An unofficial ranking of the best and worst dating shows ever
There’s a whole world beyond the Love Island villa... Date My Mom 1. 2004 - 2006
The Worst
Remind me: The series followed one person who went on dates with three mums who each tried to convince them to date their son or daughter.
Success or flop: It has an IMDb score of 2.2, so what do you think? Memorable moment: The bit where contestants got real, actual tattoos. We hope it was worth it.
2. I Wanna Marry ‘Harry’ 2014
Remind me: This US dating show followed 12 women who came to the UK to compete for the heart of ‘Prince Harry’. If the speech marks didn’t already give it away, that man was not Prince Harry… Success or flop: In terms of so-bad-it’s-good comedy value, the show was a hit. In terms of being an actual TV show? It was cancelled after just four episodes. Memorable moment: The idea that anyone would believe this man, who was clearly not Prince Harry, was Prince Harry. The impersonator himself, Matthew Hicks, has since said in interviews that he didn’t think any of the women believed it at all.
3. Room Raiders 2003 - 2009
Remind me: The contestant would investigate the bedrooms of three singles looking for love and, based on what they found, they’d decide who to date. Success or flop: Growing up, you probably loved this show. But just step back for a second. The dates were ‘kidnapped’ and shoved into a van where they watched a screen showing a stranger going through their stuff. This isn’t TV, this is chaos. Memorable moment: The contestants were always given a black light to use in prospective dates’ rooms. The stains were harrowing and no more needs to be said on the matter.
4. Dating In The Dark 2009 - 2016
Remind me: It’s pretty selfexplanatory. A load of single people are set up on blind dates that take place in complete darkness. The idea being that they get to know each other’s personalities first. Basically an early Love Is Blind. Success or flop: At first, people liked the premise, but it’s impressive how quickly strangers meeting in the dark gets a little dry. Memorable moment: Painfully and honestly? Every scene when the lights go on. People can’t hide their reactions.
5. Beauty And The Geek 2005 - 2008
Remind me: The show followed a group of ‘beauties’ and a group of ‘geeks’ competing in challenges and looking for love. And the $250,000 prize money, of course. Success or flop: The show got a fairly big viewership, but after two seasons it started losing its charm and was swiftly cancelled. Memorable moment: The outrageous descriptions producers created for the contestants, eg, ‘Lives with parents’ and ‘Sweater vest enthusiast’.
The Best 1. Blind Date 1985 - 2019
Remind me: Future generations will never know the joy of settling in on a Saturday night to see Scouse royalty Cilla Black set up blind dates through a series of saucy, wink-wink questions.
Success or flop: The show ran for a solid 34 years so, yes, you could say it was a success.
Memorable moment: The episode where Cilla rumbled an undercover Cosmopolitan journalist who was on the show to write a feature about it. Iconic.
2. First Dates 2013 - now
Remind me: It’s the dating show that never fails to warm our hearts. The show takes place in a restaurant where everyone is on a blind date, and at the end they have to say if they want to see each other again or not. Their backstories are basically always tear-jerking. Success or flop: This show has been a massive hit, has won multiple awards and set up lots of happy couples in the process. Memorable moment: Without a doubt the date between Aaron and Ibiba who met on series five. They’re now happily married and have an adorable little girl. Cute!
3. Love Island 2015 - now
Remind me: As if you need reminding. It actually began in 2005 with a celebrity special, but didn’t really become the show we know now until 2015. You know the drill: stereotypically ‘sexy singles’ head into a villa and couple up with each other in a bid to win the ultimate prizes: cash and love (neither guaranteed).
Success or flop: Love Island is probably the biggest dating show around, boasting millions of viewers, huge cultural influence and practically its own language #coupledup #pied. Memorable moment: Entire volumes could be written on this, but if we had to pick one it’s got to be that awkward moment from self-proclaimed villa barista Curtis: ‘I want to be the person that gets up and makes everyone a coffee so everyone’s ready for the morning.’
4. Too Hot To Handle 2020 - now
Remind me: A group of outrageously attractive people spend the summer in a house together, wearing skimpy swimwear and coupling up. Except they’re not allowed any sexual contact whatsoever; if they do, they lose prize money.
Success or flop: No one knew if Netflix’s answer to Love Island would be a hit or not, but it turns out that the drama involved in not having sex might actually be better than the drama involved in having it.
Memorable moment: When Georgia from series three managed to hold it together while Patrick sang her a song on his acoustic guitar, then ended with an ‘I love you’. They were just two days in.
‘Future generations will never know the joy of Cilla’
5. The Undateables 2012 - now
Remind me: The series follows the dates and romances of single people with disabilities who signed up to a dating agency. Success or flop: In the decade since the award-winning show first aired, it’s gained a huge, loyal fanbase. While the name attracted some criticism, audiences love the heart-warming romances and the important stories told by participants. Memorable moment: The 2018 Christmas special when Daniel proposed to Lily. She said yes and as they danced together afterwards, she told him, ‘I’m so happy.’ Sob.