There aren't many women who would go out in public with a guy in a mask, unless the guy is Batman. There aren't many women who would subject themselves to being publicly scrutinized, then rejected, in front of millions of people. Let's face it, there's little reality to dating TV. This brings us back to the harsh realism that the ratings and the subsequent advertising dollars they bring in are the driving force behind the continued ridiculousness of love-match television. And how could they achieve ratings superiority if they only appeal to a fraction of the overall population? If they were to make a show strictly about gay dating, it would likely appeal to a mostly gay audience, in which case they would be limiting the potential viewership of the show. Not to worry, I can answer my own question. If we're trying to open up the playing arena and be inclusive with programming geared toward the gay community, then why not be clean with it? Why can't all the contestants be homosexual men with the ideal ending being that two men meet, date and fall in love? After all, it wouldn't have made much sense if the single women who participated in The Bachelor were lesbians. I am all for a gay version of The Bachelor, as that's basically what we're talking about here, but what I don't understand is the need to put the added element of awkwardness in it if the gay man can potentially be rejected by a straight man and the straight man can potentially be embarrassed being chosen by the gay man. I realize that this is an extreme example of ambush TV, but it did happen. Schmitz was eventually convicted of second-degree murder and is serving a 25-year sentence. Apparently, producers had led him to believe his admirer was a woman, not Scott Amedure, his gay neighbor.Īmedure told the audience of a fantasy that involved Schmitz, some whipped cream, strawberries and champagne.Ī few days later, Schmitz was said to be so embarrassed by the so-called ambush incident that he went on a drinking binge and shot Amedure to death with a 12-gauge shotgun. In March of 1995, Jonathan Schmitz, then 26, agreed to appear on a secret admirers segment. Think back to The Jenny Jones Show incident. Instead, they're actors pretending to be gay, added just to spice up the game.Ĭreators and executive producers Douglas Ross and Tom Campbell say the show is intended to "open up the hearts and minds of gay and straight viewers as they experience both the romantic journey of our leading man - and the adventure of the straight mates having to walk a mile in a gay man's shoes."Īs far as I can see, the concept may be groundbreaking, but the twist may open up a proverbial can of worms.
The bachelor learns that some of the remaining contestants are not homosexual. We find out about halfway through this six-week dating fiesta that there's a sour-lemon twist. That certainly would be fair enough … if this show, debuting in July, were indeed fair. Bravo for Bravo, right? Equal rights! Don't ask, don't tell!