I never watch TV but in the past few weeks I heard about a show called "A Shot at Love" with a bisexual "MySpace Maven" who took reality dating shows to a new level - high stakes bisexuality.
The MTV program was predictably trashy, but they seem to have perfected their craft becuase if the show was on in my house I could not take my eyes off the screen. First, they had a ton of gorgeous men and women on the show, displaying lots of skin. Always a crowd pleaser. I loved the reaction of all the men when they realized they had to compete not just with blonde, beautiful, butch boys but also with blonde, beautiful butch and femme women (all of whom were lesbian and equally surprised at the plot twist).
The star, Tila Tequila is a self-proclaimed writer, producer, model, entertainer and singer. She is hot, which gave the show major appeal, but the dramatic formulaic date-show predictability leaves the viewer with only a brief dose of what the contestants are actually going through. So although I think the show is complete trash, I do think it did an overall good job of helping normalize bisexuality and demystifying lesbian relationships and intimacy. Stereotypes were minimal and many of the folks on the show were very respectful. I have to admit, It was a guilty pleasure to see so many men worried that they weren't man enough to compete with other women.
The love match, in the end, came down to one lesbian and one straight guy. You could cut the tension with a remote control. As is the fate with most GLBT figures in mass media, the queer loses out. Tila picks the straight boy.
I was rooting for the lesbian, but you just knew how this story was going to end. Society still sees a happy ending as heterosexual, normative and having the possibility of children. I wonder how heterosexual viewers were feeling as Tila narrowed down the field. All I can say is that I was happy too see that bisexuality had it's day in the sun - an entire show dedicated to exploring this taboo subject. Granted, if it was male bisexuality it may not have been a hit with as many viewers, but at least it would keep moving the ball down the field.
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And that, is exactly why I dont watch that crap. I'd be so pissed off..
Zach Adamson | December 29, 2007 9:45 AM
I hate to throw cold water on your fire for the show--and it's been some time since I owned a TV, so admittedly I'm not your average viewer--but the show sounds more like lesbian titillation for straight (primarily male) viewers than a serious depiction of bisexuality....
Brynn Craffey | December 29, 2007 2:46 PM
I'm with Brynn on this one... and frankly, I'm not so sure another example of the "slutty bisexual" stereotype is actually progress.
... but at least Dani was cute. ;c)
Maudite Entendante | December 29, 2007 7:05 PM
That's how I saw it, Brynn. Our daughter loved the show though and would beg for us to stop on it when we were flipping through the channels. I didn't really like the show though - if I'm going for trash MTV shows, I prefer the "I Love New York" shows. They're pure trash but like a train wreck you just can't turn away...
Side not on Tila though: Even though she did the show, there won't be a 2nd season. Why? She has a regular boyfriend already.
Bil Browning | December 30, 2007 11:48 AM
HA! I love New York is sooo trashy. I agree.
I know the show was used to titilate male viewers, but that aside, it also forced viewers to see a woman saying she wants to be in a relationship with one person, which challenges the stereotypes that bisexuals want it all. Also, she regularly opens up and says that at first she thought it was boys and girls in two camps but toward the end she says she learned that it is really more about the person. Viewers get subtle social permission to start treating sexuality as if it is not a clear binary. "Let yourself go and be with who you love, regardless of sex," seemed to be a message there. Just my two thoughts.
Sean Kosofsky | December 31, 2007 10:51 AM
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