Lifetime offers us this delightful game show/reality series hybrid for the New Year. In each episode, a beautiful young straight woman will meet three gorgeous hunks. As the title implies, she must figure out which of the three is straight and single. The other two boytoys are in relationships, one with a woman, the other with a man. Can our party girl figure out who's who by the end of the day?
In episode one, we'll meet Jenner, a 27-year-old real estate agent. Beautiful enough to be a model, Jenner is witty and sharp as a tack. But nothing prepares her for the dazzling beauty of the three dudes she's going to work with. Viewers whose sexual proclivities lean towards men might fall off their chairs as Luciano, Mike and Chris walk towards Jenner in slow motion. After introductions, the guys take off their shirts so Jenner, and we, can look them over. Lube, anyone? All three guys swear that they're straight and single. Two are lying.
Jenner has Luciano give her a massage. He can't be gay, can he? He's attentive, and obviously comfortable touching her. And that dazzling smile of his could melt a girl's (or a guy's) heart! Mike might be gay. He and that hunky male yoga instructor sure seemed to bond. Chris appears to be a bit tense when he and Jenner take a quick Salsa class. Is he uncomfortable touching a woman, or is he thinking of his girlfriend?
In 30 fast-paced minutes, Jenner and the guys get to know each other. Clues are dropped that each guy is gay or straight. Can you figure out who's who? If Jenner picks the "right" (straight, single) guy, she and he will go on an all-expenses-paid trip to Hawaii. Pick the wrong guy, and he gets to take the trip with his straight or gay other half.
Gay, Straight or Taken? is pure fluff and pure fun. It's shot in an unnamed tropical setting. The participants are smart, fun-loving folks who are clearly having a blast! The series also manages to make a number of good points about not judging people according to stereotypes. But the show never lectures. Fun in the sun remains front-and-center from fade-in to fade-out. It's a charmer!
Gay, Straight or Taken? premieres Monday, Jan. 8, at 8 p.m. on Lifetime.