Perfect Match (Australian game show)
Encyclopedia
Perfect Match is an Australian dating game show
based on the format of The Dating Game
. Perfect Match was produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation
.
It originally aired on Network Ten
for 30 minutes most weekdays from 5:30pm between 1984 and 1989. The format was revived in Australia for subsequent programs Blind Date in 1991, and Perfect Match on the Seven Network
in 2002.
A New Zealand version of the show was shown in the late 1980s following the same format. The host of the show was Butch Bradley.
Frequently the questions - along with the answers contestants gave - aimed for comedy and were imbued with sly innuendo. After three questions the contestant would choose their preferred partner based on the answers they had given, and they would win the prize of a holiday to be taken together (along with a television crew). After this the partner with the highest "compatibility score", based on responses to interview questions prior to the game, would be revealed, although this would have no effect on the game itself or the awarding of prizes.
Each episode also included a recap of the holiday taken by an earlier couple. The segment included footage of their weekend away, along with edited highlights of video interviews with each individual in isolation after returning home, which would be played to the couple as they were interviewed together in the studio. Sometimes previously unrevealed true feelings would be revealed when the video interviews were replayed.
The Comedy Company
character Kylie Mole once appeared on Perfect Match. Another Comedy Company character, Marika, Con the Fruiterer's long suffering wife, also made an appearance on Blind Date.
for the first two years. Through an oversight, Channel Ten forgot to renew his contract, so he was signed by Channel Nine
who "warehoused" him. Cameron Daddo
replaced him as host of Perfect Match from 1987 to 1988. After Daddo left the series, Evans, whose contract with Nine had expired, returned as host for the final season. The show also featured hostesses Debbie Newsome (1984-85), Tiffany Lamb (1986) and Kerrie Friend (1987-89).
After returning in 1991 as Blind Date the show was again hosted by Greg Evans and Nicky Buckley
. Buckley was later replaced by a hostess credited only as "Anke from Sweden". The 2002 revival was hosted by Shelley Craft
and Agro.
The original series also featured Dexter - a "robot
" that supposedly mathematically calculated the compatibility of the couple. He was voiced by Keith Scott
. In the 2002 version Agro partially fulfilled a similar role to Dexter in announcing the couples' compatibility scores. Karl Stefanovic later filled the roll after he brought on line from a hardware upgrade.
Dating game show
Dating game shows are television game shows, some say reality game shows, that incorporate a dating system in the form of a game with clear rules. Human matchmaking is involved only in selecting the game's contestants - usually for amusement value as opposed to any concern for their happiness or...
based on the format of The Dating Game
The Dating Game
The Dating Game is an ABC television show that first aired on December 20, 1965 and was the first of many shows created and packaged by Chuck Barris from the 1960s through the 1980s...
. Perfect Match was produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation
Reg Grundy Organisation
The Reg Grundy Organisation was an Australian television production company founded in 1959 by businessman Reg Grundy . It has since branched out into Europe and the USA. The company first produced game shows, before branching into soap operas in 1973...
.
It originally aired on Network Ten
Network Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
for 30 minutes most weekdays from 5:30pm between 1984 and 1989. The format was revived in Australia for subsequent programs Blind Date in 1991, and Perfect Match on the Seven Network
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
in 2002.
A New Zealand version of the show was shown in the late 1980s following the same format. The host of the show was Butch Bradley.
Overview
The show featured the same format as The Dating Game and Blind Date, with a contestant determining their "perfect match" by asking three potential suitors of the opposite sex hidden behind a screen a number of scripted compatibility questions. Each episode featured two different rounds. One featured a male asking questions of three unseen females, the other had one female asking questions of three male contestants. Viewers of the show could see all contestants throughout each round.Frequently the questions - along with the answers contestants gave - aimed for comedy and were imbued with sly innuendo. After three questions the contestant would choose their preferred partner based on the answers they had given, and they would win the prize of a holiday to be taken together (along with a television crew). After this the partner with the highest "compatibility score", based on responses to interview questions prior to the game, would be revealed, although this would have no effect on the game itself or the awarding of prizes.
Each episode also included a recap of the holiday taken by an earlier couple. The segment included footage of their weekend away, along with edited highlights of video interviews with each individual in isolation after returning home, which would be played to the couple as they were interviewed together in the studio. Sometimes previously unrevealed true feelings would be revealed when the video interviews were replayed.
The Comedy Company
The Comedy Company
The Comedy Company was an Australian comedy television series first aired from 16 February 1988 until about 11 November 1990 on Network Ten, Sunday night and was created and directed by Ian McFadyen, and co directed and produced by Jo Lane...
character Kylie Mole once appeared on Perfect Match. Another Comedy Company character, Marika, Con the Fruiterer's long suffering wife, also made an appearance on Blind Date.
Hosts
Perfect Match was hosted by Greg EvansGreg Evans (television host)
Greg Evans is an Australian radio and television host.In the 1970s he was the highly popular host of the drive time slot of radio station 3XY, with his program being the number one rated show in 27 of the 28 ratings surveys taken.He was nominated three times for a Gold Logie award...
for the first two years. Through an oversight, Channel Ten forgot to renew his contract, so he was signed by Channel Nine
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
who "warehoused" him. Cameron Daddo
Cameron Daddo
Cameron Peter Daddo is an Australian actor, musician and presenter. He is the brother of Andrew Daddo and Lochie Daddo.-Australian television:...
replaced him as host of Perfect Match from 1987 to 1988. After Daddo left the series, Evans, whose contract with Nine had expired, returned as host for the final season. The show also featured hostesses Debbie Newsome (1984-85), Tiffany Lamb (1986) and Kerrie Friend (1987-89).
After returning in 1991 as Blind Date the show was again hosted by Greg Evans and Nicky Buckley
Nicky Buckley
Nicole Maree Louise Buckley-Bingham is an Australian television presenter and model.-Sale of the Century:Buckley broke into television in her role as co-host of Sale of the Century in the mid-late 1990s...
. Buckley was later replaced by a hostess credited only as "Anke from Sweden". The 2002 revival was hosted by Shelley Craft
Shelley Craft
Shelley De Billinghurst Craft and known professionally as Shelley Craft is an Australian television personality....
and Agro.
The original series also featured Dexter - a "robot
Robot
A robot is a mechanical or virtual intelligent agent that can perform tasks automatically or with guidance, typically by remote control. In practice a robot is usually an electro-mechanical machine that is guided by computer and electronic programming. Robots can be autonomous, semi-autonomous or...
" that supposedly mathematically calculated the compatibility of the couple. He was voiced by Keith Scott
Keith Scott (Australia)
Keith Scott is a voice-over and voice actor from Australia. He provided the voice for Bullwinkle J...
. In the 2002 version Agro partially fulfilled a similar role to Dexter in announcing the couples' compatibility scores. Karl Stefanovic later filled the roll after he brought on line from a hardware upgrade.