Love Games: Bad Girls Need Love Too
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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 this adult-oriented dating competition is only slightly less horrible than The Bad Girls Club, the reality trainwreck that spawned it and includes confusing messages about relationships and love. Prepare for physical violence between contestants (including punching, pushing, and slapping), sexually charged antics (including open-mouth kissing and some blurred nudity) and streams of bleeped swearing (including angry girls who yell, "Get the f--k out of my house. Get your s--t. Move the f--k out!" at guys they deem unworthy). There's also a lot of drinking and partying, which leads to iffy behavior and promiscuity.
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What's the Story?
Three vixens plucked from previous seasons of The Bad Girls Club are looking for lasting romance in LOVE GAMES, an elimination-style reality dating competition that gives 13 prospective suitors the chance to impress them. There's Sarah from Season 3, who admits that temptation always gets in her way; Amber from Season 3, who recognizes that she can come on "a little bit too strong" when it comes to guys; and Kendra from Season 4, who allows money and status to cloud her judgment. Comedian Bret Ernst plays host.
Is It Any Good?
Love Games improves upon the cringe-worthy Bad Girls Club formula by presenting a trio of women who aren't pushing, slapping, or punching each other. Instead, they're cordially interacting with men, and occasionally throwing drinks in their faces. So while it's refreshing to see the women getting along, it's clear that social conflict hasn't disappeared completely. And neither have the promiscuous bad-girl antics these women are known for.
What's interesting about the show is that it does show a different side to the Bad Girls and reveals a paradox they themselves probably aren't aware of: Each says they want a good guy who's honest and takes the time to get to know them for who they really are. Yet the way they comport themselves when they're partying in front of the cameras is all about pretense and outrageousness. Based on that, they're not likely to find real love of any sort.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularly of reality dating competitions and how often they actually result in heartfelt love. What's the appeal of shows like these? Do you think this program is targeting men, women, or a mixed audience?
How does this show reinforce negative stereotypes about women? What about men?
How many positive role models can you find among the prospective pool of suitors? How well do those men fare with the Bad Girls?
TV Details
- Premiere date: March 16, 2010
- Network: Oxygen
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: February 25, 2022
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