EXCLUSIVE: MTV's sexually fluid dating show Are You The One? is 'so explicit' the season eight premiere almost didn't make it to air
It's set to be the most controversial season in the reality show's five-year history, with 16 sexually fluid contestants hoping to find their perfect match.
And while season eight of MTV's dating show Are You The One? will make reality show history in the United States when it airs on Wednesday, DailyMail.com can now reveal the show almost didn't make its premiere date.
This new mix, with the potential for contestants to hook-up with anyone - not just the opposite sex - means there's a lot more action than previous seasons and it's racier than ever.
Too much for primetime: Controversial MTV dating show Are You The One? almost didn't make it to air because of issues with standards and ratings, a source revealed to DailyMail.com
This will be interesting: For the first time in US reality TV history the whole cast will be sexually fluid, meaning that contestants won't just be hooking up with the opposite sex
A production insider told DailyMail.com that the new iteration of the show meant it almost didn't get cleared to air because it was so unsuitable for primetime viewing.
They claim that the sheer amount of 'sexual situations, explicit language and sexual imagery' meant producers came up against standards and ratings issues.
'There's more than threesomes, put it that way' our source revealed.
The monitoring board wanted to give the new season a TV-MA rating, meaning it would not be permitted to air at its planned time slot of 9pm on Wednesday.
Explicit: A production insider tells DailyMail.com that the new iteration of the show meant it almost didn't get cleared to air because it was 'unsuitable for primetime viewing'
Bonding: The 16 men and women in their 20s, who will be dropped off in Hawaii for a month and a half in hopes of finding the perfect match, will also be competing for a $1 million grand prize
Official rating guidelines state a TV-MA program 'is intended to be viewed by adults and therefore may be unsuitable for children under 17' and is only permitted to air from 10pm onwards.
Our source told us that there had to be numerous edits to footage to ensure it met the rating standards for TV-14 - for content aired after 5pm and suitable for those over the age of 14 years.
MTV couldn't be reached for comment.
The 16 men and women in their 20s, who will be dropped off in Hawaii for a month and a half in hopes of finding the perfect match, will also be competing for a $1 million grand prize.
Too much: The monitoring board wanted to give the new season a TV-MA rating, meaning it would not be permitted to air at 9pm on Wednesday
They each have a match pre-determined by matchmakers and their job is to find out who it is with the help of variety of challenges and dates.
The cast members will share one bedroom with one massive bed and there are cameras in every room, even the bathrooms.
Included with the cast is Dr. Frankie, a relationship expert, who will help guide the contestants on the show and offer love advice while the singles discover if anyone on the island is for them.
Our source tells us that there had to be numerous edits to footage to ensure it met the rating standards for TV-14 - for content aired before 9pm and suitable for those over the age of 14 years
The show aims to break down barriers and open up discussions about sexual fluidity by providing a platform for people who identify that way.
With the help of the contestants this season will focus on sharing powerful stories about people figuring out their sexual and gender identity.
This week some of the cast sat down with DailyMailTV's Alicia Quarles and were unanimous in their opinion that a sexually fluid dating show is overdue.
Who is the one? Each contestant has a match pre-determined by matchmakers and their job is to find out who it is with the help of variety of challenges and dates
'The fact is, we are queer people and we have always existed and so we've had to spend many years watching television shows that didn't represent us, that didn't represent the kind of dating experiences that we've had.' said cast member Basit Shittu.
Contestant Paige Cole told DMTV that the show marked a big milestone for her.
'This is also how I came out so this was like a really big thing for me to really explore the possibilities of a romantic connection with a woman, just like with anybody.'
For Nour Fraij the show was about breaking stereotypes and being free to be herself.
About time: This week some of the cast sat down with DailyMailTV's Alicia Quarles and were unanimous in their opinion that a sexually fluid dating show is overdue
Contestant Paige Cole told DMTV that the show marked a big milestone for her as it's how she came out
'Everything that everybody thinks a Muslim woman is supposed to be, I'm going against all of that. So I'm breaking barriers and I'm f**king proud of that!'
Basit added, 'It's important and informative for the world to understand that there are all different types of people,
'Being sexually fluid, being gender fluid, it just means there are more options.'
Are You The One? premieres on MTV on Wednesday 9pm PT/ET.
'It's important and informative for the world to understand that there are all different types of people,' cast member Basit Shittu said
