Dating shows are a cornerstone ofreality TV, but despite this subgenre’s popularity,there’s a distinct lack of series that gives LGBTQ+ communities a televised shot at love. That’s why so many audiences were thrilled (and extremely confused) whenFor the Love of DILFS,an LGBTQ+ show, premiered onOutTVlast year. This program plays off of the unabashed fun of shows likeLove Islandand showcases a cast of a majority of gay men. Half of whom identify as ‘himbos’ and the other half as ‘daddies’ . And all trying to find love and secure a $10,000 grand prize. This series' name is enough to make viewers pause, and the overzeal of both its contestants and hostStormy Daniels(yes, that Stormy Daniels) ratchets up its ridiculousness to truly laughable heights.
But the best part is…the series recognizes this! It capitalizes onits own absurdity in a truly expert wayto create surprisingly compelling television, making viewers laugh but also spotlightingimportant aspects of LGBTQ+ culture that most mainstream shows wouldn’t touch.For the Love of DILFsmay be extremely outlandish, but its commitment to its premise and the surprisingly nuanced identities on display create a thoroughly enjoyable and informative watch for all.
‘For the Love of DILFs’ is Reality Camp at its Finest
While its general setup may not be the most original,For the Love of DILFSsets itself apart from any other LGBTQ+ dating for embracing just how wild its premise is. The series follows similar rules toLove IslandandPerfect Matchin having people searching for their true lovein a picturesque mansion. In each episode, a person who nobody wants to pursue a relationship with is sent home, and the pair who makes it to the end not only secures a (potentially) lifelong partner but a nice bonus of $10,000. Not an exceedingly inventive premise, the series sounds like your typical reality fare until viewers meet the contestants: ‘Himbos’ (which the series seems to define as any Gay man younger than 35) and Daddies (any gay man who dares to be older than that).These broad distinctions of LGBTQ+ identitiesare questionable in themselves, and this paired with the borrowed rules could have easily cemented this series as another of the countless unoriginal dating shows to grace streaming. Yet there is one essential aspect of this show -besides being one of the few to spotlight purely LGBTQ+ people - that truly elevates it: it’s hilarious.
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It’s unclear whether the contestants recognize just how comedic their actions are, but it’s that authenticity that grants the show its uniquely campy flair. Whether it be a game ofGuess Who?where contestants are only able to see one another’s backsides or one player asking another to move, so he can talk to his current partner (only to be quickly friend-zoned by said partner), this show manages to make you cringe and laugh in equal measure. It’s camp at its finest, with each player extremely theatrical yet seemingly genuine in their attempts to maneuver dramatically throughout the gamein the hopes of eventually finding their true love. The series recognizes this drama, though, and takes the time to poke fun at itself with the surprisingly funny commentary from resident narrator ‘Dr. DILF’ (Phil Horn) who constantly teases the show about how exaggerated it is. All of this combines into a truly chaotic, hilariously wild series, one where the contestants are fully committed to their own theatricsand that audiences are encouraged to find humor in.
Representation Comes from the Funniest of Places
WhileFor the Love of DILFsmay rely on some of reality TV’s most overused tropes, it’s surprisingly innovative in its spotlight on underserved communities. Any series with a cast of all LGBTQ+ individuals will have some aspect of marginalized identities on display - especially when it comes to dating shows, as the Queer community is one of the most underrepresented in this category. And while series likeI Kissed a BoyorAre You The Onedo offer insight into the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals, there is usually at least one unifying aspect about them; whether it be body type or age range, this representation is always centered around a core shared trait that automatically excludes members of that identity.The only unifying aspect ofFor the Love of DILF’scontestants is that each of them has a romantic and sexual attraction to men. Other than that, the cast isa wide range of individualswho represent parts of the LGBTQ+ community who don’t often get their time in the spotlight.
The show allows viewers a glimpse into the experience of being an older Gay man and the struggles that come with not only dating at an advanced age but also trying to connect with a community that often seems determined to forget you.This showcase of unheard stories is great in itself, yet the show goes even further by discussing LGBTQ+ topics that most popular programs would never touch.
The program is unabashedly, hilariously sexual, spotlighting the intimate lives of its contestants in a way that sometimes borders on uncomfortable. While this may be a drawback in some situations, it speaks to the series’ uncaring presentation of true LGBTQ+ experiences. It details complex topics like the nuances of being an LGBTQ+ parent, of searching for love when your body type falls so far out of what is considered ‘conventionally attractive’, and so much more, amplifying theexperiences that so many Gay men go through but are rarely ever discussed. It shirks the concept of ‘social acceptability’that most LGBTQ+ shows are pushed to abide byand showcases these individuals in a way that is wholly LGBTQ+. And while the entire series is constantly mocking itself for its histrionics, it never discredits the experiences of its contestants; it allows them the space to share what led them to such an irreverent show and how the society that surrounded them shaped the distinctive Gay person they’ve become. This show is packed with comedy, but it’s through this funny chaos that it displays true depictions of modern LGBTQ+ dating that are hard to come by anywhere else.
‘For the Love of DILFS’ Is the LGBTQ+ Dating Show We Didn’t Know We Needed
As inclusive as it is endlessly amusing,For the Love of DILFsis unlike any dating show audiences have seen before. Not only is it immediately distinct for bringing together a completely LGBTQ+ cast but its disregard for the decorum most mainstream series are pressured to follow allows it to telltruly provocative stories of the actual LGBTQ+ experience. Of course, these resonant narratives are packaged within campy scenes of men fighting over one another (with the term ‘Daddy’ being used at least ten times in each), but that only drives this series’ ability to be both educational and hilarious. It’s a perfect combination of LGTBQ+ representation and funand is something that many viewers may have never realized they wanted to see.
With so many dating shows existing and almost all of them sharing the same tropes, is it possible for one to stand out above the others? Even when a show is specifically LGBTQ+ it will often fall into these tired clichés and create something that uses its diversity more as a draw point for audiences rather than an element to create a truly distinct story. Well, inFor the Love of DILFs, the series takes viewers' favorite parts of reality dating shows, ratchets it up to its most dramatic possibility, andinjects it with unabashed LGBTQ+ representationthat providesa real insight into the community that most mainstream series are sorely missing. And while it often borders on cringe-inducing, it balances this with the player’s visible authenticity and encourages its viewers to laugh while imploring them to listen to the real stories being told. A truly unpredictable (yet always enjoyable) program,For the Love of DILF’sis truly a marvel of modern reality TV.
Season 2 of For the Love of DILFs is available to stream on OUTtv.
