TV
There’s a whole world beyond the Love Island villa...
The Worst
1. Date My Mom
2004 -2006
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
