Tuesday night, Fox premiered its new reality series Joe Millionaire. The basic plot of the show is that the producers took an average guy, in this case a construction worker who supposedly makes $19,000 a year, and positioned him to a group of bachelorettes as a wealthy bachelor who had recently inherited $50 million and was now looking for a bride.

I must admit that after the slew of cheesey reality shows (The Bachelor, The Mole, etc.), this one, which seemed to almost blatantly poke fun at the others, interested me. If nothing else because it seemed bound to focus on the basic greed that drives some people.

According to this article from the AP, http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...aire_ratings_1

Dare I admit it, but I watched the first episode and while it was very cheesey, it offered an interesting look at how some women define love and attraction. The premise was twisted, the bachelor was a dolt, and the women acted rediculous, but it was entertaining on some dark level.

Like it or not, it is easy to see how people can get hooked on shows like this. It is garbage television, but like the accident on the freeway, some part of you just wants to look and look and look at all of the carnage.

Did anyone else see this show? What were your thoughts?

I watched, and I agree that it's garbage, but I couldn't help myself! However, considering that I've heard how the end turns out (he really is a millionaire, some say...), I'm not sure that I'll continue watching.

If nothing else, it provides some level of entertainment - an escape from reality, even though it is "reality TV". I forget about work, personal problems, etc. while watching those silly women drool over Joe Meathead.

I am curious. As a woman, did you find Joe Meathead attractive? I have heard from a number of women who all said that he was "not that good looking anyway." I wonder how much more attractive he would be with $50 million?! :twisted:

I think Joe Millionaire needs a haircut. The men on the Bachelorette were far more attractive.

Of course, I didn't have to actually watch either show to give you that esteemed, in-depth analysis - just had to watch the incessant promotions the networks have been running.

I tend to criticize these shows endlessly, yet that's what we are all talking about, so go figure.

~JK

Interesting. I missed The Bachelorette, although my wife did watch and she seemed to enjoy it as much as she liked The Bachelor. You have to wonder about the people who opt to 'compete' in these shows. Other than exposure on TV, why would you put yourself through that? Is dating really that difficult? I always enjoyed it.

My two cents:

My guess is that they do it for kicks. Who wouldn't consider that? What the hell ... a trip to some exotic locale, hang out with good-looking people, spend a little time on TV. Something to tell the grandkids ... or maybe their housemates.

It's not about some deep dating mystery - it's about having fun. It's actually pretty cool ... it's just too bad they televise the whole thing; that's where it crashes and burns.

With 40 men on the Bachelorette (as opposed to one on the Bachelor), I would argue that it would be FAR more interesting to women than the previous installments.

~JK

What about shows like Fear Factor?

People are getting hurt on some of these stunt shows. Lawsuits are being filed, etc.

Is this all fun and games?

~Jennifer

I loved Joe Millionare. It was fun to watch, it will be even more fun at the last episode.

I did find Joe Millionaire *somewhat* attractive. He's not very suave though :P

I enjoyed The Bachelorette a lot more!

Sure there is an element of fun to shows like The Bachelor and Joe Millionaire, but what does this say about us?

I share Jen's sentiment. Where does it end? I wonder what will happen to the losers as a result? How many will be scarred in the long-term? And what will come next? Sounds like the old reality show debate, but these questions have never really been answered. Will we be happy until executions and snuff films are put on TV?

Didn't Rome come to this point with the colesiums and such?