Television: What Happened to Love?

Even a romance novelist finds the show a stretch

Bogart and Bacall. Tracy and Hepburn. Homer and Marge. Rock- well and Conger? It's doubtful that last pair will linger long in the hearts and minds of the public, despite the fact that their entire courtship was broadcast, for our amusement and amazement, on national television. Of all the women in all the world--or at least of the 50 finalists willing to trade dignity for fast money--he chose her. Isn't that romantic?

Nope.

The entire concept and execution of Fox's Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire? are the antithesis of romance. Romance requires more than ratings, more than a gimmick and...

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