From a New York Times account of the VH1 reality show murder, Realityblurred.com editor Andy Dehnart:
“The network has built a brand on unstable, crazy people interacting on these idiotic and mindless dating shows, and can’t pretend to not have anything to do with it.”"Megan Wants a Millionaire," the show that murderer Ryan Jenkins was appearing on at the time of the crime, is a spinoff of "Rock of Love," which is itself a spinoff of "Flavor of Love." Indeed, this franchise- now numbering more than 20 shows- has essentially taken over VH1's entire lineup in the last couple of years. And while I'm ashamed to admit I've watched these shows from time to time, it really is the sleaziest stuff currently on TV by a wide margin.
On these shows, among numerous other sins, virtually every female is either a past, present, or future stripper, with black male participants pure minstrel stereotypes. And even worse, all of the above are encouraged to act as outrageously and inappropriately as possible, all in the hope of some sort of mainstream fame that never actually comes. My favorite is the frequent situation when, on the Bret Michaels show in particular, a contestant is accused of "not being here for Bret," as though the unblemished integrity of "Rock of Love" is somehow being breached.
VH1 has a long history of latching onto one gimmick and turning its entire schedule over to it, whether it's "Popup Video," "Behind the Music," the "I Love the '80s" series and now this. But the "... of Love" genre is a new low; perhaps this latest event will remind the network that perhaps it's time to move on to a newer, less shameful era.
Posted by Stephen Silver at August 25, 2009 12:35 AM