TV Review: I Love Money
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What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know cast members from
Flavor
of Love
,
I
Love New York
, and
Rock
of Love with Bret Michaels
compete for a cash prize in this reality contest. The show
is full of the same over-the-top behavior that the earlier
series became notorious for, including lots of arguing,
pushing, slapping, and insult-hurling, as well as smoking,
drinking, and drunken behavior. Contestants are shown kissing
and fondling each other in a variety of sexually suggestive
positions. The language is also pretty strong (though curse
words like "f--k" and "s--t" are bleeped). And, like its sister
shows, it's full of sexist and hedonistic messages.
Families can talk about reality competition TV shows. Do you think reality celebs or B-list actors participate in these shows just for the money, or does something else motivate them? Do people who participate in these shows become famous (or regain some of their fame)? Families can also talk about why some people are willing behave inappropriately, like getting drunk or being promiscuous, if they know it will be on TV. Do you think people who engage in wild behavior in front of the camera behave this way in real life?
Common Sense Media Review
I LOVE MONEY is an "all-star" reality series that pits cast
members from
Flavor
of Love
,
I
Love New York
, and
Rock
of Love with Bret Michaels
against one another for the chance to win $250,000. Hosted
by Craig J. Jackson, the show features 17 of the earlier
series' most flamboyant and outlandish former contestants, who
are now driven by greed -- rather than love -- to do whatever
it takes to win and, for some, reclaim some dignity after being
humiliatingly ejected from their earlier shows. Each week, the
challengers attempt to beat each other in events like chicken
catapulting and spitting contests in order to stay in the
competition and avoid being eliminated. The last person
standing takes home the cash prize.
While winning the money is the ultimate goal, the real focus of this show is the over-the-top behavior that gave the contestants their original notoriety. These men and women, who live together on a Mexican estate, consistently parade around in tight outfits and skimpy bathing suits (including thongs) while calculating ways to rid themselves of the competition. Conversations include discussing strategies, building alliances, and literally sizing one another up -- which often leads to comments about contestants' breasts, butts, and other body parts. Some contestants are even shown kissing and fondling each other while in extremely suggestive positions (although the more explicit content is only available on the show's Web site).
Despite the structured competitions, the cast seems to be living in a perpetual state of chaos, highlighted by their sexual exploits, excessive drinking, inappropriate insults, and physical altercations. While this might provide some guilty pleasure to adults who like this sort of thing, it's definitely not kid-friendly material. This series objectifies both men and women and sends very shallow and hedonistic messages. It also presents distorted messages about building serious relationships -- especially when contestants begin competing (perhaps out of habit) for one another's affections. Overall, it's the kind of series that doesn't really offer anything positive and therefore really isn't worth watching.
Better reality competition show choices include Amazing Race and Survivor .
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
