Finding love in the reel world

TV: a credible medium

Despite the host of dating options available, television shows like Date on Saturday are still considered by many as the most credible matchmaking platform.

After all, there is a strict screening process for applicants of such shows. Potential guests have to declare personal details including their marital status and occupation. The producer of Date on Saturday added that there are also other "soft barriers" like age and education background which aim to eliminate "unsuitable guests". One in every five applicants gets featured on the show.

Ni noted that many of those who sign up for the program today are the relatively traditional types who believe in the credibility of mainstream media and the value of marriages.

"I think one of the primary reasons our show is sustainable is because it's real. It's like a newspaper, filled with real happenings every day. As long as there are single men and women, our program will go on," said Ni.

She also claimed that the show does not have a script to ensure that there are screen-worthy conflicts or cliffhanger moments. There is also no rehearsal for participants. As a result, Ni admits that the show can at times be incredibly boring if there is no chemistry between the guests.

Such programs, however, have faced their fair share of criticism during their peak around 2010 when almost every local TV station produced its own dating show. Viewers soon slammed the new programs for being "morally ambiguous" and "too showy".

The participants of such shows often came under the spotlight, too. Once, a 22-year-old model rejected the offer of a motorcycle ride with her jobless suitor, saying: "It's better to cry in the back seat of a BMW than smile on a bike." Such incidents led viewers to accuse participants of being more interested in seeking fame than looking for a genuine partner.

The allure of being on national television is very real. Yan admitted she was drawn to taking part because she has been watching the show since her teenage years.

When approached by China Daily USA separately, Yan and Guan said that they were not actually serious in pursuing a romantic relationship. Yan admitted that with six cameras pointed at them, saying yes to the man seemed like the best thing to do. Besides, holding hands on air does not qualify as a firm commitment in her eyes.

Guan's response was similar. He said he was merely following the program's routine of making an introduction, playing games and initiating the proposal. According to the producers, male guests can skip the proposal if they don't find anyone suitable.

Despite the false alarm of getting a potential son-in-law, Yan's father, who was at the filming of the program, was not disappointed with the actual result.

"It's important to respect the kids' will. But as parents, the earlier the kid starts her own family and enters motherhood, the better," said the father, who married his wife 30 years ago after meeting her on a blind date set up by a mutual friend.

But all was not lost for Yan and Guan. Though they decided not to start a relationship off-screen, they did agree on one thing: it never hurts to have an extra friend.