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The Dating Game

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TV Series

The Resume

    (December 20, 1965-September 1999)
    Aired on ABC (1965-73) and in syndication (1973-74,1978-80,1986-89,1996-2000)
    Hosted by Jim Lange (1965-80), Elaine Joyce (1986-87), Jeff MacGregor (1987-89), Brad Sherwood (1996-97) and Chuck Woolery (1997-99)
    Created by Chuck Barris
    Premise: A bachelorette asks three bachelors questions, then picks one to go with on a date paid by the show
    Sometimes roles were reversed with a bachelor questioning three bachelorettes

Why The Dating Game might be annoying:

    In 'Confessions of a Dangerous Mind,' Barris claimed the show was a cover for his CIA activities.
    The questions the contestants asked were prescripted.
    In some episodes, the contestant making the pick was a celebrity who should have been capable of getting dates on their own.
    The later versions of the show kept tinkering with the basic formula.
    It allowed serial killer Rodney Alcala on as a bachelor even though he was a registered sex offender (1978).

Why The Dating Game might not be annoying:

    It frequently aired in tandem with Barris' next big success, The Newlywed Game.
    Its format was copied by other shows, such as Love Connection.
    It used Herb Alpert songs for its musical cues, notably 'Spanish Flea' for introducing the bachelors and 'Whipped Cream' for the bachelorettes.
    It ranked #28 on TV Guide's list of the greatest game shows.
    At the end of each episode, the host and the winning contestants would blow a kiss to the viewers.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 37 Votes: 16.22% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 73 Votes: 43.84% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 8 Votes: 87.50% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 17 Votes: 64.71% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 11 Votes: 63.64% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 15 Votes: 46.67% Annoying