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The Ultimate Coyote Ugly Search (CMT)

common sense media says

Bawdy bar-dancing competition drowns in booze.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this reality/talent show focuses on female bartenders who dance, sing, and generally rile up their customers with bawdy talk and enthusiastic displays of their body and their talents. Both bartenders and customers imbibe massive amounts of alcohol -- shot-drinking contests, etc. -- with no discussion of responsible drinking practices as a counterpoint. Many scenes combine the excessive drinking with sexuality. (In one scene, for example, a bartender kneels on a bar with her male customer's head pressed against the bar, squeezed underneath her bottom.) On a positive note, the women are friendly and very supportive of one another, despite the fact that they're competing for a cash prize.

Positive messages: The series depicts women as highly sexualized objects, despite their claims of empowerment. Overweight women and those with limited talents don't succeed in the competition. Surprisingly, the series shows women being very supportive of each other during competition.
Violence: Some playfully aggressive behavior between bartenders and customers -- like when one bartender pours alcohol all over a man's face and then shoves his face backward with her hand.
Sex: Women dressed in tight and/or revealing clothing dance on the bar. Sometimes they get physical with male customers -- like when one sits on a guy's face or gives a man a lime chaser with her mouth.
Language: "Ass," "hell," and "damn."
Consumerism: Obviously a huge promotion for the Coyote Ugly bar chain.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Immense/constant consumption of alcohol, including drinking contests, pouring hard alcohol directly into customers' mouths, etc.
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What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about what the show is saying about women. Can any of these women be considered role models? Why or why not? Do you think the women are being empowered or sexualized (or both) in their roles as Coyotes? Can a woman say she's empowered but not actually be empowered? How would the bar's dynamic change if the bartenders were male? How are the Coyotes different than exotic dancers?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In ULTIMATE COYOTE UGLY SEARCH, nine of the famous saloon chain's female bartenders compete to be named the best, while simultaneously training wannabe Coyotes to perform alongside them. The girls must compete based on their sexy outfits, their song-and-dance routines, and the gusto with which they serve drinks. Chain owner/original Coyote Liliana "Lil" Lovell is a tough boss and a brutal critic but she retains an emotional connection to the women and sheds a tear when she has to eliminate one from the competition. The competition starts at the Coyotes show off their talents by singing, dancing, bartending, and entertaining real bar customers in Nashville, but as the competition progresses, the women recruit and train partners to help them win a prize of $50,000.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

While Lil and the Coyotes often mention how empowered the chain's bartenders are, one viewing will probably be enough to convince most people that they're simply glorified exotic dancers. But for some it's a way to make good money while showing off some creativity; for others, it's an exploration into a whole different way of presenting oneself to the world; and others are just having a great time.

Because of the show's emphasis on alcohol and provocative behavior, as well as its confusing messages about gender and sexuality, chances are most parents will want their kids to avoid it. Mature teens might be attracted to the sexed-up American Idol-like concept, but since the series doesn't offer any examples of -- or discussion about -- drinking responsibly, parents will want to offer some of their own advice.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-14
Network: CMT
Cast: Lil Lovell
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: CMT
This review was written by Sierra Filucci
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

txalleykat46
adult
 
I love the show and watch it every week a must see
I love the positive attitude that Lil instills in her girls to be the best that they can be. I love her competative nature and that she wants her girls to be the best that they can be. I love the fact that she shares her money as an incentave to get the girls motivated to be the best and in my openion that makes her a very cool person to work for and shows that she cares about the girls that work for her. She gives back and rewards them for the hard work that they give to her. I give two thumbs up to all of you for a great job and I love the show. Keep up the good work Lil and to all the Coyotes out there.
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bee2216
adult
 
Not Another One
Not another show, that portraits women being sexual objects. What purpose is this showing young women or women in general. Show up in short skirt/shorts and tiny tops, dance on a bar and pour alcohol for the men that view you as sexual objects. Mindless humans with bodies. Once again sex and alcohol mixed. I thought we were over this, did we not move in time....why is it that we take 2 steps ahead, then 4 back.....Then you wonder why the bar severs and bartenders who are female are victims of verbal/sexual abuse by male patrons....
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