For Love or Money: Joe Millionaire

The premise behind Joe Millionaire is similar to that of The Bachelor, in which 20 single women are "wined and dined" by a "handsome, young, eligible man who has recently inherited $50 million and is looking for someone to share his newfound wealth." But there is a catch…the finalist will have a surprise on the last episode and it ain’t a diamond ring. The surprise is that the newly rich Joe is really a working class guy with a construction worker’s paycheck and she has to make the choice of love or money. And let’s face it…sometimes it really is all about the benjamins.

Undoubtedly, the allure of trash TV ala The Bachelor, Who Wants to Marry A Millionaire, The Love Cruise and Temptation Island, will draw an audience of faithful viewers. The question remains, is nothing sacred? It is amazing that seemingly intelligent women would subject themselves to the humiliation of competing for a "millionaire." Is it possible to fall in love with a complete stranger in a matter of a few months? Or is it that they are falling in love with a life of supposed luxury?

Let’s just say this woman, the finalist, does fall in love with "Joe." Then, here she is expecting a huge rock and the end of her financial worries, and this guy, whom she loves says, "Oh by the way…I make about $19,000 a year shoveling dirt." Now let’s just say that she does love him, how is she expected to trust him after months of living a lie? Doesn’t really matter if she fell in love with "Joe" for love or money, if he has blatantly lied to her and made an ass out of her on national television…how can she ever trust him again? Now let’s just say she turns him down…how is he ever expected to get a date after knowingly living a lie in the media? Oh wait…I am sure there has got to be someone out there willing to date a now semi-celeb. But Ma…he’s been on tee vee…