14 DAY TRIAL // If it quacks like a duck, it’s usually a duck, an old saying goes. For 4 Mormon men from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, just because they’re attracted to men doesn’t mean that they’re gay – and they’re out to prove it to the world with their wives and their new reality show on TLC.
Embedded below is a teaser for the new series, which will premiere on the channel in January. It’s already generated quite a debate online, because the whole thing comes across as a sad and desperate attention and money grab.
Choosing an “alternative to an alternative lifestyle”
As you can see in the trailer below, these men know that they’re attracted to other men but they insist they’re not gay. They won’t even admit to being bi, but say that whatever it is that’s happening to them and making them be attracted to other men can be made to go away with prayer and the right choices.
“With our faith in God we believe we can overcome anything,” one of them says, explaining how no marriage was “perfect” and his was no exception. Another adds, “I like to say I've chosen an alternative to an alternative lifestyle.”
The series documents the life of couples Pret and Megan, Jeff and Tanua, Curtis and Tera, and bachelor Tom. All 3 wives know of their men’s preferences but they too insist that they are not gay. One of them even admits on camera that she gets “a little defensive” when she talks about it with other people and they tell her that her husband is gay.
At least Tom seems honest about it: he is attracted to men but he wants to marry a woman. He just doesn’t know what to do with all these feelings he has. The trailer also shows the moment when he admits to his preference to one of his dates – and she doesn’t seem pleased with it.
TLC or how to make a fortune off curiosities
TLC stands for The Learning Channel, but in recent years, the network has positioned itself as the top provider of curiosities in reality television.
If it’s not overweight Honey Boo Boo and her family enchanting audiences with redneck humor, it’s a show about morbidly obese people trying to lose weight or another one about people addicted to eating anything from soap or toilet paper to a dead boyfriend’s ashes.
The bottom line is that TLC specializes in reality shows that aim to be “different,” for better or worse. My Husband’s Not Gay falls in line with that – and just like all other series from TLC, it will probably prove very controversial but also terribly successful.
Produced by Hot Snakes Media, My Husband’s Not Gay premieres at 10 p.m. on January 11. Will you be watching?
