How a Serial Killer Won This Reality Dating Show

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  • The Crimes of Rodney Alcala
  • How Rodney Alcala Appeared in, and Won, The Dating Game
  • How the Vetting Process for Reality TV Has Changed Since Rodney Alcala’s Appearance on the Dating Game

I’ve spent years working in the reality TV industry, and let me tell you, things have changed dramatically since Rodney Alcala graced our screens on The Dating Game back in the 70s. As a production assistant back then, I can vividly remember the laxity surrounding the vetting process for potential bachelors and bachelorettes. It was a different era, and Alcala’s violent past was practically untraceable.

An early example of shows that predated reality TV and put the public in the limelight is “The Dating Game.” In this program, singles were matched based on questions they answered, resulting in intriguing conversations between shy and bold daters during live broadcasts. This lighthearted, somewhat sensational yet generally harmless entertainment brought joy to audiences as they watched the daters try to win each other’s hearts.

Despite the long-standing success of the show, there is one guest who has tarnished its reputation – a notoriously violent serial killer, who was in the midst of committing heinous crimes and went on to win an appearance on the program.

The Following Article Discusses Sexual Assault, Murder, and Violence Towards Children

The Crimes of Rodney Alcala

Rodney Alcala is infamously known as “The Dating Game Killer” due to his involvement in at least five confirmed murders between 1971 and 1979. The victims were Robin Samsoe (12), Jill Barcomb (18), Georgia Wixted (27), Charlotte Lamb (32), and Jill Parenteau (21). There are suspicions that the number of his victims might be much higher, potentially reaching 130. Alcala’s criminal record dates back to 1968 when he attacked and sexually assaulted an 8-year-old girl named Tali Shapiro in Los Angeles, prompting him to leave town before being apprehended by the police.

Rodney Alcala was notorious for his inhumane actions, frequently choking his victims until they lost consciousness only to revive them and repeat the heinous act. He gained people’s confidence through his photography skills and false claims of being a successful fashion photographer. Alcala collected over a thousand photographs of women, teenagers, and children, many featuring sexually suggestive poses. This vast collection of images led police to suspect that Alcala’s victims of murder and sexual assault were much greater in number. Sadly, Rodney Alcala passed away from natural causes on July 24, 2021, at the age of 77, in a hospital near Corcoran State Prison in California.

How Rodney Alcala Appeared in, and Won, The Dating Game

Using a more conversational tone,

After encountering Alcala, Bradshaw shared unease, revealing that his behavior gave her an unsettling feeling and caused her to become faint. She explained, “I began to feel unwell. His demeanor was bizarre and made me uncomfortable.” Trusting her instincts, Bradshaw terminated the date by contacting the television producer and expressing, “There’s something off about him. He’s quite peculiar. I am uneasy. Is this going to create an issue?” Unbeknownst to Bradshaw, Alcala was at the peak of his criminal activity during their encounter, and a year later, he would be apprehended for his heinous acts.

During Bradshaw’s interaction with Alcala on the show, Jed Mills expressed unease, labeling him as an “uncanny figure” whose responses were “unusual.” In an later interview, Mills shared his discomfort, admitting, “I couldn’t bear to be around him.” The production crew also showed reservations about featuring Alcala but ultimately decided to include him. Metzger, the executive producer, described Alcala as having a “mysterious allure” that left him feeling uneasy.

After Alcala’s murderous past was revealed to the public, many people reflected on their interactions with him, resulting in numerous statements being made. One particularly striking comment came from Jed Mills during an interview with Inside Edition, where he noted, “When Alcala said ‘I always get the girl,’ what he really meant was ‘I kill them,'” shedding light on his chilling modus operandi. Alcala’s ability to charm and deceive people, honed through years of manipulation, was evident in his appearance on The Dating Game, where Cheryl Bradshaw was drawn in by his words. Fortunately, her intuition led her to defy the show’s format, potentially saving her life.

How the Vetting Process for Reality TV Has Changed Since Rodney Alcala’s Appearance on the Dating Game

In the 1970s, it was relatively simple for individuals like Alcala to hide their past when applying for shows such as “The Dating Game.” Due to a lack of readily available databases, Alcala’s history of violent crimes went unchecked despite his arrest just a year later. The background checks for potential bachelors were not advanced enough to account for the presence of a serial killer on the show during its 30-year run and 24 seasons.

In the early 2000s, reality TV series had a lenient selection process, allowing individuals like Rodney Alcala to unintentionally join the shows without the production team’s prior knowledge or control. This lack of thorough background checks was evident as late as 2009 with Ryan Jenkins appearing on “Megan Wants a Millionaire.” However, tragedy struck when his wife was murdered just a month after he was eliminated from the show. As a result, “Megan Wants a Millionaire” was taken off the air, marking a significant shift towards more stringent background checks for all US reality TV shows.

The process of being approved for reality TV participation can last anywhere from a month and a half to three months. This involves thorough background checks, medical evaluations, scrutiny of social media profiles, completion of paperwork, interviews, and sometimes the assistance of external parties in selecting qualified candidates. Controversies surrounding reality TV contestants typically revolve around their public personas rather than heinous crimes they have committed.

I.e., the procedure is bound to have flaws and occasional disputes, like the controversy surrounding American drag artist Sherry Pie being removed from “Drag Race” in 2020 due to catfishing accusations (as reported by NBC News). However, it’s essential to note that the system has made significant strides since the unsettling presence of Rodney Alcala on “The Dating Game.”

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2024-07-20 22:01