TLC wades into some awkward waters with its new reality series Virgins, premiering Monday, June 9 at 9 PM ET. The show follows three people in their 30s and 40s who, for various reasons, have yet to experience sex—and are now ready (or ready-ish) to take the plunge. The premiere, Strike Out, introduces viewers to Sonali, Deanne, and Alex, each with their own unique set of anxieties, expectations, and family baggage they’re bringing to the table.
Sonali’s story turns the lens on familial pressure and cultural expectations, as she tries to break free from the more traditional strictures of her Indian upbringing. Deanne’s search for “Prince Charming” has a distinctly rom-com bent, while Alex, out of the dating game for over a decade, finds the whole process of swiping and meeting to be a steep learning curve.
The show’s format looks to be a mix of straight-up dating doc and deeper exploration of intimacy—complete with awkward first encounters and conversations with intimacy partners. Whether TLC can strike a balance between genuine vulnerability and cringe-worthy reality TV tropes is an open question, but the premise alone seems likely to draw viewers.
Virgins premieres Monday, June 9 at 9:00 PM ET on TLC.
