'Love Island USA' Airs Almost Every Night of the Week — but When Is It Actually Filmed?

Watching Love Island USA isn't a full-time job, but it nearly is, and someone has to do it. It turns out, that "someone" is actually millions of viewers who dedicate themselves to the couples and singles in the cast each season. But for those who might be new to the watching experience, is Love Island USA live? Because of the way it's filmed, and the audience participation, it's clear that in some ways, this is a dating show unlike any other.

Outside of that, Love Island USA is a little easier to follow. A group of singles enter the Villa each season, ready to couple up and fall for someone. However, things can change at the drop of a hat, since "Bombshells" arrive at the Villa at random intervals to potentially break up new couples. In that regard, it's not unlike Netflix's Perfect Match. But the filming schedule is totally different.

Because Love Island USA airs Thursdays through Tuesdays each week, some viewers are curious and even a little confused about how filming works. But Love Island USA episodes aren't live. Big Brother has a similar format in terms of multiple weekly episodes that are filmed shortly before the events of each episode. However, in that case, one weekly episode is live.

For Love Island USA, none of the episodes are live, though viewers can participate in the show since the episodes are filmed shortly before they each go to air. Viewers can vote for their favorite Love Island USA couples on the Love Island USA app, and those votes do impact the cast members each season. That might make it seem like the show is live, or that it sometimes airs live, but that's just because the amount of time between filming the show and airing the episodes is so short.

Every time a Bombshell enters the villa, they have the goal of finding a new partner, whether it's someone who is available or someone already coupled up. By being in a couple, the Bombshells ensure they get to remain at the Villa and they aren't sent home. So the later a Bombshell arrives, the less of a chance they have of finding a partner to couple up with, as deeper connections form.

The idea is that only the strongest couples, or singular couple, can survive Love Island USA. And although the episodes aren't live, the aired episodes do line up with what happens at the Villa in real time pretty closely.

Watch Love Island USA on Thursdays through Tuesdays at 9 p.m. EST on Peacock.