Naked Attraction: The Controversial Reality Show Taking America By Storm

Whether you're tired of quiz shows or bored of wealthy housewives bickering, there's a new reality TV hit to pass the time.Naked Attraction has made its way across the Atlantic, and it’s quickly become America’s newest guilty pleasure. The controversial British dating show asks one lucky singleton to choose between six unclad contestants, whose bits and bobs are slowly revealed during three rounds.

After debuting on HBO's streaming platform Max last week, the show stunned viewers and quickly made its way to the streamer's top 10 list, with the first six seasons available to binge-watch right now. However, Naked Attraction is proving divisive. Here's everything you need to know about America’s newest guilty pleasure.

What Is Naked Attraction?

In Naked Attraction, a fully-clothed picker is asked to choose between six potential dates based on physical attraction alone. The contestants are hidden in six booths and gradually uncovered. In the first round, the chooser must eliminate two people based on their lower body—butts, legs, feet, and genitalia—followed by their upper body. Finally, the two remaining candidates' faces are revealed, with the chooser picking one to get to know better with clothes on.

The contestants' genders are selected based on the picker’s sexuality, and choosers can't speak to potential dates at all until their face is visible in the final round. The show is hosted by Anna Richardson, a TV presenter and journalist who has led several programs for Naked Attraction's original U.K. broadcaster Channel 4. The 53-year-old guides choosers as they filter out potential dates and has become well-known for her iconic one-liners.

Where Is Naked Attraction Streaming?

You can watch Naked Attraction on Max (formerly HBO Max) in the U.S., with six seasons currently available to stream. You can also stream Naked Attraction via Amazon Prime Video through a Max or Discovery+ subscription. In the U.K., Naked Attraction is available to stream free via Channel 4's website or its YouTube channel.

The show has aired 11 seasons in the U.K., although these shortened runs are comprised of four or five episodes, whereas the seasons on Max combine two UK batches together to present a total of 10 episodes in most seasons. Six episodes have aired in the U.K. in 2023 which have not yet made their way to Max.

Naked Attraction has spawned 10 international formats in countries including Italy, Germany, Russia, and Singapore. There’s no word yet on whether Max is considering a U.S. version of Naked Attraction, although the show’s success for the streamer would seem to indicate that there’s an audience for it.

What’s All the Controversy About?

Naked Attraction caused a bit of a stir when it first broadcast in the U.K. in 2016, receiving several Ofcom complaints. However, it appears to be even more polarizing in the U.S. The show has not gone down well with conservatives, with watchdog Parents Television Council criticizing HBO for airing Naked Attraction on its platform.

The organization has blasted streamers in the past, including slamming Disney+ for adding "mature" Marvel content to its platform and rallying Netflix to delay the second season of 13 Reasons Why over its depiction of teen suicide. The Parents Television Council declared that Naked Attraction should not exist on the Max streaming platform, calling the show exploitative and pornographic.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, executive producer Darrell Olsen said the U.S. reaction to Naked Attraction was to be expected. "You have 'I can't believe this is onscreen'—shock and outrage—mixed with, 'This is quite amazing,'" Olsen noted, adding that the show isn't for everyone, but curiosity is piqued across the board.

What Is the Internet Saying About Naked Attraction?

As Olsen predicted, social media users have plenty of thoughts about Naked Attraction. Users on platforms like X have shared their views, with some calling the show "a triiiip" and others describing it as "the most shocking show I have ever watched." One user humorously remarked that British contestants must be funny and charming due to their unique appearances.

Overall, viewer reactions are mixed, with some praising the show for its boldness and others expressing shock. Regardless, it's clear that Naked Attraction has sparked a significant conversation and remains a topic of interest in the reality TV landscape.