Review – Dating In The Dark Australia
Dating In The Dark Australia – FOX8 – 7:30pm Wednesday – AUS
What a difference a country can make. I hated the original American version of Dating In The Dark, but there’s something about this Australian redo that I was able to tolerate, and even occasionally enjoy. It’s odd because the format is EXACTLY the same; three guys and three girls enter a house, they go on a series of dates in a pitch black room, before their appearance is revealed to their prospective partner and they have to make a decision about whether they want to continue the relationship outside of the house in the light of day.
It’s a daft premise that is only saved by some entertaining casting that worked better this time around than the American series. The contestants are another collection of ‘pretty girls looking for a glimmer of fame from appearing on a reality series’ and a trio of ‘douchebag guys that include the player, the dumbass and the nice one’. Yet despite the general stupidity of pretty much everybody involved, and the limiting and silly premise I found it incredibly hard to hate this show as much as I did the original.
I was having a hard time figuring out why they would even need to remake this premise for Australian audiences, why couldn’t they just replay episodes of the American one? The idea of ‘dates that take place completely in the dark’ is the set up for a show that should be ridiculously trashy and border on the obscene but Dating In The Dark Australia manages to feel kind of, dare I say, nice. It’s hard to recommend a show this dumb but as pure stupid fluff this works surprisingly well.
In the first episode it was great fun laughing at douchebag JP who bragged that he’d slept with 50 women but was now looking for love in the dark, but was totally just after a root as he laid the bullshit on pretty thick. At one point he told the girls his favourite thing to do was to play with his puppy. Vomit. It was also amusing watching nice guy Jimmy flail about trying to figure out why it was the party girl didn’t like him even after he’d shown her his prize possession of a Bible. Hmm, I wonder why you’re single Jimmy. Maybe next time there’s a dating show set entirely underwater you’ll get another shot at love, this time you should give her a promise ring.
By halfway recommending Dating In The Dark Australia I’m not trying to suggest that it is in any way good. The show still keeps insisting that it’s trying to figure out if ‘love is blind’, which is stupid because we all know these pairings will last another two dates tops, and in JP’s case it will only last until he totally gets laid, bro! The show also uses “expert analysis” to determine who the best pairings would be. I’m almost positive the “expert analysis” is just somebody writing down:
Jimmy
LOVES
Raelene
L’s – 1, O’s – 0, V’s – 0, E’s – 3, S – 0
1 0 0 3 0
1 0 3 3
1 3 6
= 49% compatibility.
So while I may have enjoyed myself more than I’m happy to admit by watching Dating In The Dark Australia I’m still convinced that it’s a terrible idea for a show unfortunately it’s just a lot harder to hate this time around.
Good, Alright, Bad Or Ugly?
Bad
I can tell this show is going to have a lot of cringeworthy moments. I agree with your assessment of JP. He’s just in it for the fame and to get laid but then again, I’m not sure some of the girls are that different? The exposure will be good for Jimmy. He’ll find someone to appreciate him although it’s quite sad that you hear comments from the girls like will he want someone better than me or am I the type of girl he will want to introduce to his mother.
I totally agree this show was addictive when you switch it on as I was intrigued on the response of them seeing each other for the first time. Though, in saying that it still had this lame corny feel to it that made you feel so awkward just watching it. It is definitely a show that I would no go out of my way to watch again. I really don’t see this show lasting more than 2 seasons but then I guess you never know.
I would like to cast or tryout for the Australian series of Dating in the Dark. Im a Sales Manager, 6ft tall, Australian, good looking, athletic, tatts, gsoh and currently living in Sydney. Kurt 0405 *** ***
Hi Kurt,
This is not the official site for Dating In The Dark Australia. You can tell that because I made it fairly clear that this was a review of Dating In The Dark Australia. I review television programs, I do not, and never have, cast people in anything. I may have discussed what I thought of the series The Walking Dead but alas, I cannot cast you as a zombie even if you tell me that you’re athletic and have tatts. I reviewed Underbelly but unfortunately I am not able to cast you on that show either even if you give me your telephone number.
Kurt, you do seem like the exact kind of dummy that Dating In The Dark Australia would love to cast on their show but you may have to speak to them about it.
hi can i say i think datting in dark is disgraceful everytime i seen the show both males an females are slim what about ppl that have extra weight not that good looking im 5’11 blue eyes brown hair 100kg i know i wouldnt have one girl that would meet me how about a show with ppl not so lucky with looks hey i have a good job car money place but im still single all becuz of my looks becuz most women go on that i think its wrong not looks its whats in ur heart hopw i get a reply thanx tim
Cheers Chris for putting my details up on this site u prick. Karma mate KARMA. For all those concerned Kurt is not interested in anything to do with the Dating in the Dark show.Good mates I have as u can see.Please disregard the above mentioned bullshit. Thanks.