Review of Dating in the Dark: A Reality Show on the ABC Network

After preview after preview for the program "Dating in the Dark," I decided to give the show a chance. The premier episode aired July 20th on the ABC Network. The subject matter of having a date in the dark, sounded so foreign to me, that I was intrigued. I love reality shows, and this one is based on real people, in real situations.

The show began by introducing us to 3 men and 3 women. Each of the men and women mentioned how they wanted to find love. They were tired of dating people that didn't connect with them mentally, and they wanted more from their relationships. Each of the contestants on the show had varied experience with dating. Some were seasoned daters that felt as though their bodies were always judged first before their intelligence. The others believed that they wanted more from a relationship, they wanted a mental connection, and they wanted to be able to meet someone "real".

The contestants moved into a house that had separate wings for the men and for the women. To begin, all of the contestants entered a completely dark room that was set with a table and chairs. They sat down and started introducing themselves in the dark. The viewers of the show could see the contestants, but they could not see each other. After the introductions were complete, they were then asked to decided which contestant they would like to have a date-in-the-dark with. Their decision was based on the shirt that each contestant was wearing. They were asked to give the shirt off their back to the opposite sex to analyze.

Each couple had a date. One couple even tried to play mini golf in the dark, which was pretty creative. Each date seemed quite awkward individually, but the conversations seemed to go well.

Once the round was finished they were told which contestant was their "ideal" match. Based on this match, each couple had a date. The heat really turned up on the dates, the conversations picked up, and one couple even ended up kissing more than once.

A sketch artist was asked to sketch a picture of what they thought their ideal match looked like. These pictures were then given to their dates. The women seemed to have drawings of their dates, that seemed so far from the truth, whereas the women's pictures seemed very accurate.

After their dates concluded in the dark, they were asked to decide which person they would like to have a date with outside the house. Each contestant decided, and then each couple was asked to enter the dark room. One-at-a-time one of them was lit, so their partner could see what their partner looked like, but they couldn't talk or make any comments.

In every situation, all the contestants were surprised at what they saw. The majority of the house were nervous about if they wanted another date, now based on appearance. In the conclusion of the show, each individual was asked to go to the balcony if they decided to take their relationship further. Two out of the three couples decided to move forward.

What surprised me is the couple that connected through kissing, decided not to see each other again. The guy wanted to move forward, but the girl decided that the guy didn't have the looks she expected and she needed more. It seemed like a very hypocritical move since she said she came on the show looking for a guy with a personality.

Although the show was interesting, because it was different, I don't think I can watch more of this program. I think once you've seen an episode, you've seen them all. I also think that the show could've been more interesting by letting us know if the contestants are still dating, or if things just didn't workout. There was no follow-up.

Unfortunately, this reality show is a sleeper.