Playing It Straight is an American reality television series broadcast by the Fox Broadcasting Company (Fox). The series premiered on March 12, 2004, although it was abruptly cancelled by the network following the broadcast of its third episode on March 26, 2004. Filmed in Elko, Nevada, at the Sizzling Saddle Ranch, the series followed Jackie Thomas, a 21-year-old college student, as she was pursued by a group of fourteen men. Upon arrival to the ranch, it was revealed to Thomas that the group consisted of both straight and gay men. Through a series of individual and group dates, Thomas was required to eliminate men from the competition who she believed identified as gay. If Thomas ultimately selected a straight man, then the two split a reward of $1,000,000. However, if Thomas selected a gay man, he alone won the reward. The series was hosted by American television presenter Daphne Brogdon.

Playing It Straight was a part of Fox's intent to capitalize on a rising interest in LGBT-themed reality television shows. The series was conceived by producers as a version of the The Bachelor with an LGBT-related twist. Playing It Straight, however, was met with criticism from many television critics who believed that it reinforced stereotypes and promoted a negative portrayal of gay men. Playing It Straight premiered to modest ratings, which declined with the broadcast of its subsequent episodes. The series' mid-season cancellation impacted other LGBT-themed reality television shows, as it prompted some network executives to believe that the genre was unprofitable. On January 17, 2005, Fox released the full series on their website on a pay-per-view basis. Playing It Straight spawned adaptations in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.