Frank the Entertainer in a Basement Affair
Frank The Entertainer in a Basement Affair is a VH1 reality television show starring Frank "The Entertainer" Maresca, who previously starred in I Love New York, I Love Money, and I Love Money 2. Unlike other dating shows, the contestants live with Frank and his parents in a house down the street from Frank's real home. The show premiered on January 3, 2010, with the series to run a total of 11 episodes. Fifteen women competed for his love. The winner was Kerry Schwartz.
Contestants
Call-out order
- In Episode 2, Mandy was eliminated before the ceremony due to Frank's mother's objection to her being in the house.
- In Episode 11, Frank tells the ladies that in a unanimous vote they had to decide who of the three will be going home.
Episodes
Episode 1: "Meet The Marescas"
First aired January 3, 2010The fifteen female contestants meet Frank Maresca and his parents. A photographer takes a family picture of each contestant with Frank and his parents. Frank consults with his parents when deciding whom to eliminate. In the end, Kari M. and Stephanie are eliminated. Frank's mom had previously expressed that she liked Kari more than Mandy, and was disappointed with Frank's decision.
- Bottom 3: Kari M., Mandy, Stephanie
- Eliminated: Kari M., Stephanie
- Kari M.: Frank didn't feel a connection with her.
- Stephanie: Frank felt she didn't know anything about him.
Episode 2: "A Big Decision"
As the episode beings, Frank informs the women that they will each be given an opportunity to showcase one of their talents. Each contestant will be given two minutes in the basement with Frank. The three women whose talents impress Frank the most will be invited on a group date to the Brooklyn bridge. Frank uses his microwave as a timer for each date. During the challenge, Christy decided to teach Frank hula-hooping even though he was better at it than she was. Cathy was late for her timeslot, which upset Frank, and as a result, she was only allowed one minute. Frank's mom interrupts Mandy's time, due to her distrust of Mandy. In the end, Frank is most impressed by Felicia, Kerry, and Renee. After the date, the women have a party outside in the hot tub. Cathy becomes inebriated, which upsets Frank, as he doesn't want her to wake up his parents. Frank's mom discovers vodka in one of the water bottles, and accuses Mandy of placing it there. Later, she further implores Frank to eliminate Mandy. Rather than make Mandy suffer through elimination, Frank privately asks her to leave. At elimination, Cathy and Jessica are in the bottom two, and it is Jessica who is eliminated.
- Challenge: Two Minutes In Heaven
- Winners: Felicia, Kerry, Renee
- Bottom 2: Cathy, Jessica
- Eliminated: Mandy, Jessica
- Mandy: Frank felt his mom doesn't like Mandy and feared that both of them will not get along with each other.
- Jessica: Frank felt that she has a lack of focus in her life.
Episode 3: "Haggle For My Love"
The Marescas are having a garage sale and wants his girls to sell items for money, whichever teams earns the most money wins the date with Frank. With a sluggish start, the yellow team had an idea giving massages for $10, but it irritates Mrs. Maresca. The Blue Team had also had an idea of drawing portraits from Annie. The garage sale ends and the Blue Team won the challenge, earning the most money. Frank took the winning team to a bar. The next day, Frank took Tammy and Christi to a cupcake shop. Frank felt he couldn't understand Tammy sometimes, but Christi gave the scoop about Renee spying on Frank. During elimination, Jenny and Tammy were at the Bottom 2, and ultimately Tammy was sent home.
- Challenge: Maresca's Garage Sale
- *Yellow Team: Christi, Tammy, Felicia
- *Blue Team: Annie, Dana, Jenny
- *Pink Team: Cathy, Renee
- *Green Team: Kerry, Melody, Melissa
- Challenge Winners: Annie, Dana, Jenny
- Bottom 2: Tammy, Jenny
- Eliminated: Tammy
- Tammy: Frank couldn't connect with her and he couldn't understand want she's saying.
Episode 4: "Getting To First Base"
- Challenge: 1st Annual Bikini Softball Game
- *Team Spaghetti: Cathy, Melissa, Christi, Melody, Jenny
- *Team Meatballs: Kerry, Felicia, Renee, Dana, Annie
- Challenge Winners: Kerry, Felicia, Renee, Dana, Annie
- MVP: Annie
- Bottom 2: Jenny, Renee
- Eliminated: Jenny
- Jenny: Frank found a sexy photo of her on the internet despite her "conservative" act.
Episode 5: "Nine Franks Are Better Than One"
- Challenge: To Take Care Of 9 Little Franks
- Challenge Winners: Melody, Kerry S.
- Bottom 2:: Felicia, Christi
- Eliminated: Christi
- Christi: Frank felt that he cannot trust Christi after finding out she is still friends with her ex-boyfriend and plus, His Parents felt like she was way too young and immature for Frank.
Episode 6: "Meet The Rest Of The Marescas"
- Challenge: To Meet The Entire Maresca Family
- Challenge Winner: Felicia
- Bottom 2:: Melissa, Renee
- Eliminated: Renee
- Renee: Frank felt that she was too weird.
Episode 7: "Sucker Punch My Heart"
- Challenge: To Sing For Frank And His Parents
- Team 1 / Working Out: Cathy, Melissa
- Team 2 / Video Games: Felicia, Melody
- Team 3 / Muscle Tees: Kerry S.
- Team 4 / Sleeping In: Annie, Dana
- Challenge Winner/s: Felicia, Melody
- Bottom 2: Annie, Melody
- Eliminated: Annie
- Reason for Elimination:
- Annie: She told Frank to let her go if he didn't have feelings for her.
Episode 8: "Big Dreams, Little Italy"
- Challenge: To Plan A Future With Frank
- Challenge Winner: Kerry S.
- Bottom 2: Dana, Melissa
- Eliminated: Melissa
- Reason for Elimination:
- Melissa: Frank felt that he would get along better with Melissa as a friend.
Episode 9: "We Need Therapy!"
- Challenge: Therapy With Girls
- Challenge Winner: N/A
- Dates: Melody, Felicia, Dana
- Bottom 2: Dana, Melody
- Eliminated: Melody
- Reason for Elimination:
- Melody: Frank felt that Melody was too good for him.
Episode 10: "A Family Affair"
- Challenge: Meet Possible Future In-Laws
- Challenge Winner: None
- Bottom 2: Dana, Kerry S.
- Eliminated: Dana
- Reason for Elimination:
- Dana: Frank felt that Dana was too young for him.
Episode 11: "Get Me Out of the Basement!"
- Final 2: Cathy, Kerry S.
- Eliminated/Quit: Felicia
- Reason for Elimination:
- Felicia: The challenge was choosing between the three last contestants, which girl should go home, and Felicia quit the competition after saying that she felt that Frank had more connection with Kerry and Cathy.
- Winner: Kerry S.
- Runner-up: Cathy
After the show
Frank's father, Gary Maresca, died on November 16, 2010, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 62 years old.
Frank married a girl from his hometown, Ashley Sansalone on September 13, 2013.