Average Joe
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Average Joe (2003), Average Joe: Hawaii (2004), and Average Joe: Adam Returns (2004) are reality TV dating shows that aired on the NBC network.
The premise of the first two Average Joe series was intended to be somewhat of a mockery of traditional set-up shows such as The Bachelor and Joe Millionaire in which the "reality" premise is questionable. Instead of attempting to make a "dream couple" between two extremely attractive people, Average Joe tried to get 16 (in the sequel, 18) ordinary men to win over the heart of a beauty queen. The men are extremely average in appearance, with many being overweight or underweight and nerdy, or awkward in their behavior and personalities.
There are two main twists:
- Prior to the show's start, the beauty queen is not aware she will be dating "average" men. She is instead led to believe her show was going to feature only handsome suitors.
- Halfway through the show, these handsome suitors actually appear, to compete with the average Joes.
Throughout the show the beauty goes on various dates with the men, both in groups and individually (at her choice). When the attractive suitors show up, there are also competitions between the rival groups of men. At the end of every episode the beauty votes to send a certain number (usually four) of the men home. In the end, she must pick only one to go on an intimate vacation with.
The show appeared to have an implied moral subtext, namely that beauty was only skin deep, and that personality could ultimately triumph over looks. However neither of the first two seasons ended in a way that seemed to prove this. In Average Joe, Melana Scantlin chose Jason Peoples, one of the attractive suitors, over Adam Mesh, the last remaining average Joe. In Average Joe: Hawaii, Larissa Meek chose attractive Gil Hyatt over average Joe Brian Worth. A few days later, on a "honeymoon" between Hyatt and Meek, Larissa revealed she had once dated Fabio, which caused Gil to leave her in disgust. Yet Meek now owns a website design and art company registered and situated in Fort Lauderdale, which is Hyatt's hometown, leading many viewers to believe that the two continue to be an item.
The third series, Average Joe: Adam Returns, featured the return of rejected contestant Adam Mesh, this time as the object of the affections of 19 female contestants. Unlike in the first two series, which emphasized the awkwardness and average looks of the male contestants, the female competitors were generally all attractive. In the final episode, Adam chose saleswoman Samantha Trenk over schoolteacher Rachel Goetz.
A fourth season is in the works and is scheduled to air on NBC beginning on June 28, 2005.