Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition

Shows that may help ease your ‘Bachelor’ withdrawal

- By Neal Justin Minneapoli­s Star Tribune

If you’re pledging allegiance only to #Bachelor Nation, you’re missing out on other opportunit­ies to fall in love.

While the ABC franchise is currently repeating its greatest hits, other relationsh­ip series are readily available, with singles who are more interested in finding that special someone than raiding the set’s liquor cabinet or kissing up to the camera.

Here are six relatively new series that just might capture your heart.

‘Love on the Spectrum’

Netflix

This Australia-based series features young autistic people, many of whom have never been on a date before.

Their supersweet encounters during lawn bowling and comic convention­s never end in smooch sessions. It’s enough just to get through dinner without having a panic attack. The bar is low — but the spirits are high.

‘Happily Ever Avatar’

HBO Max

Gamers who won’t even turn away from their computer for a bathroom break will press pause for the right partner — as long as they’re equally obsessed with video games.

Eleven-minute episodes bounce back and forth among three couples at different stages in their relationsh­ips, including a couple who fell in love while teaming up on “League of Legends.”

‘Dating Around: Brazil’

Netflix

This upgrade on “Love Connection” previously tagged along on blind dates in New Orleans and Chicago. The latest batch of episodes takes place in Sao Paulo, where the amount of flirting, drinking and spicy conversati­on is higher than it ever was in the United States.

If you can deal with the subtitles and the arguments about favorite soccer teams, you’ll be hooked.

‘Lost Resort’

10 p.m. EDT, Thursdays, TBS

It’s not technicall­y a dating show — nine participan­ts have gathered in the Costa Rican jungle to experiment with new healing methods — but it doesn’t take long before the “patients” start flirting with one another.

Getting to know each other over erotic dance lessons and screaming sessions may not be the best way to bond. Then again, it beats dinner at Applebee’s.

‘Indian Matchmakin­g’

Netflix

Matchmaker Sima Taparia racks up the frequent flyer miles between America and Mumbai in hopes of finding true love for young people who are willing to give arranged marriages a shot.

Her expertise doesn’t always work, especially since some of her clients aren’t really ready for a relationsh­ip. But at the very least, the series strips away a lot of misconcept­ions about the tradition, especially when it checks in with long-committed couples who barely knew each other when they exchanged vows.

‘Love Is Blind’

Netflix

The contestant­s grouse that physical looks are overrated, which is easy for them to say — they’re all gorgeous. But the series isn’t nearly as superficia­l as others in the genre, thanks to a format in which the singles woo each other without any face-to-face encounters.

Those who tune in for “The Bachelor” solely for the drooling and drunken drama will feel stiffed. Everyone else will be smitten.

 ?? NETFLIX ?? Jodi and Michael appear in the Australian-based series “Love on the Spectrum.”
NETFLIX Jodi and Michael appear in the Australian-based series “Love on the Spectrum.”

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