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The Daily OrangeScantily clad, bisexual Tila Tequila represents necessary new TV genre
By Nathan Mattise
Posted: 4/28/08, 11:04 PM EST Section: Feature
Culturally relevant television shows have been few and far between. There was "All in the Family," the "Roots" miniseries, "Ellen" and maybe even "Will and Grace" to name a few. But just because no one else wants to admit it, Tuesday nights have been becoming increasingly relevant since last fall.
That's because "A Shot at Love II with Tila Tequila" is on.
You've lost a little bit of respect for me, right? Hear me out though. Shows like Tila's have become fascinating to me because of the potential cultural significance hidden within them. That's right, Google "cultural significance + Tila Tequila." See if that's the first time anyone let those two share a sentence.
Now obviously there is a lot to cringe at. Tila Tequila gained her fame through some Playboy photo shoots and her status as the most popular, scantily clad friend on MySpace. Also her show is very similar to all the other dating shows on television - raunchy, exploitative, lewd, mindless, violent at times, fake and over-dramatic. But take it from a loyal viewer; it's her sexuality that makes Tila's reality dating show different from the others, and more significant.
Tila Tequila is a bisexual. This means unlike "The Bachelor," "Rock of Love" or "Next," men and women vie for Tila's love simultaneously on "A Shot at Love." A critic can argue this is merely taking TV dating exploitation to the next level, but the fact remains that Tila is one of the only bisexual television personalities. Can any of us name another big television personality or show that features an open bisexual?
"Female bisexuality could possibly be exploited for male viewers, and I'm not sure what the intent of that show is, but producers are probably thinking about who's watching this," said Adrea Jaehnig, director of the LGBT Resource Center. "On the other hand, this show might make people think of sexuality outside of the heteronormative. And one show can't do everything, but I do think it opens up the possibility for what can be."
That's because "A Shot at Love II with Tila Tequila" is on.
You've lost a little bit of respect for me, right? Hear me out though. Shows like Tila's have become fascinating to me because of the potential cultural significance hidden within them. That's right, Google "cultural significance + Tila Tequila." See if that's the first time anyone let those two share a sentence.
Now obviously there is a lot to cringe at. Tila Tequila gained her fame through some Playboy photo shoots and her status as the most popular, scantily clad friend on MySpace. Also her show is very similar to all the other dating shows on television - raunchy, exploitative, lewd, mindless, violent at times, fake and over-dramatic. But take it from a loyal viewer; it's her sexuality that makes Tila's reality dating show different from the others, and more significant.
Tila Tequila is a bisexual. This means unlike "The Bachelor," "Rock of Love" or "Next," men and women vie for Tila's love simultaneously on "A Shot at Love." A critic can argue this is merely taking TV dating exploitation to the next level, but the fact remains that Tila is one of the only bisexual television personalities. Can any of us name another big television personality or show that features an open bisexual?
"Female bisexuality could possibly be exploited for male viewers, and I'm not sure what the intent of that show is, but producers are probably thinking about who's watching this," said Adrea Jaehnig, director of the LGBT Resource Center. "On the other hand, this show might make people think of sexuality outside of the heteronormative. And one show can't do everything, but I do think it opens up the possibility for what can be."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 11
john
posted 4/29/08 @ 8:59 AM EST
MTV appears to be intellectually dishonest in the way it touts this show as a "bisexual dating show". If it's a "bisexual dating show", where are the male bisexuals? MTV has consistently omitted male bisexuals from both series. (Continued…)
maz
posted 4/29/08 @ 9:17 AM EST
I think the writer (Nathan Mattise) of the article has got it wrong. The simple fact is that Tila and MTV are propping up the sleazy straight guy fetish for "girl-on-girl" action. (Continued…)
Adena
posted 4/30/08 @ 5:45 PM EST
I too watch Tila Tequila, and I'm a bisexual female. I'm oft offended by the show, but then I remind myself that in order for bisexuality to get any visibility, esp on MTV, it needs to be more about the "sex" then the "bi. (Continued…)
simon
posted 5/01/08 @ 8:22 AM EST
I don't think Tila represents true female bisexuals at all. I think she represents females who use bisexuality as a marketing ploy. Beware of these marketing-ploy bisexual females - they're usually out for money or free drinks. (Continued…)
betty
posted 5/01/08 @ 2:15 PM EST
Hey man, great article. Oh yeah it's sleazy entertainment, and the bisexuality of it is the angle, that's all, marketing ploy and all. It still gets a person to thinking. (Continued…)
benet
posted 5/04/08 @ 1:19 AM EST
Maybe Tila accually saw something in Bobby that she didn't see in Dani that she really loved. It was probally hard for her to chose because I think she really is bisexual. (Continued…)
samantha
posted 5/04/08 @ 4:18 AM EST
The dumbness of the average American college student knows no bounds, as is evident in some of the responses to this article. The simple fact is that Tila does not enhance the understanding of bisesxuality at all. (Continued…)
roger
posted 5/04/08 @ 5:43 AM EST
I'm a straight male long time grad of Syracuse. Two chicks getting it on still turns me on. Way to go MTV. As far as depicting a true homosexual relationship--I wouldn't watch. (Continued…)
Bisexual Dating Sites
posted 1/12/09 @ 1:40 AM EST
If your not bi sexual, but was interested in having a 3 way with 2 girls, its always a great idea to look online, theres a bunch!
john
posted 1/14/09 @ 10:53 AM EST
Bisexuality is just for people who can't make up their minds.
Either that, or they're too desperate to put all their eggs in one basket.
That said, to tout Tila Tequila as some sort of cultural icon is ludicrous when she's just another dumb slut on TV. (Continued…)
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