I Love Money (VH1)

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.

TV Rating: TV-14
Network: VH1
Cast: Craig J. Jackson
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: VH1