Is 90 Day Fiancé the reality series that’s going to keep us all sane during this pandemic? Probably. I mean, Hannah Brown has left Tyler Cameron’s quarantine crew and some of our favorite shows are on hold. Also, 90 Day Fiancé is literally a franchise about falling in love online (a.k.a our current situation). And get this: a social distancing spinoff is coming soon. Yup.
According to a Variety exclusive from April 2, TLC is whipping up a new limited series called 90 Day Fiancé: Self Quarantined. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. The reunion series will bring back your faves for five episodes beginning on April 20. Over 40 cast members have already signed on.
I mean, it’s not like they haven’t got experience with video chats. TLC’s president and general manager, Howard Lee, pointed out that talking over a computer screen is “already in their DNA.”
“Our crew is not near them physically at all,” Lee said. “They will be helping them remotely. And they have no problem with this, the couples. They’re seizing this opportunity. I think that they’re actually really enjoying it, being able to show a part of their lives at home.”
Don’t expect too much from the production side, of course. In keeping with lock-down rules and social distancing requirements, there will be no film crews. “This series will look very hot-off-the-press—it will look like the paint has not dried,” Lee said. “I think our audience is incredibly forgiving right now, and I’m hoping that they accept the way it looks. It will be messy!” Isn’t “messy” kind of the whole point, anyway?
So, who’s in? Darcey, for one. The most recent season’s Emily and Sasha, for another. Then there’s Pedro and Chantel, who have been featured on 90 Day Fiancé, Happily Ever After?, and the eight-episode special, The Family Chantel. There are about 17 pairs and eight singles set to join in via Skype (or Zoom or whatever). “This is just a sampling,” Lee said. “We’re still working with many of them and trying to see who we can get.”
Honestly, we’ll take whatever we can get right now.