E4 have recently been showing series 1 and 2 of First Dates and I must say the format is SO much better than what it is now! No bloody Fred, no 'gossip scenes' from those 3 stupid fake actor waiters....etc etc.

I have no doubt this new series will be just a fake, and 'set up' as the last few, C4 really need to have a wake up call and go back to basics with this show....a bit like Coach Trip, another format they have 'chaved up', now totally unwatchable, full of social media, snap chat tarts , vile, fake, jobless wannabes with a six packs, arms full of tats and an IQ of 0.000001.

What springs to mind is that, once such programmes become widely viewed and popular, it is somewhat inevitable that they attract wannabes/those that just want to be on TV. Even if the producers employed a 'back to basics' format...how can they avoid the type of person who wants to go on the programme?

Oh don't say that, I'm just getting into it and think it's great. Sad to hear they've screwed it up.

It still works for me, i.e. I enjoy each episode on its own merit - depending on who we get to see. To compare it with how it used to be is pointless since you can't go back to basics format now that the programme is well known - it inevitably attracts certain people now.

I suggest you go back to page 1 of the thread and who started this thread, for all this 'back to basics'
What's so Fake about it now that wasn't in earlier series, I mean apart from the Fred and the staff, everyone knows they're not the real staff.

Surprised nobody has anything nice to say about Bernie Clifton and Mushy and their dates at least in the last two programs, apart from the others who were involved.

You are addressing the wrong person. It wasn't me that was harping on about getting back to basics format. I was merely replying as to why that wouldn't work now.

'it inevitably attracts certain people now.'
I'm guessing you didn't watch it when is started and don't know Terry from his appearances on the show.
I'd have thought the clues were right there in his OP.

If you're enjoying it, then they haven't screwed up.
If other people don't like it, they could try seeing some positives rather than concentrating and commenting on the negatives.

I looked at Terry's first post. I don't have access to twitter and the youtube clip was not enlightening. I have watched First Dates from the start but don't get what you are trying to say.

Would you disagree with me when I say that it inevitably attracts certain people now?

forget it.

I've only seen about 6 shows and it was nice to find an actual reality show with real people being real.

What I like is the diverse range of people and how they interact. Those who you think would be well matched and don't click and vice versa. I like that there's a bit of hope at the start of each date and seeing where that goes.

It's a good format so I hope they haven't ruined it. I'd hate to see it infested by the TOWIE/MIC crew.

Well I have been watching it from the start and still enjoy it! It's always interesting to see whether there is the possibility of another date - often to be told they are just friendship material can be surprising when they are seen to be sparked/hit it off! I guess there is a lot to be said for fear of being hurt or maybe they have just been polite!

I've just copped on you're watching the earlier series on E4.
I think it's got better as it's gone on, as far as getting a bigger pool of daters, so they can be from the same town/region, share similar interests.

There have been serial TV appearers in there, those who turn up on Quizz shows and reality shows, some who just seem to be there for the craic, chance to appear on TV, see the OP of the thread and posts about him.
I think Channel 4 has dragged in a few of their ringers who've appeared on their shows before.
I think there was a bit of stunt casting in the earlier shows, throwing people together who definitely wouldn't get on so we could watch the car crash and laugh at it all.

TOWIE and Made in Chelsea people only make an appearance in the celeb version.

NOOOOoooooooooooo!

I saw one of the new ones last night and they've chavved it up. The cheesy narration from the french guy is simply not needed. My 'reality' alarm went off (loudly) with one couple, they were both dancers, completely staged and totally cringe-wrothy. He just so happened to get up and go to the loo at the waitress was there so they could have a 'girly gossip'. Obviously a 'structured' interaction, completely fake and pretty much scripted. They went heavy on the 'sexual chemistry' which was just awkward and embarrassing, not very good actors.

I couldn't stay with it till the end of the programme. I'm actually quite disappointed, it's so rare to find a decent programme these days and they've ruined it by trying to make it 'better'. Seems to happen with everything nowadays.

If something works, leave it alone and let it be.

FFS.

Anyway for those who still like the show, new series starting now.

Just what the show needs; more staff(!)

The tomboy reminds me of Mara Wilson from Matilda.

Having his beard trimmed down was definitely an improvement imo.

Really enjoyed tonight's episode. Some lovely people.

I thought the guy paired with the tom-boy was pretty blunt/rude at the end, but it's good to see she's back again next week. Her next date looks more promising, judging from the short preview clip.

Loved the couple at the end (the retoucher and accountant) - they had a good vibe about them.

That was one better the episodes we've had for a while IMO.

The older couple seemed to discuss everything, including viagra, I thought he was more 'into' her than she was, him.
Heema was really really good looking, I think it's been a while since we've had daters sit there until the restaurant is empty.

Boat builder/chippy girl, I don't know who she's going to attract dressed like a 10 year old middle class child, I'm thinking Oshkosh for some reason.
Good thing she let him go first in the after date interview, otherwise I'm pretty sure she'd have said yes to a second date, then have to find a reverse gear when he said no.

urgh, i know!!
i didnt watch the celebrity version coz i wasnt interested but i really enjoyed tonight- the serial proposer and his date i thought were just lovely...

Damian was getting a lot of love on social media last night, (the Irish guy with Tourettes) but a friend of mine knows him and most of his former friends and it turns out Damian is a complete arsehole, and this was long before his breakdown in 2013. His friends turned on him because of his behaviour and that is why he moved to England, not for work or education. Just goes to show, a pretty face and endearing attitude on a first date can make you think lots of great things about someone but in reality they can be a complete shit.

really? i wonder why he was such an arsehole?

So you weren't impressed by his street dancing like the waitress ?

hahaha!! NO