Tuesday, June 19, 2007

In this case, 'Age' does matter

Sigh. It looks like I've added another reality dating show to my summer TV viewing. But two is my limit, I swear!

It's NBC's "Age of Love," which premiered last night. You've got to admit, the premise is intriguing. Australian tennis pro Mark Philippoussis, 30, says he's ready to settle down and is looking for the right woman. (Which -- c'mon, he used to date Paris Hilton and his last girlfriend was 20. 20!) Imagine his surprise when seven lovely ladies introduce themselves to him, and their age range is 39 to 48. Then, just as he's getting used to the fact he'll be dating women who have kids near his age, seven more chicks are thrown in, all in their 20s. Who will he pick, a "cougar" or a "kitten"? Watch Mark's confusion! See the ladies' claws come out!

NBC calls "Age of Love" "the ultimate social experiment," which makes me laugh out loud, but I'm fascinated nonetheless. When Mark first took a seat among the older women, he looked terrified and intimidated. Dude was clearly out of his comfort zone. None of the women looked their age. All seven were beautiful, pictures of health and vitality with their glossy hair, sparkling eyes and trim figures. (The 48-year-old had a body many 18-year-olds would kill for.) They were all accomplished and confident and looking for someone to share their lives. Sure, there was some talk about the idea of older women dating younger men, but one chick summed it up perfectly: "If older men can do it, why can't I do it, too?" Amen, sister!

Since I'm 37, obviously I'm gonna lean toward the Forties (the older chicks) as opposed to the Twenties (the younger ones). But even the show's editing seems tilted their way. The Twenties are shown in their already trashed apartment, clad in bikinis and twirling hula hoops around their taut middles while the Forties are calmly reading and doing laundry and settled in with needlepoint. (The show is based in a snazzy high rise, where the Forties, Twenties and Mark have separate apartments.) While the Forties make comments such as "I can do anything a 20-year-old can do" and "let's celebrate our individual yumminess," the Twenties snark about "what's a synonym for old?" "why would anyone want someone with crow's feet and saggy boobs?" and how "desperate" the older women must be to come on the show. (Um, since the silicone-enhanced bottle blonde who said that is also on the show, what does that make her?)

I think most people would agree with the adage, "you're only as old as you feel." If Mark Philippoussis is willing to focus on the chemistry and compatibility he feels and not their ages, it'll be an interesting show indeed.

BTW: Mark had to eliminate an older woman last night, and he didn't get rid of the 48-year-old who has a son his age (as I expected), or the twice-divorced 40-year-old (my second choice). He sent home a 46-year-old who looks 36 because he was already feeling the kiss-of-death "friend" vibe.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I suspect Deirdre doesn't write about real issues because she doesn't have much experience "being" in relationships ("dating" doesn't count). I'm curious how many "boyfriends" she's had (i.e. exclusively involved romantically,had to work through family/intimacy issues-disagreements, lasted more than 5 or 6 months). I've seen a couple of vague references to "there was a man I dated who..." and "I once was with a man who..." I'd bet she's using the one same boyfriend to "pad" her relationship resume.

How 'bout it Deirdre? Want to share your relationship resume with the Charlotte Observer audience? After all, it would be nice to know what serves as the basis for your expert analysis.

Anonymous said...

Another blog on a *Reality TV* show (one of the greatest oxymorons known to man). This blog should be titled "Reality TV vs. Reality: Which Would You Choose?"

From Merriam Webster:

Main Entry: blog
: a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer

(hmm, "reflections"? No)

Main Entry: re·late
1 : to give an account of : TELL
*2 : to show or establish logical or causal connection between*

(hmm, "establish a logical connection"? Not seeing it)

Bring Alisha back! At least she tries to be a true blogger by reflecting specifically on her relationships with family and husband. Deirdre's main connection is to the TV.

Anonymous said...

Georgiaboy sez:

I watched the show and will be watching the remainder of the series. And I'd suggest some of you high-brows putting this blog down do the same. I'll lay odds that he ends up with one of the older ladies, most likely Lynn!

Anonymous said...

Oops. Thought this was that other TV show blog, "Just You Watch."

Anonymous said...

Reality TV hasn't been "real" since the 1990's.