Hulu’s Virgin Dating Show: Why It’s Hard to Watch

Hulu’s new dating series, Are You My First?, shakes up the reality TV scene by focusing on “sexy virgins” looking for love. The show’s quirky premise aims to entertain, but often misses the mark by turning virginity into a gimmick. While some moments are funny, the overall execution tends to be cringeworthy, leaving viewers wondering if it’s worth tuning in.

From the start, the show hammers in the fact that all contestants are virgins, using terms like “V-cards” for date cards and “virgin sacrifices” for eliminations. While these playful nods are meant to be humorous, they sometimes fall flat, making the joke feel forced.

The contestants themselves come from diverse backgrounds, with reasons for their virginity ranging from religious beliefs to personal circumstances. However, the editing tends to oversimplify their stories, reducing them to stereotypes like the church kid or the late bloomer. This flattening of characters trades their individuality for the sake of the show’s theme, turning virginity into a defining label rather than a personal choice.

Watching Are You My First? can be uncomfortable, as it frames virginity not as a personal value but as a marketable trait. Contestants are portrayed more as caricatures in a virginity-themed spectacle than as real people searching for love. The show capitalizes on their lack of experience, relying on awkwardness and insecurity to drive drama, rather than genuine emotional connections.

While there are fleeting moments of authenticity and vulnerability from the contestants, these glimpses are overshadowed by the show’s emphasis on sensationalizing virginity. Narration, set design, and overall tone constantly remind viewers that this is not just a dating show, but a show about virgins dating. The series struggles to strike a balance between entertainment and respect for its cast, often veering towards the latter.

In the end, Are You My First? leaves viewers questioning whether there’s more to its premise than meets the eye. While it attempts to celebrate waiting for the right moment, it often gets lost in the spectacle of virginity. So, if you’re looking for a reality show with heart and substance, this one might not be your perfect match.