I know I will regret admitting this, but I am hooked on a summer show called Age of Love.  I guess it’s not that hard to believe…I watched every episode of Joe Millionaire, too.  I think I like to live vicariously through people who choose to act like retards on national TV, or something.  Anyway…

The show is centered around Mark Philasomethinorother, a 30 year old Australian tennis star.  He’s edited to be a very good catch.  Enter Team 40’s.  Six forty-somethings (the oldest chick is 4 8) compete to win the Aussie’s heart right there on NBC!  This is entertaining in itself, mostly the expression on Mark’s face as he learns he signed up to date older women.  (You’d never know it from the way these women look, though)  Things get really interesting in the second episode, when they bring out Team 20’s…you got it, a bunch of recent college grads who look hot, but compared to the 40 somethings raking in $250K a year…well, they seem like babies. 

Of course much editing is done to make the 20 somethings look like bumbling idiots.  The 40 year olds come across as smart, smooth operators.  But I have to say, the 40 year olds are really running over the 20’s during all the competitions.  The camera often cuts away to one of the women, who have an opportunity to make commentary on how they think they are faring against the other chicks.  There are lots of snipes about how the 40 year olds are “decrepit” and “barren”.  The 40 year olds are at least smart enough to acknowledge their competition, but also confident enough not to freak out.  All of the 40 somethings have shrugged at least once to say, “It’s just a man.  We’ll see what happens.” (I am so rooting for the older team!)  But as the show goes on, the competition heats up, and pretty soon all the women, regardless of age, are acting like ‘tards, all googly eyed and drooling over the dude.

And I guess this is what makes the show entertaining for me…the imaginary competition that these women have fabricated.  It’s a big social study on sorry, sorry behavior.  The women inevitably resort to backstabbing and weeping into the camera.  And for what?  To eventually run each other down over an (albeit very hunky) ape who will choose one of them, date her for the mandated 30 days after the show ends, and then break up with her after they discover “it’s just not going to work out?”  Why the competition? 

It’s something that has always driven me crazy about my own gender.  It’s pretty well known that women don’t dress up for men.  They dress up for other women.  They constantly compare themselves.  And for what gain?  To feel bad about themselves?  To ensure that they weigh a half a pound less than their friends?  To boost the microscopic level of self esteem that has been eroded from reading too many issues of Cosmo?  I know, I know, these shows are edited for maximum ‘tard display, but some of these ladies’ comments make me want to bust through the TV and shake them and quote that song: 

“The race is long, but in the end, it’s only with yourself.” 

So ladies, I urge you to join me in watching Age of Love.  Men, if you are secure enough, with your chest hair and your ability to sing the Star Spangled Banner with your armpit, then feel free to participate too.  Join the social experiment to see that all women, not just the young ones, who go on dating shows are pathetic and most likely hunting for an acting career. 

Yes.  It’s a total waste of time.  But great for insomnia and cheap entertainment.