Tools for this page
Print

Tough Love

(Rated TV-14, Reality TV, Starring Steven Ward, Joann Ward, Where to watch: VH1, Online)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 15.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0

  • Common Sense says

    Matchmaker boot camp mixes real advice and sexist messages.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The series offers some positive advice about feeling self confident and being assertive and positive. But it also has plenty of sexist messages about how men view women and what women have to do to attract them. Some of the women seem greedy, insecure, and/or desperate to "find a man." One contestant is nicknamed "The Ball Buster" for being too cold and potentially too aggressive. Not a lot of cast diversity. One contestant refers to an African-American male as being "chocolate," but she intends the comment to be positive.

  • Violence:

    The women often get defensive when they're being given advice, and catty arguments often break out among the contestants. One participant gets angry and starts breaking things.

  • Sex:

    Some strong innuendo, as well as some hugging and kissing. Some of the women like to wear tight, revealing bathing suits and/or blouses to get attention. One contestant is a former stripper (and is briefly shown swinging around a pole) and claims to have slept with at least 100 men. Men offering feedback about the women note which women they would "go to bed with" vs. "bring home to mom."

  • Language:

    Words like "hell," "ass," and "whore" and expressions like "OMG" and "that's retarded" are clearly audible. Curse words like "s--t," "f--k," and "dick" are bleeped.

  • Consumerism:

    The women are given Altell cell phones. Occasionally Los Angeles-area businesses like Allen-Edward Salon and Spa are prominently featured. Mark Warden drives a BMW. There are references to texting on an iPhone and to Google. The series is also a promotional vehicle for Steven Ward.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Visible consumption of wine, champagne, and cocktails.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Tough Love

Parents need to know that this reality series -- in which a male matchmaker offers blunt advice to women desperate to be in a relationship -- sends sexist messages about both men and women and what they expect from each other when it comes to dating. It's also got all the other expected trappings of a reality show, including strong language (the worst is bleeped, but there's plenty that's not), catty arguing, drinking, and sexual innuendo. The series also serves as a promotional vehicle for the matchmaker and his services, and brands like Altell are prominently featured.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how the media typically portrays dating and relationships. Do movies and TV shows create unrealistic and/or stereotypical representations of how people are supposed to look, feel, and act in order to meet someone special? Families can also discuss professional matchmaking. Did you know that some cultures still rely primarily on matchmakers to bring couples together?
Tools and tips that can help

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Tough Love?

  •  I think this show is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • New in Theaters

    Age 7+
    Fantastic Mr. Fox

    Fantastic Mr. Fox

    Offbeat family adventure may charm adults more than kids.

  • Tech Tip

    Learn the basics with our latest video.How to Text

    Learn the basics with our latest video.

  • Book of the Week

    Age 15+
    Lips Touch Three Times

    Lips Touch Three Times

    Wildly inventive, wonderful fairy tales for mature teens.

  • Pick of the Week

    Holiday Websites

    Holiday Websites

    Where to surf, turkey time and beyond.

  • Download This

    Age 10+
    The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack

    The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack

    Dark, cool tunes OK for kids too young for the movie.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
(It's free!)

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.