For the Love of Ray J
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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 older teens might want to check out this hip-hop flavored reality series that takes its cues from The Flavor of Love and Rock of Love with Bret Michaels and essentially functions as a commercial for Ray J and his music. But that doesn't mean they should. Iffy messages abound, and sexual content is heavy -- especially on the show's oft-touted Web site, where extra footage that was apparently too hot for television is posted for all to see. There's also plenty of drinking and strong language, although words like "s--t" and "f--k" are bleeped.
Community Reviews
BAD
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sooooooo watttttttttttttttttt
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What's the Story?
In this VH1 reality dating series, hip-hop star Ray J (the younger brother of R&B singer Brandy Norwood) is looking for true love -- or something that looks a whole lot like it -- with a little help from his platonic lady friend, Little B. After sorting through stacks of video applications, Ray J has whittled down a group of prospective girlfriends to 14, and now they're all living in a mansion and competing for his attention via a series of elimination-style challenges. Each week, new competitors are sent packing, and only one woman can win his heart.
Is It Any Good?
OK, so maybe you shouldn't expect too much from a young recording star who shot to fame thanks in part to an explicit sex tape he filmed with Kim Kardashian. But you should expect to be stunned by the sexually charged antics of this unoriginal reality series, which reinforces negative stereotypes about men and women.
Following an all-too-familiar formula, FOR THE LOVE OF RAY J isn't exactly offering anything new when it comes to entertainment -- just a brand-new crop of women who are willing to exploit themselves on camera for their own reasons. Some claim they're there for love, but in an age of reality-driven "romance," it's an increasingly bitter pill to swallow. VH1, make it stop.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the women competing for Ray J's affections. Why do you think they might have been selected for the show? How many of them seem like they're in it for their 15 minutes of fame, and how many seem like they're looking for real love? And what about Ray J? Do you think his intentions are true? Why might he have agreed to star in a show like this?
TV Details
- Premiere date: February 2, 2009
- Cast: Ray J
- Network: VH1
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: February 24, 2022
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