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The challenges that the guys must undergo in order to try to convince the lady of their intentions are pretty standard, although they do seem to play up the gay-baiting vibe a bit more than necessary with limp-wrist-gauging trials like touch football and ballroom dancing (for which the guys must practice with a flamboyant male instructor). All the while, the lass comments on the guys' behavior and keeps a running guess of which one's gay, which one's straight and which one's taken.

Oddly, this all just goes to prove that some people are still living in the dark ages when it comes to tired stereotypes. Is it really that odd for a personal trainer to wear Speedo trunks rather than board shorts to the pool? Body-conscious swimwear equals insta-gay for this gal. And one suitor seemed uncomfortable dancing with a male instructor, which led her to conclude that he was straight, but wouldn't a gay man trying to hide his gayness act just as uncomfortable — if not more — in the same situation?

Fortunately, the show on the whole is fairly inoffensive to gay men and even manages to expose some ridiculous, dated stereotypes (gays can't play sports, only gays like show tunes, etc.). Gay, Straight or Taken's executive producer, Joe Livecchi, spoke with AfterElton.com and says that sensitivity regarding the gay issue was taken seriously. “We want the show to be all about breaking down stereotypes, not reinforcing them,” he said. Livecchi also noted that the producers spoke with GLAAD even before filming began, and that both GLAAD and the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network have seen finished episodes and given them favorable reviews.

Throughout the game, the three men are perfectly cordial and supportive of one another. Sure, it behooves them to look nice and friendly in front of the contestant, but even beyond the brown-nosing, the level of gay panic is extremely low. None of the men seem remotely offended when their sexual orientation is called into question, and there's no gay-baiting or harassing language during any of the challenges. After seeing bitch-fests like Parental Control or Next turn dating contests into episodes of Dynasty, it's refreshing to see adults act like adults without any backbiting or insults.

I won't give away who wins the first episode, but let's look at the possibilities again. First, there's a lovelorn lass who could win a vacation to Hawaii if she is able to pick the guy who's straight and single among the trio of dashing, hyper-attentive hunks. Then there are the men. One is straight and single and wants to win this vacation as well. One is straight and has a girlfriend, but wants to convince the player that he's single so that he can win the vacation for himself and his lady friend. Then there's the gay guy, who wants the player to think he's straight and single so that he can take the vacation with his man.

Out of these three men, who likely has the most experience hiding his sexual orientation, relationship status and romantic intentions? Who do you think might be most adept at identifying gay stereotypes and manipulating them to his or her own advantage? It would be worth watching at least a few more episodes just to see if any patterns emerge. And I don't only mean in the contestants' chest hair.

In the end, Gay, Straight or Taken? isn't really offensive, and despite some blatantly manipulative editing designed to mislead the audience (we're given misleading information that the contestant doesn't even have), on the whole it's executed with a fair degree of good will and respect. Those expecting harassment and hysterics will be sorely disappointed — this is more like Supermarket Sweep than Flavor of Love.

On this show, at least the gay guy isn't demonized for his sexuality and has just as much chance of winning as his straight counterparts, and in the end it just comes down to who can play the game best. Ultimately, the real question is whether or not that game is worth playing in the first place.

James Hillis contributed to this article.

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