Love Triangle was a game show that aired on the Game Show Network (GSN) from April 11 to August 28, 2011.
Hosted by the television personality Wendy Williams, the show combined elements of a dating game with a talk show format. It was designed to explore the complexities of love triangles, where a single dater was romantically involved with two different people. The show aimed to provide entertainment by delving into the personal dynamics and secrets of the contestants, often dramatizing the results for heightened viewer engagement.
The format of Love Triangle involved a single dater and two suitors, each with distinct lifestyles and personalities. The show began by revealing secrets from the suitors’ pasts, setting the stage for the dater to assess their compatibility. This assessment was conducted through a series of personality tests that focused on key relationship aspects such as lifestyle, money, and sex.
The suitors were required to answer questions while connected to a polygraph machine, humorously dubbed the “Trustbuster,” to gauge their honesty and sincerity.
One of the unique aspects of the show was its use of visual aids to project potential futures with each suitor. This included insights into their financial situations and even hypothetical images of what their children might look like. These elements added a layer of intrigue and helped the dater make an informed decision about whom to choose.
At the end of each episode, the dater had to eliminate one of the suitors, leaving with the chosen partner as the winner of a vacation prize. This decision-making process was central to the show’s appeal, as it combined elements of suspense, drama, and personal revelation.
Wendy Williams, known for her candid and bold personality, was an integral part of Love Triangle’s appeal. Her role as host added a layer of charisma and entertainment value, as she guided the contestants through the emotionally charged process. Williams’ involvement in the show extended beyond hosting; she also served as an executive producer alongside her husband, Kevin Hunter.
Despite its premise and format, Love Triangle was not renewed for a second season. It aired a total of 32 episodes before concluding in August 2011.
The show was part of GSN’s broader strategy to capitalize on the success of other dating and relationship-themed shows like Baggage and The Newlywed Game. However, it did not achieve the same level of longevity or popularity.
Reruns of Love Triangle have been broadcast on various networks, including LifeStyle You in Australia.
GSN continued to air reruns until January 10, 2015, when the show was replaced by Deal or No Deal in the network’s schedule.
The use of polygraph tests in Love Triangle was a significant feature, as it added an element of truth-seeking and confrontation to the show’s narrative. This approach was reflective of a broader trend in reality television, where lie detectors are often used to create dramatic moments and reveal hidden truths. The polygraph’s role in Love Triangle was to provide a sense of authenticity and accountability, as contestants were forced to confront their honesty in front of the audience.
Wendy Williams’ involvement in Love Triangle was part of her broader career trajectory as a media personality known for her bold and sometimes controversial style. She gained fame as a radio host before transitioning to television, where she became known for her talk show, The Wendy Williams Show. Her ability to engage audiences with her candid and often humorous approach made her a fitting host for Love Triangle, a show that thrived on emotional revelations and dramatic confrontations.
The show’s production was handled by 3 Ball Productions, a company known for creating engaging reality television content. The decision to green-light Love Triangle was influenced by the success of similar shows on GSN, which had demonstrated a strong audience interest in dating and relationship-themed programming.
While Love Triangle did not continue beyond its initial season, it remains a notable example of the innovative formats explored by reality television during the early 2010s. Its combination of dating dynamics, personality assessments, and polygraph tests created a unique viewing experience that appealed to fans of both game shows and talk shows.
Love Triangle was a short-lived but memorable addition to the landscape of reality television. Hosted by Wendy Williams, the show offered a blend of dating drama and personal revelation, using polygraph tests to explore the honesty of contestants. Although it did not achieve long-term success, Love Triangle remains an interesting case study in the evolution of reality TV formats and the role of charismatic hosts in engaging audiences.
Imdb profile:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2033695/
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