Bravo is a channel that capitalizes on guilty pleasures. What else can really be said about a network that has developed seven installments — and apparently has four international installments in the works —of the ‘Real Housewives’ franchise? Granted, there are specialty shows on Bravo, such as the wonderful ‘Top Chef’ and the amusing ‘Work of Art: The Next Great Artist.’ However, the network still majors in drama, with a minor in food and art, respectively. At the end of the day, it’s just more fun to see two people have at each other than to see a delicious five-course meal that can’t be tasted. And then there’s ‘Millionaire Matchmaker.’

 

It’s tough to call a show the ‘best’ guilty pleasure, but ‘Millionaire Matchmaker’ is certainly most consistent in providing some intelligent, light entertainment. For those unaware of the show’s format, matchmaker Patti Stanger takes two single rich people, with a net worth more than one million, of course, and attempts to find them love. Whereas ‘Real Housewives’ can grow stale over time, ‘Matchmaker’ remedies this problem by bringing in fresh meat every show. And the variety of potential ‘contestants,’ if you can call them that, is astounding. There are men and women, straight, gay, awkward, forward, stupid, creepy and even desperate. There is no shortage of hilarity. One of the show’s highlights involved a date in which the millionaire acted like such a pretentious jerk that he got a drink thrown in his face.

 

Here lies the first caveat of enjoying this show: the moral high ground. Believe it or not, rich people can be egomaniacs. And when it comes to dating, that doesn’t change. Part of the pleasure in watching these hastily assembled dates and odd conversations comes from the fact that a majority of these millionaires are awful people. As viewers, we can think, ‘Wow, I am nowhere near as dumb as that.’ For example, in the show’s most recent episode, one of the millionaires spent a three-year stint in prison for being, to be blunt, a drug mule. No, that was not how he made his millions, and he expressed a desire to change his ways. However, attempting to end a first date by taking the girl into a hot tub doesn’t exactly help. And we, the viewers, look on enjoyably, patting ourselves on the back for not acting like scumbags and trying to get a girl out of her bathing suit.

 

Now, aside from the sense of superiority the show seems so set on serving us, there also exists classic TV escapism. The show’s subjects are incredibly wealthy people who can afford to spend on particularly lavish dates. The most recent episode wasn’t real proof of this trope, but in five seasons of matchmaking, there have definitely been enough helicopter dates to make even Donald Trump jealous. Millionaires also love using their boundless resources to rent out entire locations, such as restaurants, museums, yachts and more helicopters. Seriously, a lot of helicopters.

 

But this show of drama infused first dates would be nothing without the titular ‘Millionaire Matchmaker,’ Patti Stanger, who seems inclined to say whatever she wants. After all, it is her job to be brutally honest. She is essentially a casting agent for the role of soul mate. And her best moments are either candid while still throwing in bitingly mean one-liners, or confrontations with clients. In short, she’s a true character who adds an extra sense of amusement to an already laughably silly show.

 

‘Millionaire Matchmaker’ is crass, and pointless, but that’s why it can be a joy to watch. There is a place for mindless, somewhat unintentionally ironic programming. And sometimes after a long day, that’s all an overworked brain can handle. Viewers shouldn’t feel guilty, they should just sit back and enjoy.

 

jswucher@syr.edu

Published on October 16, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Jeff: jswucher@syr.edu