First Dates Ireland *read first post*

Usually I hate it when someone waits for the other person to say yes then rejects them, but your man last night was begging for it. I think we only got the tip of the iceberg on the date because even the show’s editors and producers didn’t seem to like him the way they set him up for failure the entire show, then put the boot in with “You seemed very confident?” straight after she said no. He struck me as obnoxious and leery tbh, someone that could do with being humbled on national TV to show him that maybe the world isn’t into him forcing his ‘sexy banter’ on them as he might think.

I really don’t understand the show’s obsession with the Bebo Stunnah. This is more of what I spoke of last week where the producers just go for the laziest avenue, assuming that because she has a few Insta followers she’s a ‘celeb’. I know RTE heads are about as plugged into the real world as your nan at a Kendrick Lamar concert, but someone needs to tell that ‘followings’ like that are fairly empty and make for bad TV. Nobody was calling to have her back based on that date. It’s desperation from them to get headlines and they really need to figure out what kind of show they want to produce, because First Dates isn’t a Z-list celeb show, it’s a show about normal people going on their first date.

Also don’t see why they include people being stood up. The first time it was ever done on the UK one (fun fact; I know the guy who stood her up on that :pac:), it was dramatic because it had never been done before and we didn’t realise that could be a thing. But now it’s not dramatic. We’ve seen it done, it’s a blind date so it’s clearly nothing personal on the other person, so basically you’re just setting up and showing a humiliating moment another person went through on national TV.

cgcsb wrote: »

People here don't know her and are calling her all sorts. I know her and am taking up for her and I should take my post down?

Also she clearly wants all this attention sticking herself up on Instagram looking for followers so why not? She’s hardly a private person.

It definitely strikes me as a production team who want to make a Love Island-style show but are stuck doing this and don’t have a firm handle over what show it is they’re looking to make. Reality is that the Love Island audience isn’t going to be tuning in in their droves to watch a low budget RTE remake with less attractive and somehow more vapid contestants, so they need to keep away from the people who were rejected from that show and stick to the genuine ones who actually want to meet someone and not get a few Insta followers. I don't think Bebo Stunnah even talked about dating or what she wanted beyond saying she didn’t enjoy it! Her entire interviews were centred around her being Miss Bikini Ireland or whatever random social media contest she entered that she thinks is a big deal.

People I know that enjoy First Dates are 25-40 and, for the most part, want to watch real people participate in genuine dates. I understand there’s a bit of creative production trickery and editing needed sometimes to put a fun narrative together, that’s true of any TV show. But what grabs people about this show is the simplicity and relatability in comparison to all other dating shows. I hope they focus on that and just doing their job well rather than lazily leaning on these stunt contestants next season. If I was working on this show, I’d say the matchmaking part would be the most fun and interesting side. This season it’s seemed to be a chore and you can see it in the amount of dates that went nowhere or turned into trainwrecks.

Was last night a new episode or a re-hash?

the purple tin wrote: »

Why didn't the barman ask the Canadian out? They seemed to be getting on well.

When the Emcee jokingly suggested it to him the barman almost dived under the bar in fright!

Why would you wish him on that girl. :eek::pac:

A good episode I thought, it was mainly younger people, all under 40? And all seemed to be on for genuine reasons apart from the bikini model.

Jamie and Rosa seemed like a sound pair, both seemed mature for their age and the conversations they had seemed to have more depth than many others who've been on this season.

Brian and Sarah was an annoying date to watch but also entertaining for that reason. He really thought he was a ladies man but it seemed like she had no interest at all. I didn't catch their ages but guessing mid 30s, he went on like he was ten years younger with all of the boasting about drinking and mad nights out. Surely he knew telling the story about why he split with his ex was not a good idea for a first date, especially a girl who seemed particularly not into partying. Some of his flirting was pure awkward and cringe too. I know she was from Kildare, but it seemed like a real poor match up of a dub vs a culchie.

Ronan and Jodie were an interesting match up, I'd say realistically they were never going to work out long term but both attractive people who are probably a bit different to what they are used to. Not surprised it was a yes but also not too surprised it didn't go anywhere.

Felt bad for the Canadian girl, she seemed really nice and would have been good to watch, hopefully she comes back again.

Will miss watching it on a Thursday night, was one of few things I watched regularly and definitely helped through this lockdown!

YellowLead wrote: »

Is this the last in the current series?

I'd say so. They did a bit of a review of all the dates that matched up, and one or two that didn't. We might get 2-3 episodes of 'Best of FD 2021'.

4Ad wrote: »

She was polite about it and he couldn't give a damn, he went to Fine Wines and got 6 cans of Clonmel Chardonnay for the journey home, and pissed himself laughing telling the lads !!

He's a tool. I know his type too well. He'll never settle down, if he finds someone he won't stick around too long once things get serious.

What to make of that?

I thought Jamie and Rosa were really well suited, but I know from personal experience that he needs to ditch a couple of stone to make himself more available. Apart from that he has everything going for him. Never got the impression he was gay like some other viewers.

Judy and Blonde Cork guy... his mannerisms were a bit like Spud from Trainspotting. He seeemd nice, but spoke over her a couple of times. She was about to tell something of her upbringing and he gave a 'Oh, me too... let me tell you about my experience' type of answer. He needs to zip it a bit and listen a bit more. My first thought he'd be looking for a guy. She's a stunner, seemed very well grounded, I liked her.

Ronan and Jodie... He thought he was the dog's bollix. For someone like that he dressed like someone working in a warehouse, the shirt was dire. She knows what she wants, she's pursuing a career, or income in fashion or whatever, so she tried to get herself more exposure. Nothing wrong with that, but I don't want to see it and the producers could do without that. Apart from that she's not really my type, she's too superficial for me, but if what the poster above wrote about her is true, then fair play to her getting herself out of a potential downward spiral.

Brian and Sarah... Brian is a twat, he needs to grow up. Pints and cans with the lads are fine and well, but it stops at some stage and he doesn't need to advertise it. He was totally full of himself and was somewhere between shocked and gutted when she dumped him, very publicly. I got a creep vibe off him, also got the impression he's a messy drunk to be out with. She was fine, but slightly vacuous for her years.

Sad it's over, I'll miss it. I really enjoy it and have come to like it more than the UK version. It needs more mature couples and less of the 'Insta/Tik Tok' crowd. I know that they are easy to source as they probably use casting agencies or similar, but most of us seem to dislike them.

Housefree wrote: »

He spent four-and-a-half years serving in the Israeli army enforcing apartheid apparently

https://www.irishmirror.ie/tv/first-dates-ireland-show-staff-23483811

Did he live in Israel I wonder?

If you are a citizen you have no choice: you either go in the IDF when you turn 18 or else you go to military prison.

Was it a new episode last night?

Housefree wrote: »

He's Canadian, 'As of 2020, the normal length of compulsory service was two years and six months for men'
Jewish people from anywhere can sign up to serve

Now that you mention it, there was an ex army man from Kerry on a few weeks ago. The barman was telling him that he had served in the military as well. When the Kerryman started asking him about it the barman sort of clammed up and said 'oh it's a long story' or something like that and would say no more.
Probably wise for him to zip it as any Irish soldier who had served in Lebanon as i think the Kerryman had would have no love for the Israeli army.

Dtp1979 wrote: »

Was it a new episode last night?

Yes

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

Honestly I don't know why anyone would go on this show
Like rejection is a part of dating, just the way it goes. But who wants to potentially get rejected on a national level? - all because you can say you were on TV? ... That doesn't mean anything.

Like forget covid and lockdowns for a second. People meet off dating websites and go on blind dates all the time. No one recording it. Nothing to haunt you should your date go sideways.

Besides this is a TV program. Someone is going to be made an idiot, cocky, desperate through editing.

Like for the record I get the appeal of why someone would watch it. But as for appearing on it .... To hell with that :pac:

It is not really easy to edit someone who isn’t a d1ck into looking like one. In the initial selection interview, if you are genuine and don’t put yourself in a bad light, it’s more than likely the way you are portrayed in the final footage is going to be the way you are. If you act like a pr1ck you are going to come across as one.

In my opinion the people who got adverse reactions either denigrate their date, try too hard, are fake or cross a line. One way to guarantee that you will regret appearing on the show is if using it as a way to improve your social media likes or aspirations of a media career.

On a separate note I have seen the busker who was matched with the drummer busking in Dun Laoghaire. She had a posse of kids dancing as she played. Was just class.

Any time that I remember people that came across in a bad way was not really from editing but because they were just an unpleasant person. Also if an editor is going to maliciously edit it in a nefarious way, then it’s likely that the person brought it on themselves based on the initial interview or from their social media persona.

I could be mistaken but it’s rare that anyone says that they were subject of a hatchet job. There is usually enough real footage to do this.