The Original Dating Game: A Classic Game Show!

By | November 15, 2017

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Chuck Barris was a game show genius. He was thought to have a “dangerous mind,” especially when it came to game shows. He was very creative and was known to be an entertainment wizard. One of the many game shows he created was, The Dating Game… a show, that first aired in 1965. The innovative show highlighted a female contestant that was to decide who she wanted to go on a dream date with, based solely on a man’s answer to her questions. The bachelors were not called by name, but rather as, Bachelor No. 1, Bachelor No. 2 and Bachelor No. 3.  

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The Dating Game, was hosted by Jim Lange, who wore a “cheesy” tuxedo. It was a ground-breaking concept wherein a young and beautiful woman would be a game show contestant interviewing three eligible bachelors. The purpose of the interview was to determine which one she might have a romantic connection with. Just because the bachelors were eligible, didn’t mean they were desirable; but that was always relative and to be seen. The female contestant and the bachelors were separated by a visual barrier. The woman would ask questions that the men had to answer, on the spot. The questions were usually suggestive and somewhat quirky, making the show all the more interesting.