Ellen DeGeneres Filming NBC Dating Show In Chicago This Summer
By Danette Chavez in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 9, 2015 7:30PM
Chicago has become a go-to filming location for movies and television series lately, though most endeavors have focused on civil and public service (see Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D. or even Sirens). This July, we'll see something a little different when production begins on an Ellen DeGeneres executive-produced dating show that will come to town just in time to help you find summer love. Or at least get a free meal.
DeGeneres is working with British production company Shed Media on an adaptation of the popular UK reality show, First Dates. The eight-episode series will air on NBC and a programming exec told the Tribune that Chicago's "salt-of-the-earth spirit with heartland values," along with our "cosmopolitan and youthful" air are facets they wish to share with viewers. Let's just hope DeGeneres doesn't want to incorporate her unique brand of "gotcha journalism."
The stateside version will have the same moniker and format: each episode will feature multiple singles wooing each other for the first time at the same location (here's where all those Chicago communal table restaurants might come in handy). There will be eight episodes in the premiere season, so there's a good chance you'll catch a friend or co-worker of yours engaging in some awkward small talk or hitting it off with a local cutie on the small screen.
Interested singles can fill out the dating questionnaire (which is of Patti Stanger levels of thoroughness) online before daydreaming about the best first-meeting spot. Although it sounds like the show will stick to the dinner-date format, you could take inspiration from our past suggestions for inventiv dates, in case you'd like to make your TV debut especially memorable.