The 5th Wheel is an American dating reality series

Reality television

Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...

 that aired in syndication from 2001 to 2004. The show was initially hosted by comedian Aisha Tyler

Aisha Tyler

Aisha N. Tyler is an American actress, stand-up comedian, and author, known for her regular role as Andrea Marino in the first season of Ghost Whisperer and voicing Lana Kane in Archer, as well as her recurring roles in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Talk Soup, and on Friends as Charlie...

, but when Tyler left after completing the first season, the remaining two seasons were hosted in narration by announcer Tom Gottlieb.

The series' closing slogan was, "...where strangers become friends, friends become lovers, and lovers become bitter, suicidal exes all on the same show." However, when Gottlieb took over the show, the catchphrase was altered accordingly to say "...where strangers become lovers and lovers become bitter suicidal exes all in the same show."

Synopsis

The show would begin with two men and two women, all of whom were sent out on a joint date. Then a provocative 5th man or woman (hence, "the fifth wheel") would join the group. At that point the participants would swap partners to learn more about them and to decide if they would like to go out with each other. The cameras would follow their every move, while commentary in the form of subtitles, animations, and "thought bubbles" was added by the show's producers. At the end, they would all vote on whom they would like to go out with, and an option of choosing "nobody" as well. The show was canceled in 2004.

Production notes

The series was produced by Renegade Productions, a subdivision of Bobwell Prouctions/Gold Coast Entertainment—the same company that produced Blind Date

Blind Date (US TV series)

Blind Date is an American reality show that aired in syndication from September 1999 to September 2006. Hosted by Roger Lodge, the series was distributed by Universal Worldwide Television. It was later distributed by NBC Universal.-Synopsis:...

(which would often air before The 5th Wheel) -- but was more provocative and sexual in nature than its sister series offering crazier and more elaborate subtitles and superimposed animated jokes which altered the appearance of the scene featuring each couple.

Crew

The 5th Wheel's credits listed veteran comedy writers Rob Dames

Rob Dames

Rob Dames is an American writer, director and producer for television and film originally from St. Louis, Missouri. Born June 13, 1944. He has been in the business since 1977, with credits including The Love Boat, Benson, Marblehead Manor, Full House, Fast Food Films "Blind Date", "Hell Date" and...

, Vance DeGeneres

Vance DeGeneres

Vance Elliott DeGeneres is an American actor, musician, film producer and screenwriter, known for his work in television...

, Martin Olson

Martin Olson

Martin Olson is a comedy writer, television producer, stage director and composer. He is also a playwright and poet known for comedic and unusual subject matter and known as an original member of the notorious "Boston Comedy Scene."...

 and Archie Gips

Archie Gips

Archie Gips is a New York-born filmmaker who resides in Los Angeles.Gips studied broadcast journalism at Syracuse University before moving to Chicago,where he was trained at The Second City and wrote several plays and sketch...

.

Syndication

Reruns were eventually aired on Fox Reality, but later was removed from its lineup.