Robert, 27 - Austin, TX

Did anyone watch "the Age of Love" last night? I know, I know. It isn't exactly targeted towards 27 year old males. I know this. But they've been promoting it so heavily and the tag line is kind of clever (kittens vs. cougars!). I couldn't help myself. I watched the first episode. Well. Half of the first episode. So they have The Guy (who in this case, is ex-tennis star Mark Philippoussis) and they kick things off by showing a video of what a hunk/big sweetie/overall great catch he is. This even included a scene with a (are you serious?!) puppy. Of course, the women melted and ooohed and aahhhed and made outrageous comments about wanting see him naked. Blah. We're told that, although our dear bachelor is only 30, the women are anywhere from 39 to 48. Oh man! This will never work! They're so old! Right. They're also drop dead gorgeous. Like these women need help. Anyway. They put Mark out by the swimming pool and let the women introduce themselves one by one. Etc, etc, etc. They're all old, he smiles politely, cut to interview with him saying "I was starting to think something was up here." Nice work, Encyclopedia Brown. At this point, I have to assume he's stupider than he looks. What kind of idiot goes on a dating show not called "The Bachelor" and is actually surprised when they throw him a curveball?! You think NBC is gonna produce a straight Bachelor knockoff?

Naturally, the women are giddy with excitement after they've met poor, shell-shocked Mark, and seem to think the "game has started," before (surprise!) they're blindsided by the gaggle of 20-somethings. Honestly, ladies. When was the last time you saw a dating show with seven contestants?! You didn't think they might introduce a couple more? Hadn't any of these women seen "Average Joe" before?!

Anyway, I only watched half, because it got really terrible (read: formulaic) really fast. No matter what wrinkle they try to add, the show also plays out the exact same way. Same characters, same activities, same interviews, same everything. This led to a conversation this morning with Dave about whether or not reality TV was in its death throes. As Dave pointed out, "every little twist and wrinkle these shows offer have been used and used and abused over and over again, and everyone has a bit of 'been there done that'." I'm hoping it's over. I mean, have you seen this? Come on.

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Until then...