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Dating games evolve into Bachelor

Dating shows of past decades, such as The Dating Game and Love Connection, left much to the imagination.

Long gone are the days when TV audiences were offered a 30-second bio of four singles during one half-hour dating-game show and then left to imagine how the contestants' lives turned out after the first date.

Current reality-style dating shows, such as ABC's The Bachelor, Fox's Joe Millionaire and NBC's Average Joe, give viewers a close-up of the male/female dynamic with all of its highs and lows.

When the fourth season of The Bachelor began in September, 25 women were hoping to win the heart of Bob Guiney, a musician and college grad who works in real estate. In the show's finale at 8 p.m. Wednesday, he is expected to select one woman to date exclusively.

The months-long process varies greatly from dating games of the past, in which singles were asked a few questions by someone hidden behind a wall. On The Dating Game (1965), there was no contact, other than audibly, between the bachelor and bachelorette until a decision had been made.

Contestants of Love Connection (1983-1999), chose dates by watching videos.

Now, dating shows give a more in-depth view of dating.

Couples spend time on several dates and in more intimate settings before a partner is selected. There are hot-air balloon rides, excursions to exotic locations, pool parties and quiet candle-lit dinners.

The Bachelor executive producer Mike Fleiss says he considers the show to be more of a dating show than a reality show.

"It's totally unrealistic," he says. "No one dates that way. Some dates can cost as much as $50,000 a pop."

Not only do the contestants get to know one another better before making a choice, viewers are allowed a more detailed look into their lives. ABC's Web site offers biographical information on all the contestants, including the bachelorettes (www.abc.com). Guiney also has a personal site (www.bobguiney.com).

There's also more to see with singles tanning around the pool in bathing suits and cameras filming contestants in their reality home environments.

Fleiss says he wanted to do a show where "you actually see the relationship unfold."

He says that while some "copycat" shows are receiving low ratings, The Bachelor still has a large viewership.

"The genuine article about the purity of romance is surviving. I think that's because our show is pure," Fleiss says. "It's only about romance. It's not about twists, money or lies."

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Arizona Republic, AZ