Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Voyeuristic U.K. dating game has innuendo, cursing, alcohol.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
I Kissed a Boy
What's the Story?
Hosted by pop singer Dannii Minogue, I KISSED A BOY is an unscripted British series about single gay men looking for love in the Italian countryside. Ten single men individually arrive at a luxury Italian masseria (farm house) hoping to meet their future boyfriend. As each one arrives, they meet the person with whom they've been preliminarily matched. But rather than starting with a simple "hello," the two immediately kiss upon meeting in hopes of igniting some sparks, and then spend time talking. After everyone settles in, the participants begin interacting and making decisions about whether they want to continue to explore a relationship with their original match, or announce that they want to date someone else during the "kiss-off" ritual. Tensions rise as they date each other, participate in challenges, and reveal details about who they're jealous of or which couples they think will fail. Those who don't find matches are expected to leave the premises. Throughout it all Matteo the housekeeper passes along information and instructions to the cast. When the experience is over, those who are paired up hope to continue the romance and have a long-lasting relationship.
Is It Any Good?
The voyeuristic unscripted series, which is the U.K.'s first gay dating show, features men hoping to find someone to build a romantic connection with. Much like on shows such as Love Island, folks partner (and re-partner) up while engaging in lots of superficial banter and flirtatious behavior. It's evident that contestants feel that they are in a safe space in which they can celebrate their homosexuality; some share personal stories about the difficulties they've faced while coming to terms with who they are as gay men, and finding the courage to live their truths. There are men who also talk about how hard it has been for them to feel as if they fit into the gay community, despite their sexual identity. These narratives make some of the cast members more interesting, but are buried in the innuendo-filled hook-ups and dramatic fallouts designed to make I Kissed a Boy entertaining.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about reality dating TV shows. Do people really expect to find love by appearing on them? Or are these series designed only to entertain audiences?
Does I Kissed a Boy challenge stereotypes about the LGBTQ+ community? Or does it reinforce them? Why?
TV Details
- Premiere date : June 14, 2024
- Cast : Dannii Minogue
- Network : Hulu
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : July 24, 2024
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