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A COUPLE OF weeks ago, America’s very own version of First Dates debuted on NBC.
As one of the most exportable shows on telly today, it’s hardly a surprise to see it pop up in the States. But, unlike other jurisdictions, there’s a nagging sense that they’ll find a way of ruining the pureness of First Dates with some unnecessary shite like:
surprise eliminations
introducing Maury as the restaurant’s waiter brandishing a DNA test with the bill
a kiss cam of some sort
So, in the spirit of keeping First Dates’ honour intact, we watched the first episode – and learned a lot:
1. You quickly realise that Drew Barrymore is the narrator and not some generic Irish/English voiceover actor.
This definitely adds a bit of glamour and A-list appeal you wouldn’t usually associate with First Dates.
NBC
NBC
2. Five minutes in and the Maître D’ hasn’t said a word despite meeting several daters.
If this was First Dates Ireland, Mateo would have had two monologues about love completed and a few sassy one-liners to the daters thrown in for good measure.
Barrymore is definitely dominating the early set up.
3. The backdrop for the pre-interview is reassuringly familiar. As are the quotes from this lad:
I like to have fun, to be spontaneous… that’s always been a part of who I am. The charm thing is just natural, I can’t help it.
Nice to see that brazenly building yourself up for a fall is a universal quality.
NBC
NBC
4. First impressions? All these people are far too comfortable with dating. We’re missing that mortifying awkwardness that comes with Irish people going on dates and being delightfully out of their comfort zones.
It’s like watching Oscar-winning actors on stage when you’re used to a 4th class Christmas play with kids getting stage fright.
5. Case in point: when yer man walks in and they meet at the bar, instead of nervously shaking each other’s hands/half hugging, this couple twirled each other like they were on Strictly ffs.
NBC
NBC
6. Her standout quote early on?
Dating? I’m really good at it.
We’re here to see amateurs, not professionals. PLEASE.
NBC
NBC
7. Within seven minutes, the US military gets a mention.
‘Murica.
8. The conversation is definitely good quality first date material though. Tinder, awkward romantic tales and guessing each other’s ages keeps things ticking along nicely.
9. The bartender fits the pattern of all the other shows too – a really well-dressed ride who’s a sympathetic ear for everyone’s problems.
NBC
NBC
10. The phonecalls in the jacks have remained in the US format.
So far, so good.
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11. Just as you think everyone is just a little too slick, along come a couple who hold their handshake at the bar for what feels like 17 minutes.
Now we’re cooking.
NBC
NBC
12. The restaurant feels a good bit fancier than the Channel 4 and Irish settings – the kind of place where you’d expect the menu to be packed full of things that are supposed to be nice, but actually taste awful and cost you a month’s rent.
13. About halfway through, the touching stories start coming thick and fast – and the more you watch it the more you start getting invested in these people’s lives. Americans tell these stories better than us, let’s face it, and deliver polished personal anecdotes on command.
Damn it First Dates, you’ve done it again.
NBC
NBC
14. At one point the Maître D’ waves a couple out the door with a cheery “ciao!”
So we know he’s Italian – keeping up the classy European First Dates standard.
15. Grand gestures seem to be a pretty big deal here – this guy brought expensive champagne with him to be presented at the end of the date:
NBC
NBC
Best you’d get on First Dates Ireland is a single rose picked up from M&S on the way to The Gibson.
16. In keeping with the consistency of format, the final decision is *exactly* the same as what we’re used to.
The same bumbling moment of doubt and eventual resolution remain in all its glory.
NBC
NBC
17. The only difference is that after this pair said yes they just casually shifted on the street and headed on to a bar.
Nice.
NBC
NBC
18. It’s not just slick young things on First Dates USA though, oh no.
In the second half they introduce a ~lovely~ elderly couple.
NBC
NBC
Again, reassuring.
19. In fairness, the producers have nailed nearly every aspect of what makes First Dates one of the most addictive shows on telly.
20. On top of the success stories, there was a tragic shutdown right at the end (a staple of any good episode, let’s be honest).
One for the ages:
Her: I definitely feel like there wasn’t quite the spark
Him: Well I would have gone on a second date
NBC
NBC
Lads.
21. We would watch every single episode of this in one sitting, to be honest.
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Thursday 26 December, 2024
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21 things we learned watching the American version of First Dates
A COUPLE OF weeks ago, America’s very own version of First Dates debuted on NBC.
As one of the most exportable shows on telly today, it’s hardly a surprise to see it pop up in the States. But, unlike other jurisdictions, there’s a nagging sense that they’ll find a way of ruining the pureness of First Dates with some unnecessary shite like:
So, in the spirit of keeping First Dates’ honour intact, we watched the first episode – and learned a lot:
1. You quickly realise that Drew Barrymore is the narrator and not some generic Irish/English voiceover actor.
This definitely adds a bit of glamour and A-list appeal you wouldn’t usually associate with First Dates.
2. Five minutes in and the Maître D’ hasn’t said a word despite meeting several daters.
If this was First Dates Ireland, Mateo would have had two monologues about love completed and a few sassy one-liners to the daters thrown in for good measure.
Barrymore is definitely dominating the early set up.
3. The backdrop for the pre-interview is reassuringly familiar. As are the quotes from this lad:
Nice to see that brazenly building yourself up for a fall is a universal quality.
4. First impressions? All these people are far too comfortable with dating. We’re missing that mortifying awkwardness that comes with Irish people going on dates and being delightfully out of their comfort zones.
It’s like watching Oscar-winning actors on stage when you’re used to a 4th class Christmas play with kids getting stage fright.
5. Case in point: when yer man walks in and they meet at the bar, instead of nervously shaking each other’s hands/half hugging, this couple twirled each other like they were on Strictly ffs.
6. Her standout quote early on?
We’re here to see amateurs, not professionals. PLEASE.
7. Within seven minutes, the US military gets a mention.
‘Murica.
8. The conversation is definitely good quality first date material though. Tinder, awkward romantic tales and guessing each other’s ages keeps things ticking along nicely.
9. The bartender fits the pattern of all the other shows too – a really well-dressed ride who’s a sympathetic ear for everyone’s problems.
10. The phonecalls in the jacks have remained in the US format.
So far, so good.
11. Just as you think everyone is just a little too slick, along come a couple who hold their handshake at the bar for what feels like 17 minutes.
Now we’re cooking.
12. The restaurant feels a good bit fancier than the Channel 4 and Irish settings – the kind of place where you’d expect the menu to be packed full of things that are supposed to be nice, but actually taste awful and cost you a month’s rent.
13. About halfway through, the touching stories start coming thick and fast – and the more you watch it the more you start getting invested in these people’s lives. Americans tell these stories better than us, let’s face it, and deliver polished personal anecdotes on command.
Damn it First Dates, you’ve done it again.
14. At one point the Maître D’ waves a couple out the door with a cheery “ciao!”
So we know he’s Italian – keeping up the classy European First Dates standard.
15. Grand gestures seem to be a pretty big deal here – this guy brought expensive champagne with him to be presented at the end of the date:
Best you’d get on First Dates Ireland is a single rose picked up from M&S on the way to The Gibson.
16. In keeping with the consistency of format, the final decision is *exactly* the same as what we’re used to.
The same bumbling moment of doubt and eventual resolution remain in all its glory.
17. The only difference is that after this pair said yes they just casually shifted on the street and headed on to a bar.
Nice.
18. It’s not just slick young things on First Dates USA though, oh no.
In the second half they introduce a ~lovely~ elderly couple.
Again, reassuring.
19. In fairness, the producers have nailed nearly every aspect of what makes First Dates one of the most addictive shows on telly.
20. On top of the success stories, there was a tragic shutdown right at the end (a staple of any good episode, let’s be honest).
One for the ages:
Lads.
21. We would watch every single episode of this in one sitting, to be honest.
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don't ruin it DREW BARRYMORE First Dates first dates america first dates USA