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Frank the Entertainer in a Basement Affair (VH1)

common sense media says

Recycled reality dating contest is racy -- and wince-worthy.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this reality dating competition attempts to help a 31-year-old man who still lives in his parents' basement find "true love." The female competitors -- who were selected through an audition process -- tend to wear revealing clothing and use their sexuality to try to win Frank over. There's also some crass language, including bleeped swearing (think "f--k"), that comes from both the contestants and Frank's parents. There's also some occasional drinking (and suggested drunkenness), although everyone is of age.

Positive messages: The show's very iffy central message is that you can find "true love" by holding auditions and inviting 16 random women into your parents' home ... where you live rent-free and have no apparent occupation.
Positive role models: Frank is best known for his iffy behavior on many other reality shows, and he quips that he likes living at home because he gets free food and his parents do his laundry. Many of the young women are catty and make negative remarks about each other; others will do anything to win. Frank's mother is also known for her outbursts and threats.
Violence: Some verbal sparring and insults. Frank's mother tells one of the competitors that "You'd better watch your ass," etc.
Sex: Most of the contestants wear revealing clothing that exposes their cleavage, etc., and Frank occasionally appears shirtless. In one scene, a competitor tries to seduce Frank with whipped cream; Frank is also shown sucking a woman's toes.
Language: Bleeped swearing ("f--k," "s--t"), plus audible words like "ass," "hell," and "crap."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: The house rules seem to limit alcohol and drunkenness, but in one scene, Frank and the girls appear to be getting drunk in the Jacuzzi, and Frank's mother yells, "Who put vodka in this water bottle?"
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Frank the Entertainer in a Basement Affair

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about why these types of reality competitions seem to be so popular when everyone knows that they rarely result in true love. Why do audiences find these shows appealing? Do you think anyone involved expects a meaningful relationship to result from all the hoopla?
  • In terms of this show, what role does sex seem to play in dating and relationships? Does Frank seem more interested in certain young women because he finds them sexually attractive? Are others discounted because they aren't as openly sexual?
  • To what extent has Frank's parents' house been set up to double as a reality show set? What other aspects of the show seem staged -- or at least less than real?

What's the story?

What's the story?
With his larger-than-life mother watching his every move, VH1 reality regular Frank "The Entertainer" Maresca (of I Love New York and I Love Money "fame") attempts to find true love among a pool of 15 prospective girlfriends who are competing for his affections. But the joke's on the ladies in waiting when they're sent to Frank's parents' surburban home instead of an opulent mansion. Why? Because that's where Frank lives ... in the basement. Over the course of 10 episodes, the women attempt to charm Frank into giving them a "Key to His Basement," which symbolizes the key to his heart.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Forget the fact that the title of this train wreck of a reality dating competition sounds like a porn film. There's a long list of other reasons why it isn't worth your -- or your teens' -- time. For one thing, Frank is pretty much famous for sucking on Tiffany "New York" Pollard's toes in the equally trashy VH1 reality show I Love New York. And most of the competitors on this show have to be in it for their 15 minutes of fame.

As if all that weren't enough, there's also the unavoidable reality that this "reality" show is so painfully scripted and set up that it's actually wince-inducing. If that's not enough to convince you, there's always the show's theme song ... which is sung by "The Entertainer" himself.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-14
Network: VH1
Cast: Frank Maresca
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: VH1
This review was written by Kari Croop
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

ThatRussianYak ...
adult
15
 
The Good Kind of Train Wreck. So Bad, It's Fanatastic!
I love this show. Then again, I'm almost eighteen years old. It's so cheesy and dumb that it's good. "It's like watching a train wreck" as they say. It's hilarious and highly addicting; just don't be stupid. It's obviously not for kids. That being said, I don't think it's completely off. People are judging this show a bit too highly... It's VH1 in the 21st century, people. Don't go comparin' it to good 'ol Green Acres now. Things are waaay more edgy these days...
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