Parents' Guide to

Dating in the Dark

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Dating experiment sheds light on personality vs. looks.

TV ABC Reality TV 2009
Dating in the Dark Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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What's the Story?

DATING IN THE DARK explores whether or not love is really blind. Three men and three women move into a house, but they can only meet their housemates of the opposite sex in a dark room. Unable to actually see each other, they must get to know their potential partners through talking, listening, touching, and smelling. After a series of challenges and one-on-one dates, each must choose whom they think they're most compatible with based on their blind exchanges. And then, once they finally see what the person they've chosen looks like, each must decide whether they want to keep seeing each other.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (3):

This series creates a unique -- and, frankly, voyeuristic -- social experiment that allows viewers to experience the awkwardness and vulnerability of dating accompanied by the excitement of watching people (thanks to infrared cameras) interact in a very intimate setting. While there are no grand prizes or eliminations here, it definitely feels like someone has "won" when couples choose to see each other in broad daylight. That said, watching people getting rejected is also a little painful.

There's plenty of discussion about physical looks throughout the show, especially as each person builds up their potential partner in their head to match what they want them to look like vs. how they really look.  And, like most dating shows, there's some kissing/making out and sexual innuendo, including references to people looking (or not looking) sexy. But overall, this series is an interesting way of encouraging people to reexamine the criteria they use when choosing romantic interests.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why people agree to be on dating reality shows. Do you think the people on these shows actually find compatible partners? Why else might they choose to participate?

  • Should looks matter when you're choosing someone to date? Is wanting to date someone good looking a bad thing? Overall, what message does this show send about relationships?

TV Details

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