I Love New York (VH1)

common sense media says

Flavor of Love spin-off is tasteless, too.

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this dating show is to parent show The Flavor of Love what The Bachelorette is to The Bachelor -- only cruder and more cringe-inducing. Through contests and conversations (most of which are accompanied by drinking and some sexual activity) one woman chooses a boyfriend from a group of 20 bachelors. Her choices are often based on extremely superficial characteristics. While most of the lessons to be gleaned from the show are simply immature, some -- like choosing a mate because he likes to drink a lot -- are borderline dangerous. The show features crass humor, wild behavior, excessive drinking, and highly sexual scenarios. Intense homophobia is at play, particularly directed at the effeminate, caricatured male personal assistant.

Positive messages: Men compete against each other for a woman's attention by being obnoxious, threatening other men, and showing off their bodies. The woman criticizes them for being boring, ugly, or crazy. Lots of homophobia. Show talks about true love and being "real," but it's actually all about exactly the opposite.

Violence: Frequent chest-beating, verbal threats, intimidation, and insults.

Sex: Very revealing clothing on men and women, with lots of commentary about physical features. Some heavy tongue kissing and touching in bed. Tons of sexual innuendo, flirting, crass commentary about someone's ability to find a sexual partner.

Language: Constant cursing, with stronger language bleeped but obvious. "Bitch," "ass," etc. are unbleeped.

Consumerism: Beer brands are blocked out but obvious. Frequent talk about dressing well, materialism.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Constant drinking, sometimes to intoxication.

Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about dating and relationships. What do teens and parents see in this show that goes against their beliefs about dating and relationships? What purpose does a series like this serve? Is it just meant to be a guilty pleasure? For parents: What are your thoughts about the dating process? Do you have ideas about what kind of person is right for your teen? For teens: What do you look for in a potential boyfriend or girlfriend? Do you think those criteria will change as you get older?

What's the story?

A spin-off of the cringe-inducing series Flavor of Love, I LOVE NEW YORK is basically the same show. But instead of former Public Enemy rapper Flavor Flav in the spotlight, it's one of his most flamboyant paramours, Tiffany "New York" Patterson. The show follows her quest for true love (or as much fame as she can get out of a VH1 reality show) as she gathers 20 love (or is it fame?) seekers into an ornately decorated mansion replete with a romantic grotto and swimming pool. The 20 men -- who have nicknames like "Tango," "Bones," and "12 Pack" -- vie for her attention while living together in the house. Patterson's quest for romantic perfection is aided by her mother, Sister Patterson, whose seriousness is comically intense.

Is it any good?

Teens might love the car wreck that is I Love New York, but with its warped examples of romantic relationships, the superficial standards by which someone is judged ("New York" likes one guy because "he looks good in clothes"), the excessive drinking (she likes another guy because "he drinks a lot"), and the orgy-like atmosphere, many parents will want to change the channel.

Both Flavor of Love and I Love New York take the reality dating show genre to new levels (sub-basement ones, that is). Fighting, cursing, and talking about bodies, sex, sexuality, etc. are all part of the game -- and the goal isn't just to win the heart of the show's star, but to become a star oneself. In one scene, Sister grills several of the young men with her most pressing question: "Are you gay?" She hones in on one particularly buff guy who admits to plucking his eyebrows. When she asks if he's ever had the opportunity to sleep with a man, he answers affirmatively, telling her that he could probably have sex with "New York"'s male personal assistant, the ultra-effeminate Chamo, if he wanted to (though of course, he doesn't want to).

TV themes & details

TV Details

TV Rating: TV-14
Network: VH1
Cast: Sister Patterson, Tiffany Patterson
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: VH1

This review was written by Sierra Filucci

Review It

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

A. Hunter
adult

i laughed

i really enjoy watching the show week after week. its funny as hell and new york ass is crazy. i love love love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i hope she find what she is looking for go new york

TV Details

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I Love New York (VH1)

common sense media says

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

More on I Love New York

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

What's the story?

What's the story?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?

TV themes & details

TV Details

Review It

Review I Love New York

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

i laughed

This is horible.

ssssssssst

BEST SHOW EVER BESIDES KING OF QUEENS

I laughed

The picture seemed so nice though!

this is insane

Bad for children 17 and up

Funny crazy show!

Trash but I loved it

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