Love is often hard to find. So in the 1960s we turned to technology and started using television to play cupid. Whether it be in the form of quick blind dates or week-long courtships, the longevity and commercial success of dating shows has proven that people will go great lengths to find love — even if it’s manufactured by producers. But how often does this televised, forced coupling result in a long-lasting relationship?
1965-1999 “The Dating Game”: Partially spurred by the feminist movement and introduction of the contraceptive pill, casual dating became more acceptable. With this attitude came America’s first dating game show, which took a simple approach to matchmaking. A bachelorette would question three bachelors and then based on his answers, choose a lucky man to go on a date with. The catch was that she couldn’t see the bachelors during questioning — ABC’s attempt to make the show about more than just physical attraction. “The Dating Game” lasted until 1973, but the “New Dating Game” lasted through the 1980s. ABC continued to play repeats until 1999.
1988-1994 ”Love Connection”: This show flipped “The Dating Game” upside down. First, the contestant chose whom she would want to go on a date with based on three candidates’ videos. Footage of the date was shown before a studio audience, as were the candidates’ videos. The audience voted who they thought was the best choice and then critiqued the date. According to Chuck Woolery the show’s creator, “Love Connection” resulted in 29 marriages, eight engagements and 15 children.
2003-2010 “Room Raiders,” ”Next” and ”Date My Mom”: MTV became famous for its bizarre attempts at matchmaking, especially the string of shows in the mid 2000s. “Room Raiders” (2004-2006) consisted of a girl or boy entering the bedrooms of the potential matches and judging whether or not they would want to date them based on the content of their rooms. “Next” (2005-2008) was a strange twist on speed dating, consisting of five candidates waiting in the “Next Bus,” to take their turns meeting the contestant. They would go on a date and the contestant could say “next” at any point to move on to the next candidate. The candidate received $1 for every minute they lasted on the date. “Date My Mom” (2004-2006) came to fruition fittingly at the same time as “yo momma” jokes. This show consisted of a contestant going on dates with three different mothers who try to convince him or her to date their child.
2002-present ”The Bachelor”: This show differs from past dating shows in that it is a prime-time network show featuring a long-term dating structure. Instead of confining a contestant to one episode, the same narrative is continued throughout the course of an entire television season, giving the audience time to emotionally invest in and make predictions about the winners. The premise is basic: A bachelor or bachelorette is presented with 25 men or women who live together in an Augora Hills, Calif. mansion. To increase the cheesiness factor, every week the bachelor or bachelorette gives roses to those he or she wishes to stay. For the finale, the bachelor or bachlorette picks one contestant and has the opportunity to propose. “The Bachelor” is currently in its 18th season and “The Bachelorette” has had eight. Out of these 25 couples (Season 11 Bachelor Brad Womack did not choose a woman), only three are still together.
Dating shows don’t seem to be the most effective way of finding lasting love, but they are a commercial success. According to the New York Times, the last season of “The Bachelor” reached 8.8 million in total viewers — astronomical compared to the average 2.4 million viewers ABC receives for its regularly scheduled programming.