Age Of Love: Ranking The Top 10
What Does Mark Really Want?
By Donna Emery
June 28, 2007
This week on Age of Love, Mark Philippousas narrowed his choices down to 10. By watching carefully, I am starting to get some small clues as to what he seems to be looking for.
This show intrigues me because despite its threadbare premise and the acting as skillful as a grade school play, I love dating shows this one is no exception. From the beginning, I've suspected that Mark was "in on" the tricks of the first episodes, but that he is as sincere as can be about his actions and reactions to the women of the show.
Having watched him for two episodes, here are my preliminary conclusions:
Mark is a nice guy. He seems genuinely nice, kind and well-mannered. He is not overly vain about his amazing good looks, and his comments about the women are consistently positive. Though I doubt that he judges the ladies by their looks, I don't think that their looks are hurting their chances. He's made several comments about certain of their body features: Kelli's legs, Tessa's cleavage, Amanda's smile and Megan's eyes.
It seems like a shame, but these ladies seem to have been cast somewhat as stereotypes. Each of the younger ladies could be easily transported to the cast of "Beauty and the Geek", and the older ladies seem to be smart, professional, fit and beautiful. Though it is supposed to be an even contest, the petty comments and shallow observations made by some of the younger ladies make it seem very scripted, in my opinion. I predict that the final two will be one from each of the two groups, but who he'll finally pick is, for now, a mystery.
Though Mark has the poise of a celebrated athlete, he seems almost shy and diffident with all of the women. He can hold a conversation and he knows how to flirt, but so far the women who've inspired him to admit that he was attracted have been somewhat aggressive. They've sought him out, and they've gone out of their way to ask questions just one level deeper than basic chitchat.
Mark has asked many of the women to show him who they are. In a way, this seems unfair, because dating six women at once means that none of them are going to get much alone time, unless they seek it or win it. In two cases - with Jodie and Angela - winning that 1-on-1 time has spelled defeat for them, because it showed Mark that he didn't see a future with that girl.
So, what's a girl to do? Since Mark seems to think - or at least to say - that all of the women are lovely - and he seems to respond warmly and politely to all of them, at this point I'd say that it would be a good idea to seek Mark out as best as possible, and try to show him something of their true selves. He will either end up liking them and wanting to know them better - as has been the case with Adelaide and Jayanna, as well as a few others - or he'll discover that you aren't the girl for him.
Of the ones who've been sent home so far, the only thing that they seem to have in common is that they didn't really go out of their way to be unique. Though they showed Mark their friendly interest and affection, they didn't make themselves stand out enough to let him think they'd have a future together. In a way, maybe it wasn't such a bad thing for them, since if they don't have a future with Mark maybe its best that they go home and find the right person for them.
So, how do I think they're doing, so far? I'm basing my ratings this week on what Mark has said to them and how he's reacted to them during the episodes. As the contest progresses, I think we'll see lots of shifting around. But for now, here's how I see them ranking:
Adelaide
Current Ranking: 1 - Previous Ranking: None
Adelaide, 26 is a magazine editor from California. She likes to sing and dance.
She's exactly what Mark said he was looking for: she's young, good-
looking, charming and friendly. He was sold as soon as she told him she was a
fellow Australian, but she also impressed him with her energy at DDR and her
boldness in asking for private time. Amanda may have found her disgusting, but
Mark seems to like her very much!
Jayanna
Current Ranking: 2 - Previous Ranking: None
Jayanna, 39 is a loan officer from California.
Mark was very impressed by her last week, and although we didn't see much
personal interaction between them this week, he told her to keep doing what she's
doing. That sounds like a big advantage to me!
Maria
Current Ranking: 3 - Previous Ranking: None
Maria, 42 is a photographer from California who says she falls in love easily.
I saw some real warmth in their interaction, and he told her that he really
wants to get to know her better. She charmed him last week at the rappelling,
and he smiled a lot at her in the roller rink. I think I'll rate her pretty high this
week.
Megan
Current Ranking: 4 - Previous Ranking: None
Megan, 21 is a student from Illinois who wants to get married.
She's perky, friendly and he lit up when he talked to her. He said that he
"definitely" wants to get to know her better. I think he will.
Kelli
Current Ranking: 5 - Previous Ranking: None
Kelli, 40 is a legal secretary from California who loves outdoor activities.
Mark loved her legs, and now that she's seen the full scope of her competition I think she may be able to become assertive enough to approach him and impress him further.
Amanda
Current Ranking: 6 - Previous Ranking: None
Amanda, 25 is an assistant to a financial planner from Tennessee who's looking for "the perfect man".
She impressed him enough to be part of the private party at his house, and he
definitely likes her smile. She'd better get over sharing him if she wants to keep
on advancing, and what Adelaide did is mild compared to the usual dating show
catfights.
Tessa
Current Ranking: 7 - Previous Ranking: None
Tessa,23 is an executive assistant from Arizona who calls herself headstrong.
Mark loved her looks, and he encouraged her to stop being shy. I think he wants
to see if there's more than just a physical attraction. For now, her looks are
putting her above some of the others.
Lynn
Current Ranking: 8 - Previous Ranking: None
Lynn is a 40-year old makeup artist from Tennessee who says she's a "bit of a homemaker".
Mark liked her outgoing nature last week. This week, he asked her to show
him who she is. If she does, she may go higher in rank.
Mary
Current Ranking: 9 - Previous Ranking: None
Mary, 24 is a dialysis technician from California who says she's levelheaded and thoughtful.
She seems very insecure, and she was sure she hadn't impressed him at
all. She impressed him enough to stay, but just barely. I hope she finds her
confidence next week, or she may be the next to go home.
Jen
Current Ranking: 10 - Previous Ranking: None
Jennifer, 48 is an executive assistant to the Los Angeles Lakers who wants a man who values family as she does.
Mark told her that "there's something there" between them, but I think he's
having some real problems with the fact that she's got a son who's almost his age.
I don't know how much longer she will remain in the running.
Donna is a nurse and teacher, and a mother of 5. She lives in Pennsylvania and is admittedly addicted to many reality shows. You can reach her at mrsed4ever@yahoo.com.
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