We’ve always been obsessed with ultra good-looking celebrity couples and how they get together and, perhaps, even more so with how they break up. It wasn’t until VH1 introduced “Flavor of Love” that love became a commodity. With love repackaged as a tangible value item, we realized it could be used to gain viewers that equal advertising dollars, spurting spin-offs and storylines. In short, love makes for great entertainment even if the subjects aren’t celebrities or noteworthy.
To be fair, ABC discovered the idea first with their monster hit “The Bachelor,” But, VH1 urbanized and expanded the idea, creating over 20 series based on former celebrities trying to find the ever-so-elusive true love. All this set against a backdrop of scantily clad girls or beefy guys, all hungry for fame. Don’t forget the focal character is usually determined to stretch their 15 minutes of fame. It started in 2006 with Public Enemy hype-man, Flavor Flav; rock star Bret Michaels; Brandy’s controversial little brother, Ray J; TLC’s Chilli; and even rapper and Instagram model, The Game. No network has capitalized on our need to be voyeurs into the love lives of B-level celebs like VH1.
A VH1 marathon leading up to Valentine’s Day showcased their most popular series, including: “Flavor of Love” and “I Love New York.” After being a fan favorite on “Flavor of Love,” Tiffany Pollard, aka New York, managed to hold viewers captive as she worked her way through 20 guys in hopes of finding love. Pollard did it for two seasons and then her top contenders on her show, brothers Real and Chance won the opportunity to have their own show and ratings and the dollars rolled on.
If you get a chance to tune into VH1’s ode to love today, take a moment to reflect. No matter how good or bad your love life is, you probably are doing better than a contestant vying for ratings during VH1’s #14daysoflove.
