The 5th Wheel

Last updated
The 5th Wheel
Genre Reality/Dating/Comedy
Directed by
Presented by
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes523
Production
Executive producers
Producers
Camera setup Multi-camera
Running time22–24 minutes
Production company Bobwell Productions (Renegade division)
Original release
Network Syndication
ReleaseSeptember 17, 2001 (2001-09-17) 
May 21, 2004 (2004-05-21)

The 5th Wheel was an American dating reality series that aired in syndication from 2001 to 2004. The show was initially hosted by comedian Aisha Tyler, [1] but when Tyler left after completing the first season, the remaining two seasons were hosted in narration by announcer Tom Gottlieb.

Contents

The series' closing slogan was, "...where strangers become friends, friends become lovers, and lovers become bitter, suicidal exes all on the same show." However, when Gottlieb took over the show, the catchphrase was altered accordingly to say "...where strangers become lovers and lovers become bitter suicidal exes all in the same show."

Synopsis

The show would begin with two men and two women, all of whom were sent out on a joint date where each couple would spend time with each other and then switch to spend time with the other man/woman (the show never did any episodes with entirely same-sex contestants). Then a 5th man or woman (hence, "the fifth wheel") would join the group, usually as a more outgoing/sensual counterpoint to the initial 4 contestants. After a mix of dates involving the initial players and the 5th wheel, every contestant would write down the name of the person they'd like to go out with again, and everyone would reveal their selections at the end of the show to see who won and who lost; the "ideal" result for the show would involve two couples picking each other and one poor person being left out, though in one case a man and woman chose each other and the other man and TWO women (including the 5th wheel) all chose each other; this episode involved the FFM pair taking off each others' clothes (this was edited so it was not shown explicitly in the TV broadcast) in the private room that the show made available for hookups if wanted. Picking nobody was an option for all contestants, though it was seldom used. The cameras would follow their every move, while commentary in the form of subtitles, animations, and "thought bubbles" (similar to the style used in Pop-Up Video) was added by the show's producers. At the end, they would all vote on whom they would like to go out with, and an option of choosing "nobody" as well. The show was cancelled in 2004.

Production notes

The series was produced by Renegade Productions, a subdivision of Bobwell Productions/Gold Coast Entertainment—the same company that produced Blind Date (which would often air before The 5th Wheel) -- but was more provocative and sexual in nature than its sister series, offering crazier and more elaborate subtitles and superimposed animated jokes which altered the appearance of the scene featuring each couple.

Crew

The 5th Wheel's credits listed veteran comedy writers Rob Dames, Vance DeGeneres, Martin Olson and Archie Gips.

Syndication

Reruns were eventually aired on Fox Reality, but later was removed from its lineup. An "uncensored" version of the series without pixelated nudity or profanity censored was made available via pay-per-view and video on demand under the Too Much For TV branding of American PPV provider In Demand, and remains a part of the service's rotation several years after the show's departure from broadcast television.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Game show</span> Type of television or radio program where contestants compete for prizes

A game show is a genre of broadcast viewing entertainment where contestants compete for rewards. The shows are typically directed by a host, who explains the rules of the game as well as commentating and narrating where necessary. The history of the game shows dates back to the late 1930s when both radio and television game shows were broadcast. The genre became popular in the United States in the 1950s, becoming a regular feature of daytime television.

Dating game shows are game shows that incorporates a variety of matchmaking systems and services in the form of a game with clear rules. Human matchmaking is involved only in selecting the game's contestants, who are usually selected more for the amusement value than any concern for their happiness or compatibility. The audience sees only the game; an important feature of all dating game shows is that the contestants have little or no previous knowledge of each other, and are exposed to each other only through the game, which may include viewing a photograph or at least knowing the basic criteria for participation.

<i>The Joe Schmo Show</i> American reality television series

The Joe Schmo Show is a reality television hoax show created by Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese. The series was broadcast in the U.S. on the cable network Spike. The show's premise is that a target person or people are led to believe that they are contestants on a reality television show; in reality, all of the other participants in the purported show – including the host – are actors, and their actions and the outcome of the purported show are all scripted in an attempt to elicit comedic reactions from the targets. The show's first season, The Joe Schmo Show, aired in 2003, and its second season, Joe Schmo 2, aired in 2004. The first season's hoax was conducted as a typical reality competition show while the second hoax was a Bachelor-like dating series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aisha Tyler</span> American actress and talk show host

Aisha Nilaja Tyler is an American actress and talk show host. She is known for playing Andrea Marino in the first season of Ghost Whisperer, Dr. Tara Lewis in Criminal Minds, Mother Nature in the final two The Santa Clause films, and voicing Lana Kane in Archer. She also had recurring roles on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Talk Soup, and Friends.

<i>Fear Factor</i> Game show

Fear Factor was an American stunt/dare game show that first aired on NBC from 2001 to 2006 and was initially hosted by comedian and UFC commentator Joe Rogan. The show was adapted by Endemol USA from the original Dutch series titled Now or Neverland.

Alison Hammond is a British television personality and actress. She competed in the third series of the reality show Big Brother in 2002, in which she was the second housemate to be evicted. She has since become a presenter and reporter on ITV's This Morning (2002–present) and a co-presenter on the Channel 4 reality baking competition The Great British Bake Off (2023–present). In January 2024, it was announced that Hammond would take over For the Love of Dogs from Paul O'Grady, following his death in March 2023.

<i>The Challenge</i> (TV series) Reality competition show

The Challenge is a reality competition show on MTV that is a spin-off of two of the network's reality shows, The Real World and Road Rules. Premiering in 1998, it originally featured alumni from these two shows, casting for The Challenge has slowly expanded to include contestants who debuted on The Challenge itself, alumni from other MTV franchises including Are You the One?, Ex on the Beach, Geordie Shore, siblings and friends, and from other non-MTV shows, competitions. The contestants compete against one another in various extreme challenges to avoid elimination. The winners of the final challenge win the competition and typically share a large cash prize. The Challenge is currently hosted by T. J. Lavin.

<i>Blind Date</i> (American TV series) American TV series or program

Blind Date is an American dating game show. The show was originally hosted by Roger Lodge, and is currently hosted by Nikki Glaser.

A blind date is a romantic meeting between two people who have never met before. After a blind date they can decide either they want to be in a relationship or not.

<i>Wheel of Fortune</i> (British game show) British television game show

Wheel of Fortune is a British television game show based on the American show of the same name created by Merv Griffin. Contestants compete to solve word puzzles, similar to those used in Hangman, to win cash and prizes. The title refers to the show's giant carnival wheel that contestants spin throughout the course of the game to determine their cash and/or prizes.

<i>Estate of Panic</i> American TV series or program

Estate of Panic is an American reality competition show in which seven strangers compete to find cash in a large estate. The show is hosted by Steve Valentine, and produced by Endemol USA.

<i>Whose Line Is It Anyway?</i> (American TV series) American improv TV series

Whose Line Is It Anyway? is an American improvisational comedy television series, and is an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It originally aired on ABC and ABC Family from August 5, 1998 to December 15, 2007, hosted by Drew Carey. A revival of the show, hosted by Aisha Tyler, began airing on The CW on July 16, 2013.

Love in the Wild is a reality television series that debuted on June 29, 2011, on NBC. The show is created and produced by Endemol USA. The first season was hosted by Darren McMullen; season 2 premiered on June 5, 2012, with new host Jenny McCarthy.

<i>Are You the One?</i> American reality television series

Are You the One? is an American reality television series featuring a group of men and women that are secretly paired into couples via a matchmaking algorithm. While living together, the contestants try to identify all of these "perfect matches." If they succeed, the entire group shares a prize of up to $1 million. All couples in the first seven seasons were male-female, while in the eighth season a contestant's match could be someone of any gender.

The Big Date is an American dating show hosted by Mark L. Walberg, which aired on the USA Network from June 17, 1996 to September 19, 1997. Notably, the series featured a young Jon Hamm as a contestant on one episode. Susan Powter and Hank Steinberg also appeared as participants.

<i>The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II</i> Season of television series

The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II is the 26th season of MTV's reality game show, The Challenge, and the sequel to the show's 22nd season, Battle of the Exes. Filming occurred in Pedasí, Panama and Ørsta, Norway in August and September 2014, with former cast members from MTV's The Real World, The Challenge, and Are You the One? competing. With Are You the One?, this season marks the first to feature cast members from a show not produced by Bunim-Murray Productions.

<i>Coupled</i> American TV series or program

Coupled is an American dating game show that aired on Fox from May 17 to August 2, 2016. It was hosted by television personality, Terrence J and created by Mark Burnett, of Survivor, The Apprentice, Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?, Shark Tank, and The Voice, as well as Ben Newmark, Dan Newmark and Larry Barron.

<i>Love Is Blind</i> (TV series) 2020 Netflix reality series

Love Is Blind is a Netflix reality series created by Chris Coelen and produced by Kinetic Content that premiered on February 13, 2020. The show follows a social experiment where single men and women look for love and get engaged, all before meeting in person. Each season premieres episodes on Netflix over the course of 3 or 4 weeks and are followed by a reunion special and three "After the Altar" episodes that follow months later. The series has gained a large viewership and received mostly positive reviews by critics.

<i>Love Island</i> (American season 4) 2022 season of American reality television series

The 4th season of the American version of the television reality program Love Island premiered on July 19, 2022. The fourth season is the first to be released on Peacock, after the series previously aired on CBS. Sarah Hyland takes over hosting duties from Arielle Vandenberg, who hosted the series for its first three seasons.

<i>Love Island Games</i>

Love Island Games is a spin-off of the reality dating series Love Island. It features previous Love Island contestants from various countries in the franchise competing in challenges. The show premiered on 1 November 2023 and was released on Peacock in the United States. Hosted by Maya Jama and narrated by Iain Stirling.

References

  1. "Aisha Tyler Hosts A New Reality Show "The 5th Wheel"". Albany Democrat-Herald. 2001-10-21. p. 58. Retrieved 2022-04-30.