 October 2019). "Airdate: Love on the Spectrum | TV Tonight". tvtonight. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  6. ^ Russell, Stephen (18 November 2019). "Love on the Spectrum: The gorgeous show making The Bachelor look boring". The New Daily. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  7. ^ Kurchak, Sarah (24 July 2020). "The Promise—and Pitfalls—of Netflix's New Reality Dating Show for Autistic People". Time. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  8. ^ Chilton, Louis (24 July 2020). "'Heartwarming' Netflix dating show Love on the Spectrum praised by critics". The Independent. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  9. ^ Martin, Josh (8 September 2020). "'Love on The Spectrum' Season 2 greenlit in new Screen Australia documentary funding round". NME Australia. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  10. ^ Malivindi, Diandra (23 April 2021). "'Love On The Spectrum' Is Back For Season Two, And Yes, It's Just As Wholesome As Ever". Marie Claire. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  11. ^ Freedman, Adrianna (21 July 2020). "Meet the Cast of Netflix's New Dating Series 'Love on the Spectrum'". Menshealth.com. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  12. ^ "'Love on the Spectrum' Season 2 Cast Guide: Who's Who in Netflix's Autism Dating Show". Decider.com. 21 September 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  13. ^ "Love on the Spectrum review – a dating show that celebrates autism". The Guardian. 22 July 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  14. ^ "Stream It or Skip It: 'Love on the Spectrum' on Netflix, a Dating Show About Autistic Singles". 22 July 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  15. ^ Foreman, Alison (22 July 2020). "Netflix's 'Love on the Spectrum' will give you endless butterflies". Mashable.com. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  16. ^ Brian Lowry (22 July 2020). "'Love on the Spectrum' and 'Fear City' add more love and crime to Netflix's docuseries lineup". Cnn.com. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  17. ^ "Love on the Spectrum review - a heartwarming dating series highlighting autism and love". Ready Steady Cut. 22 July 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  18. ^ Phillips, Michael (15 July 2020). "'Love on the Spectrum': An unscripted Netflix series from Australia may be just what the summer needed". Chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  19. ^ "Love on the Spectrum (Review by Autistic Person)". YouTube.
  20. ^ "Review: 'Love on the Spectrum' is kind, but unrepresentative". 18 August 2020.
  21. ^ "The Promise—and Pitfalls—of Netflix's New Reality Dating Show for Autistic People". 24 July 2020.
  22. ^ "How Love on the Spectrum Illuminates Dating Joys and Challenges for Those with Autism". 28 September 2021.
  23. ^ Reese, Ashley (24 March 2022). "Get Ready for the US Version of 'Love on the Spectrum'". Netflix Tudum.
  24. ^ George, Crystal (4 May 2022). "Love on the Spectrum U.S. release date, synopsis, trailer and more". Netflix Life.
  25. ^ Rice, Lynette (24 March 2022). "Netflix Orders More 'Love Is Blind' & 'Indian Matchmaking,' Plus U.S. Version of 'Love On The Spectrum'". Deadline Hollywood.
  26. ^ White, Peter (22 September 2022). "Love On The Spectrum Renewed For Season 2 & The Ultimatum Expanding At Netflix". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 22 September 2022.

External links[edit]

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