Perfect March Bachelors, Bachelorettes Try Modern-Day ‘Dating Game’

It’s been 26 years since “The Dating Game” host Jim Lange would end each show with the trademark “Dating Game kiss.”

Historically, TV dating shows have been popular staples of American entertainment.

The most identifiable one today is “Singled Out” on MTV. Still, many of the talk shows conduct their own courting contests.

Locally, dating service Together along with Cavanaugh’s Inn at the Park and Classy 99.9 (KXLY-FM) will recast “The Dating Game” for a second time this year at the hotel on Friday.

The production, hosted by radio personality Ron Hatch from Classy 99.9, is an replica of the TV series that premiered 30 years ago. The set is said to bear a striking resemblance to “The Dating Game’s.” Naturally, the goal of the show - which attracts contextants in their 20s to their 60s - is to unite two virtual strangers.

Ira Harris and Carol Anson are now a serious item thanks in part to January’s production.

Ironically, Harris, 45, didn’t even choose Anson, a.k.a. “Bachelorette No. 1,” to be his date.

Anson and Harris, both divorced, learned of “The Dating Game” at one of their Professional Singles meetings. Professional Singles is a group of single men and women that performs volunteer work for the Special Olympics.

“We first met in the elevator at Cavanaugh’s (where Professional Singles holds regular meetings) several weeks before ‘The Dating Game,”’ says Anson. “We all signed up together at Professional Singles. And we (Anson and Harris) just kind of visited before that.”

Harris, who moved to Spokane a year ago, was chosen to be a contestant.

Anson was picked to be one of three bachelorettes who Harris would select from. “He didn’t know that I knew that he was going to be the bachelor,” says Anson. “A little bird told me.”

Like the original game show, Harris asked the three bachelorettes a series of questions, provided by Together. None of the women were in Harris’ view; they were separated by a partition.

“They had a whole bunch of canned questions,” says Harris, a general manager at a lumber yard. “I mean these questions were bad. They were ugly. So I made my own up.”

While he was grilling the three prospective dates, Harris glanced around the room and noticed that two of the women he had arrived with weren’t present. One was Anson.

“I started recognizing voices,” says the perceptive bachelor, realizing the women were two of the bachelorettes. So instead of choosing one of the women he knew, Harris picked the stranger.

“I picked this gal, and we were totally not compatible. We were not even close,” Harris says. “She’s a nice gal and all that, but we didn’t have a lot in common.”

Anson, 42 and a registered nurse, had hoped Harris would choose her. “I couldn’t disguise my voice well enough.”

At the same time, she wasn’t totally disappointed.

“I wanted him to learn the difference,” she says. “And he did.”

That same night, Harris phoned Anson at home and apologized for not making her his date. He said he’d like to get to know her a little better and he’d ask her out.

“And I forgot about it; I forgot that I had said that,” recalls Harris. “About two and a half weeks later, she calls me and says, ‘When are we going out?’ “

So the two went on a date, hit it off and began seeing each other.

A week prior to their first date, both Anson and Harris joined Together, hoping to meet future companions.

Coincidentally, one week after their first date, Anson and Harris each received a letter in the mail from the dating service introducing them.

“We’re just hitting it off on everything,” Harris says. “We both like the end cut of the barbecued pork at the Chinese restaurants. We both like the heels of bread. We’re clicking on all cylinders here.”

“It’s been wonderful,” declares Anson. “We’re so much alike, it’s just unbelievable.”

So far they’ve been a serious couple for more than a month, and they’re starting to hear wedding bells chime.

“We’re already talking about picking the date,” says Harris.

“I think we’re headed there,” agrees Anson.

(Incidentally, the interviews with Anson and Harris were conducted separately.)

Anson’s view on the experience: “It’s real odd. We both had sort of just settled that we would probably stay single for the rest of our lives.”

So who knows what the outcome of Friday’s “Dating Game” will be. There will be four games total.

Though it’s too late to try out to be a contestant on “The Dating Game,” anyone can go watch.

Because the first one was such a tremendous success, it’s been moved from the Park Place Lounge to the Skyline Ballroom, which is suited to hold more people. If attendance is as enthusiastic as the last “Dating Game,” more will be planned in the future.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 Staff illustrations by Molly Quinn

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: JOIN THE ‘STUDIO’ AUDIENCE “The Dating Game” will be held Friday at Cavanaugh’s Inn at the Park. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and game starts at 6 p.m. You must be 21 to attend. There’ll be cocktails and hors d’ouvres. Admission is free.