They begin with a group date and then progress through individual dates and getting-to-know-you clue-type “games.” For example they have a sketch artist draw the daters by verbal description (describing people they have not seen yet), or they see what their apartments look like when they are gone (Once a woman had ants. Oh, the horror. Sheesh. It was just ants), and last night they checked out the clothes that the daters had slept in. (A stained t-shirt?  He’s a single guy. They are not known for laundry skills. C’mon).

The daters do some sort of personality test, because at one point they find out whom they are most compatible with, but sometimes the numbers of the matches are so low that this part really does not say much. (A 63% match? That’s good?).

The couples go on a last dark date – they can make more than one choice here – and then they decide whom they want to see in the light. The light part is very, very awkward. The daters stand in the dark until first one, then the other is lit up. It’s got to feel so strange to stand there knowing that an unseen person is sizing you up. After that, they decide if they want to date further, away from the show. The daters have to wait on a balcony and their choice will either meet them there, or they will leave by the front door. The dater can actually see that person exciting the house, from the balcony. This part, I feel it’s brutal.

The point of the show is the question of how much do looks really matter?  Apparently, they matter a lot to most of the daters. You see the reactions – the lit person smiles, the dark person smiles in response, and then they go back to those waiting and say, “Well she didn’t blow me away,” or “Well he was cute, but I think he looks more like a friend or a brother.” 

The daters say this after “chemistry” has already been established. After they’ve found that conversation comes easily and they have much in common. After they’ve already been making out in the dark. Suddenly a guy turns into your “brother” because you can see his face?  (And what kind of relationship do you have with your brother?)

Here’s my opinion – these people want to be single. They are single because they have ridiculous expectations and inflated egos.  Looks fade. We all age and not a single one of these daters is a stunner to begin with.

What do you think the key to a good marriage is? Is it hotness?  I seriously doubt it. When dating, how about a compromise?  If a person’s looks don’t totally repulse you, then give it a try. Attraction does not come from looks alone.

Or stay single. It’s your choice.

Image credit: Sxc.hu

Post from: Blisstree

Dating in the Dark

The ladies in the promos are very pretty, perfectly coiffed and made up, talking about how much they want to find a true love story. I’m a sucker for that sort of thing, so I plan to watch the More To Love when it premieres on July 28, 2009.

Leah thinks that they should have picked a handsomer man, but I think he looks like a regular guy, which is what I think they are going for with this one.

Here’s a bit more from the shows website at Fox:

FOX is setting out to prove that love comes in all shapes and sizes with the new inspirational dating competition series MORE TO LOVE. Executive-produced by Mike Fleiss (”The Bachelor,” “The Bachelorette”), the unscripted series follows a single average guy with a big waist and an even bigger heart as he romances several confident and secure plus-size women. Each week, the husky hunk will wine and dine a group of curvy women to determine if they have more love to give or if they are truly more than he can handle. When the size of competition narrows, he will have to decide if one full-figured lady will become his true love.

Image credit: Michelle Smith

Post from: Blisstree

More To Love, Real-size Reality Dating Show

I caught the first episode when it first aired and the women had their choice of a variety of men, but they were way, way past that point by the 9/30/08 episode.  Now it’s meet the family time, with each man hosting one of the three moms and their child(ren) for dinner.  It wasn’t going well for any of the moms.  The kids were acting up, throwing tantrums, sitting under the table, refusing to eat even pizza.  I felt bad for all of the moms and very happy for myself that my kids are past the going under the table stage. 

Kids are tough as it is, but put them in an unfamiliar place, with an unfamiliar grown-up telling them what to do, and then point a camera and some hot lights at them and ………well, it’s not pretty.  There’s only so much you can expect from a kid at that age. 

The men, their reactions where interesting.  One guy had his own child there, a girl who was older and well-behaved.  He stood there, arms crossed, as his date had a pretty uncomfortable battle of wills with her daughter.  When speaking to the camera, he made it plain that she needed to take control now, that she had to show who was boss.  One man appeared to have no kids – he was pretty judgemental.  It’s very easy to sit there and say, she should do this, that kids a brat, whatever, but unless that man has spent much time with children, he has no idea what he is talking about.   

Watching the show, I was reminded all over again of how lucky that I am to have my boyfriend.  Steve has three kids and I have 3 kids.  It’s a full house when we are altogether. I don’t tell him how to parent his kids, he does occasionally point out what he thinks I should do in relation to mine, but for the most part, he supports me and keeps his mouth shut.  Someday, if we live together, I’m sure that this will change a bit, it will have to, but in the meantime, I am thankful that I have chosen a man who understands that being a parent is a large part of who I am.  He knows how hard it is to find a way to balance the adult aspect of self with the parent aspect of self. 

I’m going to continue to watch the show, I’m rooting for the ladies to find true love and I’m a sucker for a good reality show romance.  If you’ve been watching the show all season, please let me know what I’ve missed and if you are rooting for any of the couples to find a good match.  

Post from: Blisstree

Must Love Kids: Single Moms Looking For Love Reality Show-style