Dating in the Dark (American TV series)

Format

In this reality series, six singles—three men and three women—live in separate areas of a house. They are forbidden from talking to or even seeing the opposite sex unless they are inside a specially designed dark room. The process begins with a group date where all six sit together in total darkness, exchanging names and getting to know each other through voice and personality alone. After that, any contestant can invite another for a private one-on-one date, which also takes place in the dark room.

Throughout the show, host Rossi Morreale gives the participants extra information. He shares personality profiles that indicate which contestants are the most compatible matches. He also lets them examine personal items the others brought to the house, such as clothing or luggage. In some episodes, sketch artists are brought in to draw how each contestant imagines the others look based solely on their interactions in the dark.

Following the one-on-one dates, each contestant can choose someone they want to finally see. The chosen pair enters the dark room one last time for the reveal. During this moment, they must stay completely silent. The reveal uses a large two-way mirror: one contestant stands on the dark side while the other is illuminated on the opposite side. A color camera films from the dark side, capturing the illuminated person, while a separate infrared camera records the reaction of the person still in darkness. These two video feeds are combined later in editing. The process involves fading the infrared image to black just before the illuminated person is shown, then seamlessly fading in the color footage. Because of the mirror setup, the person being revealed cannot see the other’s reaction.

The show ends with each contestant deciding whether to meet someone on the house’s balcony. A contestant who wants to pursue a relationship goes to the balcony and waits for their chosen partner to join them. If the partner also comes to the balcony, it means both want to continue dating. If a contestant instead leaves through the front door, it signals they are not interested. Cameras are positioned to capture both the balcony meeting and the front door exit.

Episodes

Episode 1 aired on 20 July 2009, followed by episodes on 27 July 2009, 3 August 2009, 10 August 2009, 17 August 2009, and 24 August 2009. In episode 3, Chris was chosen by all three girls for the final date and the reveal; he was also chosen by all three girls to meet on the balcony, but none of them did meet him. The other guys were Philip (27) and Billy Ray (33). The second season began on 9 August 2010.

In episode 1, Joey (31) did not get chosen for a final date or reveal; both Jessica and Natasha wanted Dave, so they waited on the patio and in the piano room respectively. In episode 2, Joshua and Summer did not get pictures, while Michael and Becky got two pictures; Joshua (28) did not participate in the reveal or the waiting. In episode 4, John (29) did not participate in the reveal or the waiting; both Jill and Kate wanted Brad, so they waited on the patio and in the piano room respectively, and Kate left before Brad made a decision.

In episode 6, for the first time, twin brothers Ray and Shawn (26) participated on the show at the same time but were not chosen for a final date or reveal; Harrison was chosen by all three girls for a final date and by Kahleel and Kayla for the final reveal; Suzanne (24) decided not to date anyone so she did not wait on the patio; Kayla and Kahleel both chose to wait for Harrison on the patio and in the piano room respectively.