In 1995, a young and relatively unknown actor named Jon Hamm appeared on a dating game show called The Big Date. Little did he know at the time that this would become one of the most infamous moments of his career, and that it would follow him for years to come.
What is The Big Date?
The Big Date was a dating game show that aired on the USA Network from 1996 to 1999. The premise of the show was simple: three contestants would compete to win a date with a single person. The twist was that the single person couldn't see the contestants, so they had to choose based on their answers to a series of questions.
Jon Hamm's Appearance
Jon Hamm appeared on The Big Date in 1995, before he had achieved any real fame as an actor. He was a 25-year-old waiter at the time, and he competed against two other men to win a date with a woman named Mary Carter.
During the show, Hamm made a number of cringe-worthy comments that have since gone down in infamy. He introduced himself by saying, "They call me the hamm-er because I like to nail things." He also said that he wanted to take Mary out for "a fabulous meal, maybe some dancing, and then maybe some hanky-panky."
The Aftermath
Despite his awkward appearance on The Big Date, Jon Hamm went on to achieve great success as an actor. He landed his breakthrough role in 2007 on the hit TV series Mad Men, for which he won multiple awards.
However, the video clip of his appearance on The Big Date has continued to haunt him over the years. It resurfaces every so often on social media, and Hamm has even addressed it in interviews.
In a 2017 interview with Ellen DeGeneres, Hamm joked about the clip and said, "I was making some questionable choices back in my 20s."
Other Celebrity Dating Show Appearances
Jon Hamm isn't the only celebrity who has appeared on a dating show. In fact, many famous faces got their start on reality TV dating shows before they became household names.
Ashton Kutcher
Before he became an actor and producer, Ashton Kutcher was a model who appeared on a number of TV shows. One of those shows was MTV's dating show Singled Out, where he served as a "field reporter" who interviewed contestants.
Kutcher later became the host of Punk'd, a hidden camera prank show that aired on MTV from 2003 to 2007.
Jenny McCarthy
Jenny McCarthy got her start as a Playboy model, but she later became an actress and TV personality. In 1995, she co-hosted MTV's dating show Singled Out alongside Chris Hardwick.
McCarthy went on to become a popular TV host and author, and she has also been an outspoken advocate for autism awareness.
Flavor Flav
Flavor Flav is best known as a member of the legendary hip-hop group Public Enemy, but he has also had a successful career as a reality TV star. In 2006, he starred in his own dating show called Flavor of Love, which aired on VH1.
The show featured a group of women competing for Flavor Flav's affections, and it spawned several spin-offs and imitators. Flavor Flav went on to appear in other reality shows, including The Surreal Life and Celebrity Wife Swap.
The Future of Dating Shows
Reality TV dating shows have been popular for decades, but they have evolved quite a bit over the years. Today's dating shows are more diverse and inclusive than ever before, and they tackle important social issues like consent and gender identity.
One example is Netflix's hit show Love on the Spectrum, which follows young adults with autism as they navigate the world of dating and relationships. The show has been praised for its sensitive portrayal of people with disabilities, and it has helped to raise awareness about autism and neurodiversity.
Another example is ABC's The Bachelor franchise, which has faced criticism over its lack of diversity in the past. However, the show has made an effort in recent years to cast more diverse contestants and lead characters, and it has also addressed issues like sexual harassment and consent.
Jon Hamm Dating Show
Reality TV dating shows have been around for decades, but they continue to capture our attention and spark conversation. Whether it's cringe-worthy moments like Jon Hamm's appearance on The Big Date or groundbreaking shows like Love on the Spectrum, these shows have a way of bringing people together and sparking important discussions about love, relationships, and societal issues.
