It starred human resources manager James Getzlaff, who searched for a partner among a group of fifteen men.

The series was protested by several conservative Christian organizations for its perceived positive representation of LGBTQ people.

Numerous publications have cited it as either one of the worst or most controversial reality television series of all time due to the inclusion of covert straight contestants in a same-sex dating show.

Set in Palm Springs, California, the series depicted James Getzlaff, a 32-year-old human resources manager, selecting a partner among a group of fifteen men (referred to as "mates").

[1] The fifteen men were required to move into a house together, in which they went on one-on-one dates with Getzlaff and competed in a variety of group activities.

In determining which men to send home, Getzlaff consulted with his longtime friend Andra Stasko, a married straight woman.

According to executive producer Douglas Ross, "[w]e very specifically designed this show to challenge the viewer's preconceived notions about what it means to be gay and straight.

"[1] While the producers were interested in exploring "sociological issues", the twist of some contestants being straight was implemented in an effort for the series to reach broader audiences.

[8] Producers sought straight men who were interested in confronting stereotypes, specifically those who had "important people in their lives—a relative, a college roommate, etc.—who happened to be gay".

[2] As leading man, Getzlaff was required to have a "best female friend" to offer him guidance as he eliminated mates.

[1] During the filming process, Getzlaff and Behr and the mates remained at separate houses in Rancho Mirage, California.

[18] The series aired alongside Queer Eye for the Straight Guy as part of the network's gay programming block.

[20] In March 2006, the series was released for streaming on OutzoneTV.com, an LGBT-targeted broadband channel created by Bravo and PlanetOut.

[23] The show received a mixed reception from television critics; their response was summarized as "fearfully dull" by The Guardian.

[25] Lawrence Donegan of The Guardian believed it was noteworthy "that a respected network such as Bravo is willing to broadcast a series focused entirely on the theme of gay romance".

"[27] Some critics compared the series to the unaired 1995 The Jenny Jones Show episode "Revealing Same Sex Secret Crush".

[7] In 2004, television producer Craig Zadan claimed that a second season did not materialize due to a lack of advertisers.