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Love Games: Bad Girls Need Love Too (Oxygen)

common sense media says

Conflict-heavy dating show sends mixed messages about love.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this adult-oriented dating competition is only slightly less horrible than The Bad Girls Club, the reality trainwreck that spawned it and includes confusing messages about relationships and love. Prepare for physical violence between contestants (including punching, pushing, and slapping), sexually charged antics (including open-mouth kissing and some blurred nudity) and streams of bleeped swearing (including angry girls who yell, "Get the f--k out of my house. Get your s--t. Move the f--k out!" at guys they deem unworthy). There's also a lot of drinking and partying, which leads to iffy behavior and promiscuity.

Positive messages: The general message is that you can find "love" by partying with random strangers and making them get piercings and tattoos to prove their feelings. In general, more emphasis is placed on the way a person looks -- AKA how "hot" they are -- than on their personality.
Positive role models: The girls say they're looking for love, but also say superficial things like, "We want a guy with a hot body because you have to look good when you're with a Bad Girl." Some guys say they're in the market for romance, but most seem more excited about the prospect of being on TV and hooking up.
Violence: When conflict erupts between male contestants, you'll see kicking, punching, pushing, and yelling. But the women get in on the act, too, and are shown screaming, slapping, and throwing drinks in men's faces.
Sex: Women bare their bodies in skimpy clothes and are shown making out with multiple men over the course of the show -- in beds, in hot tubs, and in public places. Guys strip down to their underwear, too, with some blurred nudity.
Language: The strongest words (like "f--k" and "s--t") are bleeped, but audibles include "boobs," "balls," "bitch," and "jackass."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: "Partying" is a popular activity, and alcohol flows freely at most social events. Characters occasionally overindulge and sometimes do and say things they wouldn't have if they were sober.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Love Games: Bad Girls Need Love Too

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the popularly of reality dating competitions and how often they actually result in heartfelt love. What's the appeal of shows like these? Do you think this program is targeting men, women, or a mixed audience?
  • How does this show reinforce negative stereotypes about women? What about men?
  • How many positive role models can you find among the prospective pool of suitors? How well do those men fare with the Bad Girls?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Three vixens plucked from previous seasons of The Bad Girls Club are looking for lasting romance in LOVE GAMES, an elimination-style reality dating competition that gives 13 prospective suitors the chance to impress them. There's Sarah from Season 3, who admits that temptation always gets in her way; Amber from Season 3, who recognizes that she can come on "a little bit too strong" when it comes to guys; and Kendra from Season 4, who allows money and status to cloud her judgment. Comedian Bret Ernst plays host.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Love Games improves upon the cringe-worthy Bad Girls Club formula by presenting a trio of women who aren't pushing, slapping, or punching each other. Instead, they're cordially interacting with men, and occasionally throwing drinks in their faces. So while it's refreshing to see the women getting along, it's clear that social conflict hasn't disappeared completely. And neither have the promiscuous bad-girl antics these women are known for.

What's interesting about the show is that it does show a different side to the Bad Girls and reveals a paradox they themselves probably aren't aware of: Each says they want a good guy who's honest and takes the time to get to know them for who they really are. Yet the way they comport themselves when they're partying in front of the cameras is all about pretense and outrageousness. Based on that, they're not likely to find real love of any sort.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-14
Network: Oxygen
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: Oxygen
This review was written by Kari Croop
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

rethink8remake9
teen, 16 years old
16
 
Perfect for adults but horrible for 16 and under
Under any cirumstances should 16 and under see this.A horrible thing to do.
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helped me decide (8) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (4)
adblaka
teen, 14 years old
15
 
DONT WATCH THIS
MOST BORING SHOW I EVER WATCH
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (6)
makeupmissy123
kid, 13 years old
10
 
This show is really trashy and I'm not sure how it stays on. All they do is fight and party and cheat on each others boyfriends. Don't watch it's boring.
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was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (5)

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