Hooking Up – A Preview

Pop quiz

Please respond with a Yes or No to the following items:

• I have taken desperate measures in an attempt to meet Mr. or Mrs. Right.
• I have done something to attract the attention of another individual only to be humiliated and embarrassed by my actions.
• I have found the man or woman of my dreams only to have those dreams turn into a nightmare.

If you responded yes to all three statements, you are normal. If you responded yes to at least one statement, you are only nine years old. If you responded no to all three items, you cannot be from this world.

Let’s face it; we’ve all been there and we’ve all done it… something, anything to meet the person who could possibly be our soul mate. Sometimes, things work out and we spend the rest of our lives in joyful bliss. More often than not, though, the relationship, or even just the attempt at a relationship, heads south and we’re left to wonder what’s wrong with us and what we should have done differently.

Sigh.

Trust me; if you can relate to this scenario all too well, you’re not alone. Beginning Thursday, July 14, at 9:00 PM (ET) on ABC, Hooking Up explores the journeys of 11 women from New York City as they use online dating to find potential partners and learn that people aren’t always who they appear to be. Let’s meet the women into whose lives we will be peeking. (I hope I don’t feel dirty doing this.)

Amy, 28, is originally from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and appears to be high-maintenance based on her bio on the show’s web site. Her list of criteria for the perfect guy is quite extensive and it seems that if someone falls even a smidge short of her expectations, he can forget about getting to know her. I think everyone should have an idea of what they want out of a mate, but they should also be open-minded and ready for surprises when they are dating! Amy also seems to be very honest and candid about her desire to have children; while truthfulness is essential to any relationship, she may be scaring men off if she is measuring them up as potential fathers for her babies… on the first date. Only time will tell if Chris, a professional poker player she has met online, is the right man for her.

Christen, with a C, is 25 years old and from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She says she is “looking for a man’s man,” so when she moved to New York, she went online to meet some “hot, beer drinking men” to show her around the city. Christen eventually meets James online; however, will there be an attraction when they get together in person?

Claire is 26 and an ad executive for Viagra. No kidding! She says she likes being the pursuer and while she’s not looking for Mr. Perfect, she knows that a man has to have certain qualities and characteristics for her to be interested. Men, just so you know, Claire is definitely not into pleated pants, so don’t even think about wearing them on a date with her.

Next is Cynthia from Queens, New York. The 33-year-old states on her bio that she has a curse because she is a lover of men. She also seems a bit skeptical of what men tell her online about themselves. I can’t say I blame her. How many of us have spent hours chatting online to “Dan,” a 42-year-old lawyer who loves dogs only to find out that “he’s” really “Danielle,” a 23-year-old with a rap sheet as long as my arm and a piercing for each year she’s been on earth? Oh, it’s just me? Well, moving on then… Cynthia was previously married and says her ex-husband betrayed her. She also states that she has always had a man in her life. I’ve known women who could not be without a partner; you want to tell them to take time out for themselves, but no matter what, they feel incomplete without someone in their lives. It sounds as if Cynthia may fall into this category.

Next, we have Kelly, who is a 35-year-old second-grade teacher from Seaside Park, New Jersey. In her bio, she says that, “Just because I’m not married and I’m in my thirties doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with me.” Amen, sister. Her attitude is exactly where it should be; however, just like Amy, Kelly has a strong desire to have children and says that even her doctor is concerned that her eggs are getting old. My stars! There’s good news for her and her eggs though; Steve has entered her life. The question is, will he remain there… and have babies with her?

Oh, great. I feel unclean already; this isn’t good.