by Were we okay in the early 2000s? Probably not, and reality shows prove it.
Looking for love is not easy and for the first time in that decade, reality shows became a viable option to find love. Once they became popular, it seemed like every variety of dating show you could think of was aired and… let’s just say not all of them deserved a chance.
With that said, first dating shows are full of truly awful moments that are terrifying at best and highly problematic at worst. Here is some proof.
1.
In 2003, FOX pulled the bait and turned single women on, convincing them that they were in the running to marry a millionaire when in reality, he was a blue-collar guy in millionaire joe.
See this video on YouTube
FOX / Via youtube.com
two.
The epic failure that was Who wants to marry a billionaire? had women compete in a beauty pageant-style competition with the goal of winning the heart (and wallet) of one Rick Rockwell.
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FOX / Via youtube.com
The millionaire’s identity was kept secret until the end of the two-hour special, where he chose Darva Conger to marry on television, on the spot.
It’s hard to say whether the secret identity was really part of the show or an effort by someone to cover up Rockwell’s past. Born Richard Balkey, The Smoking Gun revealed a 1991 restraining order against him by an ex with domestic violence allegations.
3.
play straight, which ran for three series before backlash canceled it, had a woman date a group of 14 men, only five of whom were straight. If she ultimately chose a straight man, they would each receive $500,000. If she chose one of the gay men, he would get the full million dollars and she would walk away empty handed.
See this video on YouTube
FOX / Via youtube.com
This bad idea originated in the UK, but somehow, it was even worse here in the US.
Four.
Similarly, Bravo tested it with boy meets boywhere a gay bachelor dated his potential partners without knowing which ones were truly gay and which ones were straight.
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FOX / Via youtube.com
5.
Lorenzo Lamas pointing out people’s flaws with a laser pointer in are you hot Rough. Randolph Duke telling a woman to lose weight? More gross. Rachel Hunter participating in this nonsense as a woman? more disgusting
6.
married for america let viewers vote for couples who went through a short period of engagement before deciding whether or not to marry.
See this video on YouTube
FOX / Via youtube.com
7.
When the littlest boyfriend he went on a single date with a group of petite women, only to later introduce women of average height as “competition” for them. Simply unpleasant.
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FOX / Via youtube.com
8.
age of love introduced a single 30-year-old to a larger group of women made up of two subgroups: the “kittens” (20-somethings) and the “cougars” (women in their 30s and 40s).
10
mr personalitywho suggested that the only way to not be blinded by someone’s appearance when making dating decisions is to not be able to see what they look like.
See this video on YouTube
FOX / Via youtube.com
eleven
island of temptationin which supposedly healthy couples played the game and discovered how easily their SO would give way when given unrestricted access to eligible, attractive women.
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FOX / Via youtube.com
12
And finally, although Quite a dating show but still a misogynistic mess: The Cisnewhich treated women’s “social anxiety” and feelings of “invisibility” and “isolation” with so-called therapy and copious amounts of plastic surgery.
What other facets of early reality TV do you find problematic looking back? Share in the comments!
