Age Of Love: Ranking The Top 6
Oh, Mary Don't You Weep - Please!
By Donna Emery
July 11, 2007
This week on Age of Love, Mark Philippousas got to know his 8 favorites better, and narrowed the field down to 6. This show is giving older women a good name, and it's given Mary a chance to audition for a crying scene in a soap opera near you.
The stakes were definitely higher this week, and the tensions were definitely more pronounced between the two groups of ladies, as all eight contenders were forced to live together. It seems that all of the activities on this show have a physically strenuous component. I know that Mark is an athlete, so maybe these are his choice, but it seems like too much of a coincidence. The triathlon pitted the age groups against each other, and later on it was a tennis match that showed their skills and assertiveness. I don't think it's any coincidence that the older ladies triumphed over their younger counterparts, in both contests.
I don't want to seem cynical, but the show really does seem a bit preferential to the older group. Although Mark did bestow his first kisses - and the very special "kiss-kiss" on two younger girls, he seems more relaxed and less unsure of himself with the older women. I also don't think it's any coincidence that all of the older women are very fit, beautiful and charming while the younger group seems somewhat more airheaded, immature and clueless. Let's put it this way: I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the creator of the show either is or has a penchant for attractive older women.
Having said that, I will admit that Mark has me a bit puzzled. If he is truly looking for romance rather than just a fling, you'd think that he would choose someone whose temperament is somewhat like his own. Mark is quiet, diffident and polite rather than bold, talkative and energetic. Yet, the ladies who he seems to prefer are the vibrant and sparkling Amanda and the bold and assertive Jayanna.
I said last week that opposites attract, and it does seem that way. The girl most like him in personality is Megan, and she's gotten the least amount of air time - though it's clear that something about her charms him. Of the older women, the quietest is Jen, and this week's kiss with her was one of the ones that knocked his socks off.
So, if we were to go with that, I'd predict that Megan - the youngest contestant will end up pitted against Jen as the eldest. It would make the show quite interesting, in terms of its premise. And it may yet play out that way.
But I think that one of the more outgoing ladies will win, and it's looking more and more like Jayanna could gain on Amanda, who remains the leader, in my opinion.
As for the eliminated ladies, I think both of them brought it on themselves. Although neither of them were purposely trying to get rid of Mark, and both seemed to sincerely want to stay, both of them made very obvious mistakes in their strategy.
Though Kelli charmed him, and he felt relaxed, Mark's shyness and introverted nature should have been a tip-off to her that if she wanted a kiss, it needed to come from Mark.
He also seemed very upset by learning from Amanda that Kelli was advertising their kiss.
Though Mark had to know that all of his kisses would be televised, I guess that during the course of the game he preferred not to "kiss and tell."
Kelli seems to be a charming and lovely woman, and I hope she finds the right man. She deserves it.
As for Tessa, nobody had a more perfect scenario to charm Mark this week. She really had him right where she wanted him. He went out of his way to honor her decision to ignore her painful ankle in order to show him her motivation. He wanted to give her romance and to find out who she is. Instead, she wasted most of the time talking about his connection to Amanda, and gave him very little of herself. I can understand insecurity, but when a man focuses that much attention on you, the very least he wants is to be showered with praise.
Amanda
Current Ranking: 1 - Previous Ranking: 1
Amanda, 25 is an assistant to a financial planner from Tennessee who's looking for "the perfect man".
She's still number one, because he went out of his way to reassure her that her kisses are special for him. I don't know what a "kiss-kiss" is, but according to Mark she's the only one he wanted to do that with, and it's clear that he really enjoys it. I think she needs to look out, because the runner-up is gaining on her.
Jayanna
Current Ranking: 2 - Previous Ranking: 2
Jayanna, 39 is a loan officer from California.
She didn't get a "kiss-kiss", but what she got certainly wasn't too shabby. He loves this lady's boldness and energy. She's the youngest of the older group, yet at times she seems like its spokesperson. Of all the older women, for now she seems to have the best shot.
Jen
Current Ranking: 3 - Previous Ranking: 6
Jennifer, 48 is an executive assistant to the Los Angeles Lakers who wants a man who values family as she does.
This quiet and beautiful lady has charmed him, and her kiss really seemed to surprise him. If he's looking for someone as quiet and intense as he is, I think he might choose her.
Maria
Current Ranking: 4 - Previous Ranking: 3
Maria, 42 is a photographer from California who says she falls in love easily.
Last week she almost left, but this week she seems determined to stay. Though
she often acts more like a mom than a date to Mark, he seems to like her
honesty and easy charm.
Mary
Current Ranking: 5 - Previous Ranking: 8
Mary, 24 is a dialysis technician from California who says she's levelheaded and thoughtful.
This girl truly needs to shut off the waterworks. I am so tired of seeing her cry. The show is stressful on everyone, yet she acts like every glance at another woman is an invitation to pull out her tissues. I really would like to see her go home, though I'm sure that will inspire an even more intense bout of crying.
Megan
Current Ranking: 6 - Previous Ranking: 4
Megan, 21 is a student from Illinois who wants to get married.
She is the lady most like him in personality, yet that hasn't earned her much time with him, or a kiss. If she doesn't soon go out of her way to charm him, she may go home without him.
Tessa
Sent Home
Tessa,23 is an executive assistant from Arizona who calls herself headstrong.
She had her chance, and she didn't use it to her best advantage. She's got only herself to blame for the outcome. However, her looks and personality will probably see to it that she's not alone for long.
Kelli
Sent Home
Kelli, 40 is a legal secretary from California who loves outdoor activities.
A very charming lady who took matters - and Mark - into her own hands. It didn't work out for her, but I wish her the best. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adelaide
Sent Home
Adelaide, 26 is a magazine editor from California. She likes to sing and dance.
It was a complete shock to her when she got sent home, and I have to say it was a surprise to me, too. I really thought he liked her, and of course we had no way of knowing that he didn't sense any response from her, in their kiss.
Lynn
Sent Home
Lynn is a 40-year old makeup artist from Tennessee who says she's a "bit of a homemaker".
Last week, Mark asked her to show him who she is. She didn't do it, or he didn't hear her doing it. Either way, she went home this week.
We're getting down to the end, and I have to wonder how many more sports dates the producers can think up. It's interesting to speculate about this show, and mostly I am curious to see who he ends up with.
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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