TV

Confessions of a Matchmaker (01×02)

July 22, 2007 by Erich Becker No Comments

Occupational reality series appear to be a dime a dozen these days, with the recently launched Ice Road Truckers, veteran Deadliest Catch, and now newcomers like Confessions of a Matchmaker, A&E’s new series which follows the workings of “America’s Toughest Matchmaker,” Patti Novak, as she turns the city of lonely hearts aka Buffalo, NY around.

The half hour series normally focuses on two clients who seek Patti’s help because many problems with men or women. Some of these cases really do make you feel bad for the people, as you can tell all they really want is a meaningful relationship with someone, but sometimes you get people completely oblivious to societal norms, making the show really hard to watch.

The episodes provided for review featured a 50-year-old bar-hoping party mom, a thirty-something poet (and not a very good one) and a middle aged woman with a full page list of criteria any guy must meet. The latter produces some of worst cringe moments in recent TV history as her 1981 hairstyle and sexual jokes make you sick to your stomach.

Still, this is good entertainment in the reality field as the normal are predictably boring and the more outlandish the client is and the worse they act with the cameras rolling the better your ratings.

 

Novak is described as the Simon Cowell of the dating world, and that can be seen in most episodes of the show. She tells it like it is, instructing customers how to act, and what to say on their dates to mixed results.

The series plays out like a non-syndicated version of Blind Date with a judging panel rating how well you did on your date, all that was missing was sly little graphics and pop up tips to complete the emulation package. Its an entertaining show, just not a completely original premise, and it remains to be seen how many people will jump in to something that will most likely be less risqué than its syndicated cousin.

Written by Erich Becker
Thirty-something with a love of everything we cover here, and a few things we don't. Erich has run Entertainmentopia since the site's inception in 1999, countless redesigns, a few crashes, and a lot of media later, here you have it!