Sometimes, when you are so hungover that even changing the channel seems like an impossible challenge, or when you only have five pounds left on your bank account, you have no choice but to stay in and watch TV on a Wednesday night. And if you ever find yourself in that position, I would recommend that you watch Channel 4’s First Dates.
You know when you are in a restaurant, and what you are most interested in is what the couple at the table next to you is talking about? If you are as insatiably curious as I am, you probably know the feeling. First Dates takes place in a restaurant where – you guessed it – all the couples are on a first date. And you will not believe how entertaining it is to watch other people go on blind dates.
Apparently the only thing the participants gets to know before meeting their date is what they look like in a picture. One of the best things about the show is the facial expressions of the couples when they see each other in real life for the first time – for some reason most of them seem very surprised.
Sometimes it all goes downhill from there, when they discover just how little they have in common and how repulsive they find each other. This might be a good time to mention that participants on this show are not competing for any reward, the only thing they get is a date. They even have to pay for the meal they are having. To be fair, some of the couples do seem enjoy themselves, and even decide to meet again. But I think you must be really motivated to find a partner when you are willing to go on TV just to get the opportunity to meet someone new. It says something about the quality of the show that I can’t decide who are more amazing to watch, the couples that hate each other or those with actual chemistry.
Why anyone would want to be filmed while on a blind date is beyond me, probably because I would rather be single for the rest of my life than ever go on a blind date. But I am very grateful for people who are willing to do so and let everyone watch, because it is truly the funniest, sweetest, most heartbreaking and excruciating thing I have ever watched on TV. You only have to watch ten minutes of any show to be amazed at what people are willing to share of their personal traumas and fears on TV. Well done Channel 4 for coming up with a dating show that actually resembles real life. Sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction, and definitely more entertaining. Don’t take my word for it, go watch it yourself! (If you are not single you will probably vow never to break up with your better half, and if you are, well, what are you doing at home watching TV?).