Dating game in skivvies

As an old person, I'm getting forgetful. So I forgot all about the latest rewind of Dating Game, MTV's Undressed.

The show debuted August 16, but it took me a while before I finally got around to sampling an episode on MTV's web site. For no particular reason I picked ep number 2, with couples named Benthley and Grace, and Jake and Amber. The second pair inhabits the screenshot, which is shamelessly exploitative. But with shows like this, it's easy to get into an exploitative frame of mind.

The format is not elaborate. Each couple stripped down to their skivvies, which allowed a nice look at their tattoos. (Amber had more than anybody else.) Then they got into bed. Then a rather Orwellian big screen showed questions and commands, which each couple discussed and/or followed. The screenshot shows Jake and Amber obeying the screen when it told them to "spoon." Except Amber started whining that she hated to cuddle. Okay, honey, this is obviously the dating show for you.

Things progressed more warmly with Benthley and Grace. I got tired of all the nonsense pretty quickly, so I skipped ahead to the finale, when each couple decided if they want to continue their relationship. To nobody's surprise Amber bailed out with a "no." Don't worry, Jake, there are lots of other fish in the sea. Benthley and Grace both voted to keep on keeping on.

A few more thoughts. This thing makes GSN's current originals look intellectual. I hate to think how the game show Interwebs would howl if GSN tried something so brainless and cheesy. Undressed also wondered if each couple would make a "love connection." I assume MTV's lawyers cleared the use of the phrase. Finally, the show won't last long. The latest demos and viewer numbers were pretty bad by MTV standards.

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