Dating in the Dark

From LoveToKnow Reality-TV

Dating in the Dark is a unique twist on run-of-the-mill dating and relationship reality TV shows. Contestants are invited to try and meet their perfect match, but there's a catch that might surprise you!

Can singles find love in a dark room?

How Dating in the Dark Works

Dating in the Dark is a weekly reality show on the ABC network. In each episode, three women and three men who are looking for love are brought into a house. The participants are divided by gender.

The men and women meet each other and get to know one another, but all of these meetings take place in the "dark room." The dark room is exactly as it sounds; none of the participants are able to see one another.

After a series of activities and meetings designed to give the contestants an idea of what the members of the opposite sex are all about, the show culminates in each participant choosing whether or not to pursue a relationship with one of the opposite sex.

The Group Date

To start things off, all six people are brought into the dark room for a group date. There is generally a lot of chatter, and initially it seems to be difficult for everyone to tell the others apart. Soon, however, the different voices and mannerisms become familiar. Flirting begins to take place even though no one can actually see each other.

Private Dates

After the group date, the individuals can then schedule one-on-one dates with any member of the opposite sex that they feel they'd like to get to know better. The Dating in the Dark individual dates are also held in the dark room.

While none of the men can communicate directly with the women (and vice versa) outside the dark room, they are able to set up dates via a computer-based messenger system inside the house.

Other Gimmicks

In addition to the dates, the show incorporates several different gimmicks to try and give the participants an extra glimpse into what's on the other side of the house. Some of these stunts include:

Sending one shirt from each person to their partner.
Bringing in a sketch artist to draw composite sketches of what the women think the men look like, and what the men think the women look like. Everyone gets to see their own sketches, based on the perceptions of the other group.
Having the men prepare food for the women based on what they think the women like to eat.
Asking the women to give the men massages after a date.
Showing both groups personality profiles designed to give them their best match potential.

In the Light

Near the end of each episode, contestants are given the chance to see one of their potential mates in the light. The two participants enter the dark room, and one at a time, are able to view the other in the light.

This segment can get a little odd, as only one person is lit up at a time, so that the reactions are not seen be the person standing in the light. Often, the person doing the viewing is surprised. Both parties must stay quiet during this portion of the program.

Endgame

Dating in the Dark ends by giving each person the chance to meet their chosen date on the balcony, which would signify that both parties want to pursue a relationship together, or walk out the front door, indicating that they aren't interested.

One of the participants waits on the balcony to see if their chosen mate will show up. From the balcony there is a view of the front door, where the contestant can see his or her potential date if he or she leaves the house. If a participant chooses to leave, he or she explains why at the end of the show.