Perfect Match (Australian game show)

Infobox Television
show_name = Perfect Match


caption =
genre = Dating game show
creator =
developer =
presenter = Greg Evans
(1984-1986, 1989)
Cameron Daddo
(1987-1988)
Shelley Craft
(2002)
narrated =
theme_music_composer =
opentheme =
endtheme =
country = Australia
language = English
num_seasons =
num_episodes =
list_episodes =
director =
producer = Grundy
executive_producer =
runtime = 30 minutes (including commercials)
network = Network Ten
picture_format =
audio_format =
first_run =
first_aired = 1984
last_aired = 1989, 2002
website =
imdb_id = 0211840
tv_com_id = 21142
related =
production_website =

"Perfect Match" is an Australian dating game show based on the format of "The Dating Game" and "Blind Date". "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.

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 true "perfect match", 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".

Hosts

"Perfect Match" was hosted by Greg Evans 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 1986 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.

See also

* List of Australian television series

External links

*
* [http://colsearch.nfsa.afc.gov.au/nfsa/search/display/display.w3p;adv=yes;group=;groupequals=;holdingType=;page=0;parentid=;query=Number%3A663865;querytype=;rec=0;resCount=10 Perfect Match at the National Film and Sound Archive]