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Gay, Straight or Taken?

(Rated TV-PG, Reality TV, Starring Sunny Doench, Where to watch: Lifetime Television)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0

  • Common Sense says

    Dating show is lighthearted but has iffy messages.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Major attention is paid to physical attractiveness, much less to personality. Lots of assumptions are made based on appearance and behavior -- which are sometimes stereotypical (i.e. assuming that opera lovers are gay). Often, though, the assumptions are wrong, forcing viewers and contestants to question their snap judgments. The men's goal is to convince the female contestant that they're the straight one -- in other words, lying to and/or otherwise deceiving her. Weird forced intimacy.

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.

  • Sex:

    Rather tame for a dating show. But still, tons of attention to male bodies, discussion of physical fitness and attractiveness. Some physical intimacy -- massage, playful touching, flirting.

  • Language:

    Occasional bleeped cursing, plus words like "screwed" and "damn."

  • Consumerism:

    One contestant wears an Izod shirt.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Gay, Straight or Taken?

Parents need to know that this dating reality/game show puts a woman and three men in semi-intimate situations designed to help the woman determine the men's sexuality and relationship status. In one episode, a woman wearing a bikini top gets a back and face massage by a male contestant. The camera focuses intensely on the men's bodies, especially when they're asked to take off their shirts. The female contestant must analyze the men's appearance and behavior and make assumptions about their sexuality. While this is mostly handled with respect, plenty of stereotyping occurs.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about making assumptions about people based on their appearance. What kind of things can you tell about people from looking at them? In general, what's wrong with making assumptions based on looks? Have you ever been judged on your appearance? Have you ever made assumptions or snap judgments about other people that turned out to be very wrong? Do you think you're a good judge of people? What messages is this show sending to viewers?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    popcornpop1997
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 3.0

    HILARIOUS, but not appropriate

    IT IS VERY FUNNY, especially because the gay guys sometimes cry! But not appropriate for young ages.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Adult Reviewer
    koyeehtun
    Lives in Kentucky
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 1.0

    i want to get experienc in gay sex

    i have never been in this field . so , i would like to see that event.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Adult Reviewer
    jessi22
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  4. Adult Reviewer
    getalife00777
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 2.0

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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