Audience fascination with dating shows has existed a lot longer than The Bachelor has been around. And, although The Bachelor first premiered in 2002, some way stranger dating reality shows also came out during the 2000s. While these days, most reality television can feel extremely outlandish with bizarre storylines and forced dialogue (Keeping Up With The Kardashians comes to mind... yet we're still sad it's ending), this is nothing compared to some of the trainwrecks that existed in the 2000s.
Usually, the contestants featured on these shows were brutally honest about what they were really interested in... the fame. Did some of them actually fall in love in the process? Meh, who knows - all we know is it was seriously entertaining. Here are some of the strangest reality dating shows that came out of the 2000s.
10 What was 'Date My Mom'?
Okay, this series was not exactly how it sounded in the title. The premise for this one was intriguing, to say the least. A person was to go on a "date" with three different moms, whose goal was to convince the person to go on a date with their son or daughter. The dater makes the decision solely on their impression of the mother. Sounds complex, but it was fiercely entertaining, though short-lived - it only lasted from 2004-2006.
9 Everyone Wanted 'A Shot At Love with Tila Tequila'
These days, Tila Tequila is known for being incredibly controversial, but back in the mid-2000s, all she wanted was a "shot at love." The bi-sexual themed dating show followed the TV personality as she chose between 16 contestants who lived in "Tila's house" and would fight each other for her attention. The show actually was one of MTV's top-rated programs.
8 It Was 'For Love Or Money'
Now, THIS reality dating show was exactly how it sounded in the title. Contestants would compete for the affections of the bachelor or bachelorette of the season and then at the end, decide if they want to start a relationship with them or take home the cash prize instead. It was brutal to the main person seeking love but widely entertaining for viewers.
7 'Rock Of Love' Was Elite
For those not in the know, Bret Michaels is the lead singer of the band Poison and on this dating show, 25 women competed for, yes, you guessed it, his love. Or, rather, won the chance to go on a date with him. There was more than one season, too. Guess he had a hard time making the "love" last, since this show went on for three separate seasons.
6 Let's Talk About 'Next'
Talk about an ego buster: this dating show featured five single people secluded on a bus (called "the Next bus") and the main dater - a man or a woman - who is allowed to call "next!" at any point during the date in order to bring it to an abrupt end. Sometimes, the dater would shout "next!" immediately as the person walked off the bus. This makes all the awkward things that happen in dating shows these days seem tame.
5 Get Back With Your Ex With 'The X Effect'
The premise of this short-lived show was about whether two ex-boyfriends/ex-girlfriends could recapture what they once had... all while cameras were rolling. The two exes would spend a "romantic" weekend at a resort hotel and be given opportunities to rekindle their romance, as they're being watched by their CURRENT partners. At the end of the weekend, the ex must choose between their current partner or their old one.
4 'Joe Millionaire' Was Everything Fans Thought It Would Be
The premise of this show was...interesting, if not a little cruel. Contestants are told that the main bachelor they're attempting to win the heart of is a millionaire looking for a wife. Turns out, he's NOT and is actually just a working-class construction worker. The last standing contestants are let in on the secret and are given the choice to leave or stay with the man they were falling for, even if he isn't really a millionaire.
3 'Average Joe' Was Popular With Fans, Too
While other dating game shows would focus on insanely gorgeous individuals looking for love, Average Joe took 16 "ordinary" men who competed to win the heart of a beauty queen who didn't know she was going to be going on dates with "average" men (speaking of which, find out how much the newest Bachelor is worth). The twist was, during the middle of the season, handsome men showed up to compete alongside the average joes.
2 'Flavor Of Love' Was A Classic
Yes, this show was about a bunch of women competing for the love of rapper Flavor Flav from the group Public Enemy. Basically, it was like The Bachelor only way more entertaining. From Flavor of Love, we were gifted the spinoff shows, I Love New York, I Love Money and Charm School. We have to say, Flavor Flav and his hookups should have probably been listed on Hollywood's Most Unconventional Couples.
1 'Shipmates' Probably Wouldn’t Fly Today
Ever wanted to go on a blind date and then be stuck with that date on a ship in the middle of the ocean? Well, this show would've been perfect for you. Participants of the show were sent on a Carnival Cruise where they would basically be stuck on a blind date the whole time. Chances are, you probably weren't allowed to jump into the ocean if things were going poorly.