Netflix's new 'Sexy Beasts' dating show just might be terribly weird enough to work

Okay, Netflix. You may have actually done the impossible and intrigued me enough to want to watch a stupid dating show.
I generally loathe vapid reality shows and roll my eyes at dating series like The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. Call me old-fashioned, but the idea of gathering a group of conventionally attractive prospects, dating them all at once on camera, and then publicly weeding them out feels super gross to me.
So what makes Netflix's "Sexy Beasts" different? Well, just watch:
No, you're not hallucinating. SEXY BEASTS is a new dating show that uses cutting edge prosthetics to put true blind… https://t.co/3UAyLA1gbb— Netflix UK & Ireland (@Netflix UK & Ireland) 1624449618.0
Come on. That's so dumb. But at the same time, it looks just ridiculous enough to be entertaining and just mysterious enough to be intriguing.
I mean, it looks horrible. Like, "Is this really what humanity has decided to do with all of its evolution and tech advances?" kind of horrible. And yet here I am, contemplating whether or not I'll watch.
I feel like I'm being trolled, but I'm enjoying it. Even Netflix UK & Ireland seemed to troll their own share of the preview, which would be perfectly appropriate considering the absurdity of it all.
The quote tweet function was truly built for this moment.— Netflix UK & Ireland (@Netflix UK & Ireland) 1624450763.0
"This is cursed and I love it," is surely the most accurate reflection of most people's reaction honest reaction to the idea.
@BreeWilkinson_ Correct response.— Netflix UK & Ireland (@Netflix UK & Ireland) 1624451570.0
It's not like we don't know we're being baited. We totally do and we totally are and for some reason we don't even care. It's like the pandemic took away all of the filters we'd normally use to weed out such shenanigans from our lives and left us with nothing but "OH WHY NOT."
@getoffthetoilet @Goldfishwars @netflix They will absolutely succeed. People aren't admitting how intrigued they are.— MIGHTY CASEY WAS A BET UNCUT LEGEND (@MIGHTY CASEY WAS A BET UNCUT LEGEND) 1624461256.0
I admit it. I'm intrigued. Not really knowing what someone looks like adds a twist to the traditional dating show, but making them look like outrageous creatures and characters takes it to a whole other level.
The amount of makeup time seems absolutely ludicrous, of course. They could have just put bags over people's heads. But where's the fun in that?
Some people have pointed out that the contestants still appear to be conventionally attractive, at least as far as body size and shape goes. So it's not *just* personality that people will be assessing on these dates. Fair point.
@ladyriven @netflix Thank you! That's always been my issue with these shows. "I was so nervous. I wasn't sure if s… https://t.co/lc8iEWHK30— Chris Hodges (aka StealthMantis) (@Chris Hodges (aka StealthMantis)) 1624450578.0
Again, it's so dumb. Absolutely ridiculous. And yet, I may actually watch one episode. Maybe just half of one. I can't help it.
And as I say that, I'm feeling this reaction real hard.
Here I was thinking I was above such basic manipulation, but apparently, I was wrong. I didn't even cave to The Tiger King craze—not even one episode—but one weird furry-wanna-be-meets-The-Bachelor preview and I'm a goner.
Damn it, Netflix. Thanks for yanking me straight down the tube.
12 non-threatening leadership strategies for women
We mustn't hurt a man's feelings.
Men and the feels.
Note: This an excerpt is from Sarah Cooper's book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings.
In this fast-paced business world, female leaders need to make sure they're not perceived as pushy, aggressive, or competent.
One way to do that is to alter your leadership style to account for the fragile male ego.
Should men accept powerful women and not feel threatened by them? Yes. Is that asking too much?
IS IT?
Sorry, I didn't mean to get aggressive there. Anyhoo, here are twelve non-threatening leadership strategies for women.
Encourage.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When setting a deadline, ask your coworker what he thinks of doing something, instead of just asking him to get it done. This makes him feel less like you're telling him what to do and more like you care about his opinions.
Sharing ideas.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When sharing your ideas, overconfidence is a killer. You don't want your male coworkers to think you're getting all uppity. Instead, downplay your ideas as just "thinking out loud," "throwing something out there," or sharing something "dumb," "random," or "crazy."
Email requests.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pepper your emails with exclamation marks and emojis so you don't come across as too clear or direct. Your lack of efficient communication will make you seem more approachable.
Idea sharing.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
If a male coworker steals your idea in a meeting, thank him for it. Give him kudos for how he explained your idea so clearly. And let's face it, no one might've ever heard it if he hadn't repeated it.
Sexism.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you hear a sexist comment, the awkward laugh is key. Practice your awkward laugh at home, with your friends and family, and in the mirror. Make sure you sound truly delighted even as your soul is dying inside.
Mansplain.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Men love explaining things. But when he's explaining something and you already know that, it might be tempting to say, "I already know that." Instead, have him explain it to you over and over again. It will make him feel useful and will give you some time to think about how to avoid him in the future.
Mistakes.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pointing out a mistake is always risky so it's important to always apologize for noticing the mistake and then make sure that no one thinks you're too sure about it. People will appreciate your "hey what do I know?!" sensibilities.
Promotions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Asking your manager for a promotion could make you seem power- hungry, opportunistic, and transparent. Instead, ask a male coworker to vouch for you. Have your coworker tell your manager you'd be great for the role even though you don't really want it. This will make you more likely to actually get that promotion.
Rude.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Sometimes not everyone is properly introduced at the start of a meeting. Don't take it personally even if it happens to you all the time, and certainly don't stop the meeting from moving forward to introduce yourself. Sending a quick note afterward is the best way to introduce yourself without seeming too self-important.
Interruptions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you get interrupted, you might be tempted to just continue talking or even ask if you can finish what you were saying. This is treacherous territory. Instead, simply stop talking. The path of least resistance is silence.
Collaboration.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When collaborating with a man, type using only one finger. Skill and speed are very off-putting.
Disagreements.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When all else fails, wear a mustache so everyone sees you as more man-like. This will cancel out any need to change your leadership style. In fact, you may even get a quick promotion!
In conclusion...
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Many women have discovered the secret power of non-threatening leadership. We call it a "secret power" because no one else actually knows about it. We keep our power hidden within ourselves so that it doesn't frighten and intimidate others. That's what makes us the true unsung heroes of the corporate world.
About the Author: Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper is a writer, comedian, and author of 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings. Her new book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings, is out now.
The comedic book cover.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
A satirical take on what it's like to be a woman in the workplace, Cooper draws from her experience as a former executive in the world of tech (she's a former Googler and Yahooer). You can get the book here.
This article was originally published on March 25, 2019.