ElimiDate
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that aggressive, crude behavior and obvious sex appeal keep suitors in the game as they vie for a chance to go on a date with one "lucky" single. Both straight and gay dating scenarios are shown. Sexual language and jokes are common. Contestants will do pretty much anything to "win," including wrestling in baby oil or making out with the object of their affection in front of the other contestants. Competitors often make disparaging remarks about each other. There's lots of alcohol use and obvious displays of intoxication. Parents should also note that this program airs late at night, but can be a cult favorite among teens.
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What's the Story?
ELIMIDATE blends reality show, game show, and dating show together in an effort to create a survival-of-the-fittest scenario to win a date with the highly coveted suitor. This suitor encourages the four contestants to outwit and out-flirt one another, and outrageous and sexy behavior is usually rewarded. The date begins when the group of five heads off for the first of many encounters, ranging from a day at the beach to drinks at a bar. With each new setting, another dater is eliminated. Daters are often dumped for their lack of sexual enthusiasm or alternatively, for their overt sexual enthusiasm.
Is It Any Good?
Contestants routinely go overboard for the cameras and try to "impress" the suitor with such antics as making out with their fellow opponents, flashing their assets, getting drunk, or challenging opponents to see who can kiss better -- a favorite of the suitor.
Admittedly, ElimiDate has the potential to be one of those shows that's so bad that you can't help but watch. Fortunately for parents, the program airs late enough in the evenings that most teens won't be tuning in. As with many game shows that incorporate finding "the one," on national television, ElimiDate is extremely unrealistic, so if you let your teen watch, we recommend you watch with them. You might have a conversation about dating and the importance of boundaries and self-respect. But mostly you should just avoid this mess of a dating show if you can.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the premise of the show. Is this a realistic portrayal of dating? Is it possible to really get to know someone in such a short period of time? Why would someone subject himself/herself to this kind of humiliation?
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 17, 2001
- Network: WB
- Genre: Game Shows
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: February 28, 2022
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