Perfect Match (Australian game show)
| Company type | Television program |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television entertainment |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Dating game show |
Perfect Match Australia is an Australian dating game show adapted from the American series The Dating Game, produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation. It initially aired on Network Ten as a 30-minute program on most weekdays at 5:30 pm from 1984 until 1989. The format was later revived in 1991 under the title Blind Date on Network Ten, and once more as an updated version of Perfect Match on the Seven Network in 2002, debuting on 24 August.
Overview
Following the international template of The Dating Game and Blind Date, the program featured a contestant who posed pre-arranged compatibility questions to three potential partners of the opposite gender concealed behind a screen. Each episode consisted of two segments: one with a male contestant interviewing three female suitors, and another with a female contestant questioning three male contestants. All participants were visible to viewers throughout.
The questions often contained humorous or flirtatious elements. After completing three questions, the contestant selected their preferred match, who was then revealed. Both winners received a holiday together, which was documented by a television crew. Compatibility scores were computed by a computerized robot named Dexter, based on interviews conducted before the show; if the chosen partner held the highest score, both contestants earned an additional prize.
Episodes also featured recaps of previous couples’ vacations through footage and edited interviews that provided insights into their experiences. Noteworthy guest appearances included characters from The Comedy Company and WWF wrestler Paul Roma.
Hosts
Greg Evans served as host for the initial three years of Perfect Match Australia. When Channel Ten chose not to renew his contract, Evans transitioned to Channel Nine. From 1987 to 1988, Cameron Daddo took over hosting duties. After Daddo's exit and Evans' contract with Nine ended, Evans returned to Network Ten for the show's final season. The series also featured hostesses Debbie Newsome (1984–85), Tiffany Lamb (1986), and Kerrie Friend (1987–89).
The 1991 revival, renamed Blind Date following the UK version's title, brought back Evans as host alongside hostess Nicky Buckley, with announcer Craig Huggins providing humorous commentary. Buckley was subsequently replaced by Swedish model Ankie Nordberg. The brief 2002 revival reverted to the original Perfect Match name and was hosted by Shelley Craft, featuring puppet character Agro. Announcers included radio personalities Max Rowley and Bruce Mansfield.
The original series incorporated Dexter, a "robot" responsible for calculating compatibility scores, voiced by Keith Scott. In the 2002 iteration, Agro assumed part of this role.
New Zealand version
A New Zealand adaptation aired briefly on TV3 between 1989 and 1990, hosted by Butch Bradley and Tiffany Baragwanath, closely mirroring the Australian format.
In other media
Evans made a cameo appearance as himself in a parody titled Perfect Date within the 1999 comedy film The Craic.
See also
External links
- Perfect Match hosted by the National Film and Sound Archive
- Articles with short description
- Network 10 original programming
- Seven Network original programming
- 1980s Australian game shows
- 2000s Australian game shows
- 1984 Australian television series debuts
- 1989 Australian television series conclusions
- 2002 Australian television series debuts
- 2002 Australian television series conclusions
- Australian television programs featuring puppetry
- Television series produced by Fremantle (company)
- Australian dating and relationship reality TV series