A new MTV dating show plans to remove itself from the network’s seemingly endless array of scripted, reality shows that it’s been regularly pumping out for the past few years. Currently unnamed, the show’s premise is to focus on “real” people, with “real” dating issues, who are truly looking for someone with whom they are compatible.
After struggling to find a significant other among all the social media and dating applications of today, Damon Furberg, supervising casting director for the show and Lighthearted Entertainment, said people are getting fed up with how hard it is to connect, despite all of the connectivity options out there.
“It’s been really interesting hearing people talk about how much easier it is with social media and dating apps to get in touch with a whole bunch of people, but how much harder it is to connect,” Furberg said. “It used to be who ever you meet in your school or your town, but now people have so much more to choose from.”
Casting is on-going nationwide, with an emphasis on the 21- to 24-year-old demographic. Ironically enough, the show’s casting approach consists mainly of searching through the Internet and Skype video calls.
“It’s funny, because we’re having the same problem as those we’re casting for: We get hundreds and hundreds of people and we mostly find people who just are not going to work,” Furberg said. “I can’t even imagine how hard it is for these people to find a relationship. “
Furberg said casting has been really interesting so far, and the main things the show is looking for in its cast is big personalities, a gift for storytelling and a definable reason as to why things have not been working out. Some common reasons he has run across so far are people who consistently date similar personalities, who only date people their parents approve of or those who feel they don’t live in a place with quality date options.
“We’re looking at what makes people compatible, and there are a lot of scientific things that go on behind the scenes,” Furberg said.
Each contestant already has a “perfect match” configured for them at the show’s start, and their goal is to solve the puzzles laid before them in order to overcome their bad dating habits and realize whom they should really be with. A money prize is awarded to the person who finds their right match.
“The idea is that they’ll participate in activities, giving them the chance to dig into each other and figure it out,” Furberg said. “Some people will consider who their type is, think, ‘That’s for me,’ and it might not be the case.”
The show goes on production in October, and is planned to air either in December of this year, or in January or February 2014.
Another casting director for Lighthearted Entertainment, Shannon McCarty, says she’s excited to see what the show brings to the table.
“With this situation, it allows people to get away from their everyday life with texting, and it strips down that stuff and allows communication to happen face-to-face,” McCarty said. “It’s realistic in the way that everyone is similar ages, interested in finding love, currently single and everything’s on the table.”
Reach the reporter at kgumpert@asu.edu or follow her on Twitter @cat2bekittenmee
