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Joe Millionaire

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TV Series

The Resume

    (January 6, 2003-November 24, 2003)
    FOX
    Joes: Evan Marriott (season 1), David Smith (season 2)
    Hostesses: Alex McLeod (season 1), Samantha Harris (season 2)
    Butler: Paul Hogan
    Premise: an ordinary working stiff has to maintain the illusion that he is actually heir to a major fortune
    Location: Season 1 in France, Season 2 in Italy

Why Joe Millionaire might be annoying:

    It ripped off The Bachelor.
    The ‘hostesses’ were only actively shown in the first episode. In each subsequent episode, they appeared only to remind the debutantes of the inevitable elimination ritual.
    Interestingly, almost none of the women bought the story but went along with it anyway (money talks).
    The music was stereotypical Masterpiece Theater.
    Because Americans were already familiar with the premise (and therefore unlikely to be caught with their pants down), the second season featured European women (Germany, Italy, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands) — and a much higher greed factor.
    The European debs managed to speak near-perfect English at all times — even after a hangover.
    It gave us the nonsensical phrase ‘bread baggage,’ spoken in mangled French.
    Paul received more air time in any segment than the hostesses received during the entire season.
    Whereas the Bachelor always did it himself, Paul announced the candidates who were to advance to each following round.
    FOX found out the painful way that the premise, couldn't be done again.

Why Joe Millionaire might not be annoying:

    The novelty having long since worn off, the second season finale scored less than a third of the original’s audience.
    In post-show interviews, some of the debs admitted not being there for love at all.
    As catty as they were toward each other, the debutantes were almost always of one voice when viewing the ‘hostess’ as the equivalent of the Grim Reaper.
    Some group dates tested the values of those who advanced to that stage. Those who saw the Joes’ world as a mere playhouse tended to get a rude awakening. Those who saw it as a real environment with real people tended to fare better.
    Many group dates were filled with entertaining cat fights.
    David (the second Joe) had a better working relationship with Hurricane, a horse, than with the debs.
    Although Evan selected Zora, they eventually end their romantic involvement they remain on good terms with her.
    It won the 2004 ASCAP award.
    Sesame Street spoofed the series through a segment dubbed ‘Joe Hundred Guy’ (who could only count to 70!).
    FOX executives took responsibility for their greed in trying to revive the concept.

Credit: Cool It All Right?


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 33 Votes: 12.12% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 5 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 11 Votes: 90.91% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 20 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 11 Votes: 63.64% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 14 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 21 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 16 Votes: 81.25% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 21 Votes: 76.19% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 59 Votes: 71.19% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 48 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 73 Votes: 76.71% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 169 Votes: 75.74% Annoying
    In 2005, Out of 335 Votes: 69.85% Annoying