Let me be the first to say that I love Lance Bass, I love Logo tv and I love the whole idea that there will finally be a "Gay Bachelor" esq. type dating show.
I have long dreamed of a network that would finally deliver fun programming for the LGBT Community, especially when it comes to dating and relationships. When it comes to people talking about gay relationships on tv, I often feel like I am a lone man on a tiny island in the middle of ocean.
So, when Logo finally unleashed the first part of its press wave for the new series "Finding Prince Charming" I was ALL OVER THAT SHIT!
I watched the first trailer and immediately dissected the cast in a way that any Matchmaker/Romance Enthusiast would. And I have to say... they did not disappoint.
The first look gave us what every "bachelor" and reality tv fan wants, needs and craves:
1. A Hunky Suitor:
Robert Sepúlveda Jr, a Puerto Rican born Instagram model/interior designer. He's a classic tall, dark and handsome man that would send any gay man (or straight woman) on a downward spiral. Especially after scanning through his very racy Instagram, Robert has proven to be not only easy on the eyes, but worthy of being called a Prince.
2. Crying
As we all know, nothing makes a reality show more compelling than when people cry. From talking about heartbreak, a dog dying or hell- even a check bouncing, if you tell the story and cry, we will cry with you. The shows teaser has plenty of crying in the typical bachelor format. From the "I'm falling in love with someone" to the "I have to send someone home tonight" - Finding Prince Charming looks like it will deliver.
3. Drama, drama and MORE drama!
When making a fresh batch of Gay Bachelor, the main ingredient is one heaping cup of drama - and this first look also delivers a major look of the drama to come. From one of the suitors shouting "I'm calling the cops!" to "No one is gonna bite me, cause I'll fuck'en attack!" - Finding Prince Charming looks like they will be serving some juicy goodness all season long.
"That being said, my friends at Logo have a heavy weight to carry on their shoulders. This show could easily be really good or REALLY BAD. (Insert everyone's PTSD about The A-list NY)
There are two major concerns as we go into the show:
1. The Bachelor:
As much as I love Prince Charming's sexy bachelor, I worry that we are setting unrealistic expectations for the gay community and that gay men will watch this show and think that the "relationship recipe" is a one size fits all.
As we all know, the gay community has many different subgroups within our community. From Bears to Twinks, not all guys will be looking at Robert as the ideal mate when it comes to dating. Some would even go as far to say that he looks like the kind of guy most would avoid.
Sure, Robert is handsome and has great job (Interior designer/Instagram model) - but is that really all it takes to be a great catch? I pray to god that the show delivers a little more depth to Robert as all we know of him right now is that he is a hot piece of ass- and that my friends is a dime a dozen and not the key to a long term relationship.
Also, allow me to revisit the whole "Instagram Model" moment. Is that really a thing? I would have branded him as a "social media personality" if I was going to acknowledge his Instagram fame. But selling him as a model on Instagram is a bit short sighted. It's like saying that a gay relationship and a hot body are a must in order for it to work. If that was the case, then we should give Grindr the award for best relationship app. There are dozens upon dozens of hot, naked, shirtless men there. But no gay man would ever say that Grindr is your "go to" for meeting quality men.
After scanning Robert's Instagram, there are a few signs that he is a quality man with much more to offer than just a six pack and a Speedo. Let's just pray we get to see that.
2. Plot Twists:
If history has served me and the gay community well, there has yet to be a gay dating show without some weird plot twist that did more harm than help to the community. Insert shows like Bravo's 2003 "Boy Meets Boy" where straight guys were mixed into the herd of single suitors and the awful FOX dud, "Playing It Straight" - where a woman was set up with sexy hunky suitors that were straight AND gay. The show forced gay men to hide under contrived masculinity in order to win a cash prize.
So with Finding Prince Charming I can only hope that the only plot twist is that other suitors fall for each other, as the teaser subtly hints at. That to me is real life and happens all the time whether it be straight or gay relationships. Sometimes the journey to find Mr. Right leads you to finding "Mr. Right In Front Of Me this whole time!"
Other than these two main concerns, the show looks like its a job well done and I couldn't be happier to see it take to prime time and get all the well deserved press it's been getting.
Last but not least, big props to Lance Bass, I think that he is the perfect host for the show. Lance is recently married and just announced that he and his husband Michael are ready for children.
That right there folks is the kind of shit gay dreams are made of.
Finding Prince Charming premiers Friday September 8, 9pmEST on Logo.
David Cruz, III
David is the Founder and Creative Director of Finding Cupid. He has been writing about Dating & Relationships for the last five years and is a contributor to Huffington Post, Frontiers Media, Your Tango and many other publications. David can often be found in the greeting card aisle searching for the ultimate love card, or a bakery making bad decisions for himself.
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