When you're in the mood to flirt, date, and maybe even say I do
Because it's springtime, and people are downloading dating apps again
As I write this, it’s not lost on me that currently, most of the people who subscribe to this newsletter are not single. That said, I don’t think being in a relationship means you won’t be interested in watching these three TV series about dating and relationships. But what do I know? I’m the single one ;)
Thank you to those of you who answered my reader survey (if you haven’t yet, please do)! This week’s recommendations are in response to a request for more comedy and romance — so, please enjoy!
The order I’ve presented here is no indication of which show I liked best (for the record, the one I liked the best is Say I Do) but I thought it might be fun to list them in the order that many typical dating narratives follow: dating, then relationships, then marriage (if marriage is your thing, that is).
So, without further ado, my recommendations for when you're in the mood to flirt, date, and maybe even say I do.
DATING AROUND
You’ll like this if you like: First Dates (The British reality show), shows set in New York City, watching what people order at restaurants and bars, Esther Perel podcasts, and catchy songs that play when the credits roll at the end of a movie.
You’ll like this if you don’t like: Love is Blind, Love Island, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Too Hot to Handle, etc.
Refreshingly real, sincere, and funny, Netflix’s Dating Around (2019-2020) is a breath of fresh air when it comes to reality dating shows. As authentic and candid as a reality dating show can be, Dating Around — which ran for 2 seasons — provides viewers with a friendly voyeur’s view of a series of blind dates. Set in New York (Season 1) and New Orleans (Season 2), the show introduces viewers to a single, eligible person in each episode and a series of people who producers have matched them with.
With glowy Instagram filter lighting, the dates offer a candid albeit glossy view of modern dating in America. The editing keeps the pace of the show going, as each main character wears the same outfit on every date, allowing viewers to enjoy all of the dates at once, as the scenes are intercut amongst each other.
Like with any reality dating show, viewers keep watching because they want to find out who the principal daters will choose — although thankfully in this case, you don’t have to watch multiple episodes for one big reveal. Dating Around’s capsule episodes also make it easy to watch one episode at a time — which is great if you’re not a big fan of binge-watching, or you just don’t have much time.
In a sea of reality dating shows that are just plain toxic, Dating Around offers a bit more of a realistic view of modern dating — well, as real as it can be — and depicts a cast with a more diverse array of ages, body types, and sexual orientations - which you’ll see more of once you get past Luke, the bland dater who is featured in season 1, episode 1.
As I re-watched, it made me wonder (and cringe at) how I might act on a date that was being filmed. That said, it was refreshingly optimistic to see people putting themselves out there in an age when dating is becoming more and more challenging.
My favourite daters in season 1 were Leonard, an absolute sweetheart who loves martinis and oysters; and Mila, whose honest and cute flirtations with her dates made me smile. Season 2’s clear favourite was Ben, the awkwardly sweet university professor.
🇨🇦 Where to Stream: Netflix
Fun Facts: If you prefer to venture outside of the U.S., they also created Dating Around Brazil. I haven’t watched it yet — if you have, let me know how you liked it in the comments!
LOVE LIFE
You’ll like this if you like: Modern Love (based on the NY Times column), Love (the Judd Apatow series), Taylor Swift music, hipster coffee shops, Sex and the City, and shopping at JCrew and Anthropologie.
A scripted anthology series, Love Life (2020-2021) is a romantic dramedy that follows two characters, one in each season, as they navigate romantic relationships. If Dating Around brings viewers the first date, Love Life takes that meet-cute moment and runs with it, right into a series of relationships that each of the main characters experience.
These main characters are Darby Carter (Anna Kendrick) and Marcus Watkins (William Jackson Harper). Both live in New York and although at least one of them struggles with career direction and needs roommates, they live largely charmed, privileged New York City lives. Their relationships, however, are a bit of a mess.
Each episode invites viewers to wonder who Darby and Marcus will meet next, and if this person will end up being “the one”. Their stories are not without struggle, as topics such as addiction, mental health, midlife crisis, and more are explored, but there’s levity in the show from comedic moments and entertaining performances, mostly from the ensemble cast.
This may be the first show I’m recommending that I didn’t absolutely love. This could be due to my dislike of Anna Kendrick, so I’m curious what this show would have been like with a different lead in season 1, but I also wonder if it would have been a better show if it was 100% a comedy, or 100% a drama, not in-between.
What I did like about this series was the ensemble cast that featured talented actors I enjoy like Arian Moayed (Succession) and Zoë Chao (The Afterparty). Comedic actors Jessica Williams, Nick Thune, and SNL’s Ego Nwodim also gave great performances. Arguably the best part of this series was the narration provided by veteran actors Lesley Manville (season 1) and Keith David (season 2).
Love Life is a good one-time watch if you find it fun — like I do — to analyze fictional relationships on TV. That said, in true Carrie Bradshaw fashion, I couldn’t help but wonder, “What would this show have been like starring say, Alison Brie?”
Let me know what you think!
🇨🇦 Where to Stream: Crave (Max), Amazon Prime (with Crave channel)
🇨🇦 Where to Rent: Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
Fun Facts: Love Life was Max’s first original series when it launched in 2020 — although a lot of us still call it “HBO Max”. Potato, potato.
SAY I DO
You’ll like this if you like: Queer Eye, HGTV shows, wedding design, hot Italian chefs, curating your Pinterest boards, and having a good healthy cry.
Just when you think your cold, jaded, single heart is close to freezing over, mark my words it will start to thaw when you watch Netflix’s Say I Do (2020). Please don’t judge it by its cheesy title.
This heartwarming reality show is indeed about surprise weddings, but it’s also just about people navigating life’s wins and hardships, and about how they fell in love with “the one”. Oh - and let’s not forget, it’s also about three talented men who make wedding dreams come true.
Say I Do brings viewers into the lives of a different couple in each episode who, for a myriad of reasons, would have not otherwise had the means or the opportunity to have a fabulous wedding — or in one case — a wedding re-do. The show is hosted by chef Gabriele Bertaccini, fashion designer Thai Nguyen, and interior designer Jeremiah Brent who, together with a crew of helpers, work quickly to make beautiful, custom weddings a reality for the participants.
Say I Do has been called “Queer Eye for weddings” and it does have some similarities, but since its focus is on the love stories and the gorgeous, personalized weddings that the hosts and their teams create, it’s much more romantic. It also made me cry way more — and I’m a Pisces who cries easily.
🇨🇦 Where to Stream: Netflix
Fun Facts: Chef Gabriele Bertaccini can currently be seen on a Food Network show, Ciao House, which is set in Tuscany. He’s also a self-described “best dog dad ever”, although my internet sleuthing hasn’t made it clear to me yet if he owns 1, 2, or 3 Australian Shepherds!
Fashion designer Thai Nguyen has created custom red-carpet designs for celebrities like Kristen Bell, Jennifer Lopez, and Katy Perry among others. He has also worked on RuPaul’s Drag Race.
It was recently announced that Jeremiah Brent joined the cast of Queer Eye, replacing Bobby Berk as the interior design expert. I’m a big fan of Jeremiah so I can’t wait to see him join Antoni in the “ugly cry” as they help the participants in season 9, which is either already filming in Las Vegas or will be soon. He also recently published a book about The Space That Keeps You: When Home Becomes a Love Story.
Enjoy the show(s),
Heather
Streaming and rental sources listed are limited to the services and websites I subscribe to and/or have access to (in Canada) at the time of publishing. Feel free to search your streaming and cable services for these titles.
We enjoyed watching Dating Around on Netflix.The two venues NYC and New Orleans offered different attitudes in the daters. The cultural differences were fascinating! We enjoyed the older daters.
I watched Season 1 and most of Season 2 of Love Life. I am not as adverse to Anna Kendrick as you are lol so that season was better for me. I never finished Season 2 and left that character. I just couldn't relate. You're kind right...loved Modern Love but I can't admit to the rest. Gonna watch the Wedding series when I need a Queen Eye fix and there's not new seasons...