Deconstructing New York: I Love New York, Uh, Not so Much

I Love New York, VH-1's hit reality series is in its second season, in the hopes of finding true love for its heroine, Tiffany Pollard a.k.a. New York. Not having watched the first season, from what I have gathered, it apparently it did not work out between New York and the beau she had chosen for her happily-ever-after. As they say, the course of true love never runs smooth.

It was VH-1's penchant for endlessly rebroadcasting their reality shows, that finally made me stopped and watch an episode of I Love New York, my downfall to be sure. As I watched, hoping to keep what is true, noble, and good inside me from being completely corrupted, I realized why I Love New York is such a popular reality show, mainly the star herself.

New York is really, honestly looking for love. Unfortunately, she fails to realize that finding true love on a reality show is like finding a needle in a haystack. A wall flower she is not, on the show New York comes across as a woman who is loud, opinionated, bold, confused, tacky, needy as hell, a little stupid-lacking in the type of intelligence I admire, and along for the ride is her mother who I have not quite figured out. New York claims to want a man she can dominate, unaware that no women, deep down, really wants a man like that. On top of all of this, New York has mentioned on the show that she is now seeing a psychiatrist. Note to New York: it is not working out, get a new shrink girl.

Yet for all that, I feel for New York, mainly because she comes across as vulnerable woman. Now it could all be an act, but for the most part, I do not think so. Her need to be loved is put perfectly on display, like her newly bought boobs, no more so then at the end of the show. New York has chosen the men she wants to stay, each grabbing a glass of champagne, she asks her signature question, "Do you have love for New York?' Their answer "We love New York." Occasionally, New York asks, "Really you do?," needing assurances for like the upteenth time.