Dating Games.

• Author: DREVITCH, GARY
• Position: Reality dating shows mocked - Brief Article

Reality TV tries to play matchmaker, but in the quest for ratings, where's the love?

This fall, it seems almost every American's dates (except yours) will be televised. TV producers are eagerly unleashing a new wave of romance reality shows to attract young viewers. Winners on one program will get big money, but for most of the rest, the only prize will be, well, one of the other contestants. Here.s a behind-the-scenes look.

What's it about? Who gets cast? LOVE CRUISE Sixteen singles pair People "genuinely (FOX) off on a cruise. interested in meeting the Partners change every love of their lives--and 48 hours, after a guy in winning the big cash and a girl are voted prize," says producer off. The final two get Mary-Ellis Bunim, also $100,000 each and a behind The Real World. trip together. TEMPTATION Unmarried couples Couples who have ISLAND (FOX) split up on an exotic doubts about their island and are tempted relationships. "They're by members of the not that solid or opposite sex. Last they're not on the season, all the couples show," says producer bent but didn't break. Chris Cowan. ELIMIDATE One lucky gal goes on Singles from across the DELUXE (WB) a date with four guys U.S., in acknowledgment (or vice versa) in a that other L.A.-based chic foreign locale, shows are thinning out eliminating one suitor the pool of Southern at a time until the California actors, ideal match is made. students, and trainers. FIFTH WHEEL It's not Elimidate, Five people who fit. (SYNDICATED) it's Add-a-Date. Four "You've got to find singles go out as a qualities in each that group, But just a the others will be couples form, here attracted to," says comes a sexy "fifth producer Tom Klein. "It's wheel" to shake things like a chess match." up! BLIND DATE This popular guilty Not intentional (SYNDICATED) pleasure returns for a mis-matches. "It's difficult new season with more to make a successful awful dates, more match," says Klein, travel, and...