TV Details
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Meet or Delete (mtvU)

common sense media says

Dating game with a twist; OK for older teens.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this series is primarily a reality dating show targeting college-age teens and 20-somethings, with a format that's not unlike MTV's Room Raiders. That means that portions of each episode deal candidly with sex, online pornography, and other steamy subjects that are too suggestive for younger viewers. High-schoolers will undoubtedly want to watch; the good news is that the show doesn't introduce anything that savvy teens haven't already heard about.

Positive messages: At least one of the contestants in each episode has something questionable hiding on his or her hard drive. While one potential suitor had drafted a letter to contest stalking charges linked to his ex-girlfriend, for example, another had e-mailed a photo of his penis to a stranger. The set-up of the show promotes snooping (questionable activity, even if what you learn is worth finding out).
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Contestants make candid references to one-night stands, masturbation, and sex toys (including vibrators). Pornography sites pop up regularly, but nudity and other adult content is blurred.
Language: In moments of embarrassment, a few contestants shout expletives that get bleeped out in post-production.
Consumerism: The show was developed in collaboration with computer company Hewlett-Packard, so contestants are shown using PCs -- not Macs -- and using Microsoft Instant Messenger to "talk" to each other.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Light usage is mentioned occasionally.

More on Meet or Delete

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the fact that privacy is relative when it comes to one's personal computer files. Should potential boyfriends and girlfriends have the right to check out each other's Internet activity -- and, more important, should their parents? Has the popularity of instant messaging, blogging, and swapping stats on MySpace changed the way we meet new people and decide whom to date? What are the dangers of getting involved in a relationship with someone you may not know that much about?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Instead of using the old-fashioned dating show format -- asking potential suitors questions about themselves and getting answers that may or not be true -- MEET OR DELETE skips the small talk and goes straight for the contents of each contestant's hard drive.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Even though the gist of this MTV reality show is nothing new (a contestant selects a dating partner from a diverse pool of three candidates) and the show itself is ho-hum, the concept behind it is intriguing. As you might expect, the results are usually hilarious -- and, sometimes, a little bit creepy -- with even the most normal-looking people never failing to disappoint.

Although the show delves into some sexually charged topics that younger kids ought to skip, Meet or Delete does offer a positive message, albeit in a roundabout way. Since most of the contestants who come on the show to choose a mate decide to "delete" people with serious red flags (like pornography addictions or lingering crushes on ex-girlfriends), it subtly shows older teens that online indiscretions aren't likely to bear much fruit when it comes to the world of dating. The show's concept is kind of cool -- and it might make you think twice about your own Internet activity.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-14
Network: mtvU
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: mtvU

This review was written by Kari Croop
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members


kid, 12 years old
 
the word "fuk" is uncensored
this should be TV-MA in my opinion


teen, 14 years old
 
the word "fuk" is uncensored
this should be TV-MA in my opinion


kid, 11 years old
 
the word "fuk" is uncensored
this should be TV-MA in my opinion

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age