It takes a certain kind of person to be selected for “Blind Date.” Sure, it helps to be attractive and extroverted. But you need that extra oomph–such as an unabashed willingness to discuss your sexual preferences on national television.
During a recent search for contestants in Chicago, Shadow T. Carr admitted that a woman with a sassy short hairdo and a fresh manicure drives him crazy. If she bites him on the neck in the heat of passion, all the better.
Asked what car best represents his personality, the 28-year-old Logan Square resident said, “I’m like the 1988 Buick Grand National, because they’re black and came as a limited edition.”
After his on-camera audition, Carr laughed about his screen test.
“I have no idea how I did, but I had fun,” said Carr. “I haven’t told my family I’m doing this. I guess I’ll tell them if I get picked before they see for themselves.”
No doubt. If they don’t see it, chances are someone they know will. Currently in its third season, “Blind Date” airs at 6 and 6:30 weeknights and 10 p.m. Sundays on WPWR-Channel 50.
At the Chicago audition, held at Kustom Nightclub, 160 contestants (an even 50-50 split of men and women) patiently waited to audition for a chance to go out with a complete stranger and have their date immortalized on videotape. Producers will select one Chicago couple to go on a blind date to Acapulco. Voyeurs, er, viewers will see this episode in November.
If past shows are any indication, this date should include a dip in a hot tub or some other activity that’ll get the pair to shed off layers of clothes. But skin aside, many fans love the snarky pop-up “thoughts” that dot each episode–the things we’re all thinking but would never say on a date (“I think I want to sleep with her,” or “I’m great!”).
“There are so many dating shows on that we try to make ours really stand out,” says host Roger Lodge, who dropped by the audition with his Pamela Anderson-look-alike girlfriend. “Our contestants have no fear. They will do and say anything. They are much more courageous than I am. I would never have the nerve to go on a date with a camera crew following me around.”
Northwestern University senior Jennifer Kolbusz has no problem with the camera thing. The broadcast journalism major actually is looking forward to it.
“Why not?” says Kolbusz, 21. “It’ll be fun. ‘Blind Date’ is a part of college life. I love the pop-ups and Roger Lodge. I wore my fringe jacket for him.”
The vivacious blond is exactly the type of contestant “Blind Date” loves. Tall, cute and loquacious, she also has a quirk factor working for her: She obsesses about ’80s hard rock bands. During her audition, Kolbusz spoke of her love for hair bands such as Motley Crue and Poison.
Men whose limbs are smaller than hers are a turnoff. As for the most outrageous thing she’s done on a date, that’s easy. “I asked a guy if he was gay,” Kolbusz says.
Other potential blind dates don’t fare as well. In a nervous reaction, contestant No. 100 accidentally refers to himself as “No. 001.” Asked what car he equates himself with, he answers, “The Ford Taurus. It’s the perfect average car.”
Worried that the analogy doesn’t work in his favor, he adds, “Not that I’m average. I’m just right.”
Too late. Just right doesn’t cut it on “Blind Date.”
