Excused

Format

The series is set in a house in Encino, Los Angeles County. In the first season, two contestants (either two males or two females) are introduced and asked by host Shlesinger what they look for in a mate. They then decide which potential suitors to let in by watching a security camera feed from outside the front door, giving first impressions; Shlesinger provides snarky commentary whether the suitors are chosen or not. This round was eliminated in the second season, and four suitors are preselected for the contestants to choose from, though Shlesinger's commentary remained.

Once four suitors are chosen, the contestants view video dating profiles and select two to advance to the third round. In the second season, the contestants' decision to excuse someone is revealed only when that person is announced eliminated, rather than being disclosed to Shlesinger beforehand. The group is cut to two remaining suitors, who then go on dates with the contestants. The contestants then decide which of the two suitors will go on a one-on-one date with each contestant, where the contestant must impress their date; the suitor then chooses which contestant to take on a second date.

In the first season, contestants traveled by van to various Los Angeles locations for the first four dates. In some episodes, elimination from four to three contestants occurred at the date location face-to-face; in others, all eliminations happened back at the Excused house, announced by Shlesinger over a speaker. The final two dates took place at the Excused house, often including a hot tub date.