Ah, dating, one of life’s worst nightmares greatest thrills. These days we are inundated with television shows that cater to those hoping to find love. Whether it’s competing for a rose or marrying someone 5 minutes after meeting, lots of folks out there are searching for a paycheck “the one”.
What we don’t see is a dating show dedicated to the LGBTIQA community. Let’s face it, love is love and the diversity aspect of these shows can be dismal. BACK IN MY DAY (and get off my lawn), MTV played actual music videos. Teens of the 80’s were whisked away to exotic locales and introduced to hair metal. With the ratings brought in by reality television, MTV’s format has changed over the years. Now they are flipping the script once again with a brand new show.
The former video channel is introducing the first sexually fluid reality dating show. It’s about time, y’all! According to The HollywoodReporter, the 8th season of their hit, Are You The One? will focus on those who don’t see gender as a one way street.
The article states, “16 singles will travel to Hawaii in hopes of finding their ‘perfect match’ and splitting the $1 million cash prize. But, for the first time ever on a dating competition show in the U.S., there will be no gender limitations, as each cast member identifies as sexually fluid.” If you don’t already know, the term sexually fluid basically means your attraction is based on a person-to-person basis and not necessarily a specific gender.
The contestants of the new program will go through a series of challenges in an effort to win a bucket load of cash and hopefully find a mate in the process. The show also includes a shrink on staff to assist the cast members in navigating bad choices and reoccurring patterns in their past relationships. Wish I could get that in my daily life… “This season also introduces Dr. Frankie, a relationship expert, who works with the singles to help them cope with current disaster-dating trends such as ghosting, benching and stashing — and tests them on their willingness to fall into these painful trends as they date multiple people on national television.”
I know what ghosting is, but had to look up both “benching” and “stashing”. “Benching” apparently has nothing to do with weight lifting and everything to do with stringing a potential partner along and then gradually disappearing from their life. Good to know. “Stashing” refers to someone who does not introduce their partner to friends or family members and won’t post about them on social media. Also known as “keeping their options open” or “leading a double life”…
This season of Are You The One? aims to highlight coming-out moments and exploring the dynamics of sexual and gender identity. The intention is to examine what it means to find love as a sexually fluid individual and the challenges involved with searching for a perfect partner. The show will make it’s debut on June 26 at 9pm.
TELL US- WILL YOU BE WATCHING ARE YOU THE ONE? WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE DIVERSE CAST? WILL THIS SHOW GENERATE GOOD RATINGS FOR MTV?
[Photo Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images]
