Games for singles A-L Shows are listed alphabetically and analyzed on the "Movie Western Scale" (see below). For more detailed information on, or pictures of, some of these shows, read The Encyclopedia of TV Game Shows, available at most game show fan's houses and also at your local bookstore.  Opinions expressed are mine, and possibly shared.

BIG DATE, THE BLIND DATE BZZZ! CHANCE FOR ROMANCE DATING GAME, THE (60S) DATING GAME, THE ALL NEW DATING GAME, THE (96-97) DATING GAME, THE (97) DOUBLE UP LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT LOVE BETWEEN THE SEXES LOVE CONNECTION (80s) LOVE CONNECTION (98) LOVE ME LOVE ME NOT

BIG DATE, THE

Hosted by: Mark Walberg

The Premise: A collection of contestants, playing two at a time, are asked compatibility questions. Wrong answers allow the chance of trading the other person in for a new one. Two right answers forms a couple. The two couples play a "me/not me" game to determine who earns the right to play for spending money for their date with guessing "true/false" statements about their other partner, with each question worth $50, and possibly the weekly drawing for a date in some exotic locale, if you are correct 4 times.

The Good: A first-run game show on USA network after axeing their afternoon game-show block for Wapner "The People's Court" reruns, LOVE CONNECTION, and this (Now, "this" on its own). At least Mark had a better game show around him than the horrible "Free 4 All" (and even more horrible "Pyramid" pilot). Also, THE BIG DATE adds a "Let's Make a Deal" element to the genre. "Would you like to keep Christine or see who's behind that door?" And some of the door occupants were men in drag or real ugly women.

The Bad: The host was fresh off his previous stint of hosting an ill-fated talk show (appropriately called "Mark Walberg"), where he regularly handled freaks - some of which seemed to be contestants on this show. It's been toned down a bit. Also, there are so many contestants walking in and out, you may get lost in what's going on unless you pay attention. Remember folks, this ain't the same Mark that was in "Boogie Nights"

The Good or Bad: (Depending on how you look at it, or where you live) You can call in and leave messages for the day's contestants on a 900 number. Perfect for stalkers, or at least "if you are or will be in the Los Angeles area".

The Ugly: Cheap in the prize department. Only one "Big Date" was given away each week of five shows. Everyone else settled for tooling around Los Angeles with less than $300.

Trivia: Before stepping in front of the camera, Mark was an audience warm-up comedian. Ever been to a TV show taping? Skip all of 'em except TPiR!

Take me up to the top.
Take me back to the main page.

BLIND DATE

Hosted by: Arlene Francis, later Jan Murray

The Premise:The first televised game of love, Blind Date featured six men who tried to impress three women on the other side of the stage. The men asked prewritten questions and used spontaneity to earn a night on the town. They would actually give away more than one per show.

The Good: This sparked a genre. Cut the number of contestants down and you have THE DATING GAME and a few other shows.

The Bad: Arlene Francis? Maybe she was the equivalent of Jenny McCarthy back then. Later she would become a regular on "What's My Line"  Also, predominately men in uniform.

The Ugly: All the dates were in New York City.

Take me up to the top.
Take me back to the main page.

BZZZ!

Entire page devoted to BZZZ! Click here!

CHANCE FOR ROMANCE

Hosted by: John Cameron Swayze

The Premise: The host with his panel of experts, including a marriage counselor, tried to hook up audience members.

The Good: Good idea, but you can go to any television show taping and the warm-up comedian will do the same thing, and not waste a half-hour of network time.

The Bad: Plenty, especially a marriage counselor, but I'm sure you don't care.

The Ugly: John Cameron Swayze once hosted the nightly news. Imagine Walter Cronkite asking you if you want Bachelorette #1, #2 or #3.

Take me up to the top.
Take me back to the main page.

DATING GAME, THE

Hosted by: Jim Lange

The Premise: A female contestant asked three men "Bachelor #1", "Bachelor #2", and "Bachelor #3" specially prepared questions, while neither side could see each other due to a partition. After the commercial, the female chose which "bachelor" she wanted to go on a date with based solely on the answers given by the "bachelors". The "bachelors" were then introduced to the contestant, with her choice introduced last. Originally, the dates were in Los Angeles, but later changed to exotic trips - with a staff chaperone. Sometimes played with reversed roles. Each show featured two rounds, and the famous kiss goodbye. Ummmmmwhah!

The Good: Chuck "Chucky Baby" Barris' first television production. A set as synonymous with the 1960's as "The Brady Bunch" with those psychedelic daisies. The first relationship show to send couples out of the city where the show was taped, changed once the show aired in Prime Time.

The Bad: Jim Lange's hosting resume after this show. (Except BULLSEYE) And his fashion sense (velvet tuxes).

The Ugly: Current and future celebrities appeared on the show, and some were turned down.

Trivia: How did Chuck keep the content toned down for 1960's television? He once hired an "FBI Agent" to threaten arresting contestants who cussed or spoke lewdly on the air. The agent was really an actor.

One of the chaperones was Nancy Jones. She later produced "Wheel of Fortune" for 10-something years. The "shopping" ones.

Take me up to the top.
Take me back to the main page.

DATING GAME, THE "ALL NEW"

Hosted by: Elaine Joyce, later Jeff MacGregor

The Premise: Exactly the same as before. So much for truth in advertising. Wasn't the Pyramind "new" for two something years? But the set designer did lose the daisies for an 80's neoned set.

The Good: Chuck himself brought back has first television hit. Frequent "game show" panelist Elaine Joyce was the first host, but the show got much better with the Perennial Smart aleck Jeff MacGregor became more actively involved in the show's questions and answers. His last gig was on Fox After Breakfast. Get this guy to host something NOW!

The Bad: More neon than the Vegas strip

The Ugly: I think I remember some episodes where they would play the game the first half of the show and the second half, a couple matched on a previous episode came out and discussed their date with the host just like LOVE CONNECTION ! ZZZZZZ! Fortunately, the segment was dropped.

Take me up to the top.
Take me back to the main page.

DATING GAME, THE

Hosted by: Brad Sherwood for 1996-1997.

The Premise: A borrowing of the title, and little else. Three possible dates came out and the contestant chose his favorite for "looks". The dates wore headphones, so they couldn't hear the commentary given about them by the contestant. After the "looks" choice was made, the dates shuffled their order; then the contestant chose pre-selected facts about the three dates such as "Once drove 500 miles for a date". The date who said it explained their answer. After six facts, the contestant made their choice for "personality", then had to choose between the choice for "looks" or "personality", sometimes it was the same person. Get it? The dates were introduced to the contestant in reverse order, with the choice last. The couple won an exotic trip.  This original format went through several variations in its year run.

The Good: It is good to see that producers bring back hit shows, or at least the titles of them. The show gave away two trips an episode, slightly more than the current shows handed out! Also, some shows have themes, like tropical, old west, medieval, with everyone and set in appropriate garb. And yes, DAISIES!

The Bad: The game seems so robotic. Instead of the contestant asking questions in previous DATING GAME incarnations, now they just pick the facts off the game board. Are the contestants that stupid or the staff that lazy they can't write their own questions? Finally, after shooting a hundred or so shows, the contestant can ask one question they wrote to the three dates.  Another change was the three "unknowns" flat out introducing themselves.  Pointless!

The Ugly: Originally, the contestant told the host, the audience, and the viewers at home who their choice was for looks immediately after they all came out. They ruined one of the reasons to keep watching the show. Later, all the choices were revealed at once, after the commercial.

Trivia: Brad Sherwood was with Second City, a comedy group that gave us John Candy, Eugene Levy, and Harold Ramis. They're not known as much for giving us Brad Sherwood.

Take me up to the top.
Take me back to the main page.

DATING GAME, THE

Hosted by: Chuck Woolery

The Premise: An exact copy of the old 60's format (except the set), and some of the mannerisms such as "And heeeerrre they are!" , the daisies, and the horn-based theme music.

The Good: No more robotic questioning session!  And no ruffled tuxes! Also, be sure to check your local Telemundo affiliate for a Spanish version of the show on the same set!

The Bad:  After hosting LOVE CONNECTION for 11 years, having Chuck host a rival show feels odd.  And, setwise, why the heck is Chuck so far away from everyone and why does he have to squat so often?

The Ugly: If you're bringing back the show exactly, I  miss those "rotating parts" (I forget the tech term) of the 60's-70's-80's versions.  Lighting up the bachelors seems dumb.

Trivia: Chuck previously co-hosted "Home and Family" on the pre-Fox Family Channel, and was replaced by --- Michael Burger! Both men are currently happily employed. Cristina Ferrare will get her own show soon.

Take me up to the top.
Take me back to the main page.

DOUBLE UP

Hosted by: J.D. "Permakid" Roth

The Premise: Like THE DATING GAME , but a brother and sister find dates for each other from three possibilities. After questions were asked, the siblings chose and the studio audience voted on who the ideal dates would be. If everyone agreed with the audience, the siblings each won "the ultimate night on the town". And yes, they were chaperoned, and Mom didn't have to drop them off 2 blocks away.

The Good: An interesting idea. J.D. Roth, who can pass for a kid, came from the fairly successful kid's game show "Fun House". And he's still hosting various kiddie game shows.

The Bad: Since NBC resurrected THE NEWLYWED GAME for siblings and called it "I'm Telling", why not do this? I wonder if a kid's version of THE GONG SHOW was on the books?

The Ugly: Seven week run, and that's for a show that was seen once a week, on Saturday mornings!

Take me up to the top.
Take me back to the main page.

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

Hosted by: Jeff MacGregor

The Premise: Three men and three women competed in various games and questions to reveal things about themselves. Each contestant made a choice on who they wanted to go out with. The last round was a talent contest. Contestants won a trip if they chose each other earlier in the game.

The Good: Hey, we can give away three trips a show! (though not out of the country) Jeff MacGregor, who proved he can handle love festivities hosting THE DATING GAME , hosted this too.

The Bad: A talent contest? What's next? "Truth or Dare"?

The Ugly: Didn't last very long, probably because it was lame.

Take me up to the top.
Take me back to the main page.

LOVE BETWEEN THE SEXES

Hosted by: Harold McCoo

The Premise: Like THE DATING GAME , but with a semi-regular six-member panel a la "Match Game", three men and three women, who tried to predict which of the three men the female contestant would choose for her date. Psychic panelists earned money for a studio audience member. The second half of the show brought back a couple formed on the show. The panel had to guess if there was a "love match", and won money if right. There was an ongoing feud "between the sexes" on which half of the panel had the most right answers.

The Good: Interesting to bring the couples back, and see how bad/good the choice was in a manner not as dry as LOVE CONNECTION. Darn entertaining. Should have lasted much longer.

The Bad: The panel. I think it would have been funnier to have the studio audience members replace all/or some of the panel. Let's see how much of a "love expert" they think they are themselves.

The Ugly: Who da heck is Harold McCoo? You probably know his sister Marilyn (5th Dimension, Solid Gold) better.

Take me up to the top.
Take me back to the main page.

LOVE CONNECTION

Hosted by: Chuck "Vanna who?" Woolery

The Premise: After taking a commercial of "two minutes and two seconds", the contestant was introduced, already having went on a date with his/her one choice of three people. Segments of the same three video introductions the contestant saw were played for the audience, who voted for their choice on who the contestant should have went out with. Then the contestant's choice is revealed and the couple talked about their date. Finally, the audience's vote is revealed. The show will pay for another date with the audience's selection, or the contestant could stand by their first choice. Some contestants let the audience choose the best date, then the contestant would come back as above.

The Good: One of the most durable of the relationship shows, Love Connection ran for over 11 seasons with no real change in format. The teletype sound when a contestant's stats were posted over their faces. After hosting "Wheel of Fortune" for 6 years, former country-singer Chuck Woolery moved to host this show, and other game shows at the same time. All his other shows were axed, but not this.

The Bad: Nothing changed in 11 seasons (except the show intro/announcer)! It's kind of like watching "The Price is Right" and the only way you can really tell what year that episode was made is the copyright date!

The Ugly: CONFIRMED! Contestants only received $75 from the show to pay for the dates.  And I thought BZZZ! was cheap!

Trivia: Chuck was the first host of "The Big Spin", the California lottery's weekly "game" show, later replaced with Geoff "Jackpot" Edwards, then Larry "Trivia Track" Anderson. If you would like to host "The Big Spin", send your name and address on a postcard to....

Take me up to the top.
Take me back to the main page.

LOVE CONNECTION

Hosted by: Pat "What talk show?" Bullard

The Premise: Exact same as before.

The Good: A much better set than the heart-littered 80s version.

The Bad: They still use the teletyping sound effects - in 1998...

The Ugly: Too early to pick anything!

Trivia: Pat Bullard's previous forte was sitcom writing

Take me up to the top.
Take me back to the main page.

LOVE ME LOVE ME NOT

Hosted by: Ross Shafer, co-host/announcer: Marilyn Smith (who?)

The Premise: This show barely qualifies for this list. Two men tried to predict if statements made by three women about themselves were true. Correct predictions "captured" that woman. Incorrect predictions earned money for the woman. The man with the most "captures" and the woman with the most money, played the bonus round where the contestant who reached the other first on a circular daisy-shaped playing area won a prize. The man was asked questions. Correct answers allowed him to move towards her, wrong ones let her move towards him.

Roles were reversed! After the bonus game (where the man was asked questions), the next game had two women & a three men panel. Each game would rotate (2 men/3 ladies then 2 ladies/3 men). (Thanks Larry J. Hall for the info)

The Good: This show had that feeling of "Liar's Club" or "To Tell The Truth", to see if the women could lie about themselves.

The Bad: I saw a couple episodes of this, and thought the end game was really dumb.

The Ugly: Brought to you from Canada, where USA Network loved to produce game shows there for some reason, instead of in its namesake. We're not really sure if THE BIG DATE is from Canada too (JK). I don't have anything against Canada, I loved that SCTV show you sent down.

Trivia: Ross later moved to hosting FOX's "The Late Show" after Joan Rivers' departure, and hosted a so-so remake of "Match Game". Producer Mark Phillips recently ran the so-so remake of "It Takes Two". Dick's available for Pyramid again!

Take me up to the top.
Take me back to the main page.