I've never spent much time watching the Oxygen Network, nor have I watched many films based on Romance Novels. But tonight I happened across a film called "My Sexiest Mistake," starring Sabrina Lloyd. I liked her in "Sliders" years ago (a series which otherwise sucked), so I thought I'd watch for a few minutes. "My Sexiest Mistake" is based on a romance novel about a romance novelist. To cure her writers' block, the author decides to try screwing a man-whore. She arranges to meet a male escort at a hotel, but picks up a random stranger by mistake (with sexy results). (Actually they don't end up doing it because her lucky oh-so-responsible stranger didn't bring any comdoms). I like comedic aspect of mistaken-identity-man-whore for numerous reasons. For one, it affords me the rare opportunity of saying "man-whore." I also like being able to yell suspense-thriller reactions such as "No, don't sleep with him! He's not the real man-whore!" I also like the irony of male prostitution being not only legitimized but trivialized on a womens' network. Sadly, as in most Oxygen-like material I've watched, the plot is only advanced once the male becomes totally emasculated. The progression goes something like this:

1. They have a night of passion. Both parties are satisfied. 2. Woman subsequently realizes she banged the wrong guy. 3. Woman blames the guy, plots revenge for his precognitive lapse. 4. Woman comits felony by leaving man in hotel room chained to bed. 5. Time passes, and they meet again. Woman persists in hatred of man for his unwitting deception (though he is now her publisher). 6. In an astounding act of self-immolation, man crafts a romantic apology. 7. Romance ensues. Man allows his professional judgement to be affected by their romance. Woman, in effect, uses man to advance her career. 8. They live happily ever after.

You can draw your own conclusions, but (like all other Lifetime and Oxygen shows I've watched) I would classify the themes of the show as socially regressive. But, just one last time, I'd like to say "man-whore." Thanks.