My Antonio

TV review by Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media
My Antonio Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 15+

Italian heartthrob looks for love in iffy reality show.

VH1 Reality TV 2009
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age 10+

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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 reality series -- in which 13 women try to win the heart of actor/model Antonio Sabato Jr. -- includes lots of catty behavior, sometimes instigated by Sabato Jr.'s own mother. There’s also plenty of drinking (cocktails, wine, champagne) and strong sexual innuendo, as well as flirty talk and discussions about failed relationships. Words like “hell” are audible, while curses like “s--t” and “f--k” are bleeped.

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What's the Story?

In MY ANTONIO, Calvin Klein model/actor Antonio Sabato Jr. attempts to find love among 13 women chosen to live in a house in Hawaii and compete for his affections. The women face off in a series of challenges demonstrating their commitment to him; meanwhile, his mother, Yvonne Kabouchy, offers her frank opinions about which woman her son should be dating -- and who he should ask to leave. Adding to the drama is the appearance of Sabato Jr.’s ex-wife, Alicia Tully Jensen, who's convinced that they should try to rekindle their relationship.

Is It Any Good?

While the contestants on My Antonio aren’t as over-the-top as those on other similarly themed reality shows, there's still lots of strong sexual innuendo, drinking, and catty arguments. The latter is aggravated by Kabouchy, who seems to think nothing of manipulating her son’ dating choices.

Sabato Jr. is a polite and charming host, but that's not enough to disguise the fact that the series does little more than perpetuate sexist stereotypes about women and their supposed need for a man’s affection. Tully Jensen's appearance only reinforces this characterization. Bottom line? Like many others, this show’s approach to reality romance is less about love and more about creating drama.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about whether it's really possible to find true love on a reality show. If not, why do you think people choose to participate in this kind of program?

  • How does the show portray women? Is that typical of similar reality shows? Are the contestants on any of these series intended to be role models?

TV Details

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