Italian television is traditionally better known for variety shows than world-beating reality formats.
In a country where broadcasters are more inclined to adapt big international titles such as The Voice and Got Talent, Banijay Group-owned Magnolia Italy is hoping to score a breakout hit for the market with the dating series Undressed.
In a reversal of the typical first-date scenario, the show asks two strangers who are meeting for the first time to undress each other and get into bed. The pair then spends 30 minutes lounging in their underwear as a big-screen TV asks questions and assigns various tasks designed to foster intimacy. At the end, they must decide to stay in bed or make an exit.
So far, the Zodiak Rights-distributed Undressed has been a hit in Italy where Discovery Networks International-owned lifestyle net Nove ordered a 40-episode second season, three episodes into season one. TLC in the Netherlands is in the midst of airing a Dutch version, and production recently wrapped on the UK and Ireland version, also set to air on TLC. Meanwhile, SBS has picked up the format for Australia.
