I hate the words ‘middle aged’. Partly because I am, according to the dictionary definition, ‘middle aged’ which states you are neither young nor old and between the ages of 40 and 60. This is factually correct.
ut also partly because the term has connotations attached of being a fuddy duddy, old fashioned, boring and past it. I don’t think I’m any of those things to be perfectly frank, although my children might beg to differ. Thankfully their opinion doesn’t really matter a feck to me and that is one good thing about getting older – not caring what others think about you.
This week ITV announced a new ‘middle aged’ Love Island spin off. The show will be called The Romance Retreat and will see middle aged contestants stay at a luxurious villa somewhere nice and hot in a bid to find love. The catch is, all the parents have to be nominated by their grown up children.
Apart from the odd few seconds when channel hopping, I have never actually watched Love Island. The concept makes me uncomfortable – the whole series is based on physical appearance. Everyone is beautiful, superficial and back stabbing. That doesn’t sit well with me.
Each week the contestants are given the task of pairing up with each other and the public vote on which couples to boot off the show. To me it’s cruel and manipulative. It appeals to viewers worst instincts – a desire to make fun and slag off others.
What I did find amusing and more than slightly irritating about discussion regarding the middle aged version this week was that people were predicting it would be some sort of cross between the Golden Girls and Cheers.
“Ah wouldn’t it be lovely though – to see all the middle aged people on it. They could hold hands and go the cinema and stuff,” surmised one radio presenter. Sorry?! We are middle aged not DEAD. Next they’ll be suggesting the put a bridge room into the villa so they can play in the afternoons!
What about the sex? – an essential element of Love Island. Middle aged people have sex as well as going to the cinema you know. Some of us are at it like rabbits! Why do younger people assume that ‘middle aged’ people have no interest in the raunchier side of life? Your libido doesn’t disappear once you hit forty. It may take you longer to get where you want to go but it’s still there.
However you will be relieved to know I won’t be applying. I’m not one for getting my kit off in public. I wouldn’t stand naked in front of the dog never mind a houseful of strangers. But good on anyone who has the cojones to do it. I do hope they will be kind and respectful of each other.
I think us mid lifers could teach those young ’uns a thing or two don’t you?
