Syndication (Weekly): 9/10/1973 – 6/3/1974 (reruns aired until 9/1974)
Syndication (Daily): 9/4/1978 – 5/23/1980 (reruns aired until 9/1980)
Syndication (Daily): 9/15/1986 – 9/8/1989
Syndication (Daily): 9/9/1996 – 9/1999
Packagers
Chuck Barris Productions/Barris Industries (1965–1989) Brian Graden Productions (1996–1997) Columbia TriStar Television (1996–1999)
Distributors
Station Syndication Inc. (1973–1974) Firestone Syndication (1978–1980) Bel-Air Program Sales/Barris Program Sales (1986–1989) Columbia TriStar Television (1996–1999)
The Dating Game (also known as The New Dating Game and The All-New Dating Game) is the long-running dating game show where one girl or one guy had to choose between three bachelors or bachelorettes to go out on a date for which the producers pay.
Generally the bachelorette would ask a series of questions to each of the three hidden bachelors. The same question could be asked to multiple bachelors. The questions were written in advance by the producers. Certain kinds of questions such as name, age, occupation, and income cannot be asked. The process continued until time ran out. The bachelorette would make her choice based solely on the answers to her questions. After making her choice, the bachelorette met the two unchosen bachelors before meeting the chosen one. When all said and done, the dating couple went out on a dream vacation which was paid by the producers. Occasionally, the bachelor would ask questions to three bachelorettes.
1990s version
For this revival's first season, two formats were used.
The basic format for this show, used throughout the first year, was for the bachelor/bachelorette to pick from two facts about the three potential dates. Once it was picked, the person in question would reveal the reason behind the fact to the hopeful single. After a round of questioning, the bachelor/bachelorette chose their date. All three of the potential dates had their names revealed before the questioning started as well, something that wasn't done on any version of TDG prior.
During a part of the first season, in addition to asking the questions, the bachelor/bachelorette got to see all three contestants at the outset of the game (who all had headphones on so they couldn't hear what their potential date was saying about them), and would pick who they thought was the best looking of the bunch. After that, the question round was conducted in its usual fashion, with the bachelor/bachelorette picking who they thought had the best personality out of the three. After the choices were made, the contestant was then prompted to choose between their choice for best looking or best personality. Sometimes the guy chosen would be the one chosen for both looks & personality; in later shows when that happened he/she won a $500 bonus in addition to the trip.
This format was mostly disliked by fans of the original show so the next year they switched back to its original format and theme with new host Chuck Woolery at the helm.
GSN Attempt
In 2008, according to an article from The Hollywood Reporter[1]the network has taped comediennes Kim Coles (who previously hosted Pay it Off for BET) and Judy Gold respectively to host pilots of this show along with its sister show The Newlywed Game even though for this show they already had a female host with Elaine Joyce in 1986 until 1987 as they would incorporate modern elements like online dating sites. Michael Davies would executive produce both shows through his overall deal at Sony Pictures Television. However, this never came to fruition.
Celebrities
Many celebrities appeared on the Dating Game over the years; here are a few of them:
