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Joel Creasey to host Take Me Out (but gay contestants need not apply)

The nation voted Yes for equality. So why is one dating show voting No?

In 2018, just months after Australia voted yes, is it acceptable for television to stage a dating show without same-sex attracted participants?

TEN’s Blind Date is currently casting for straight & gay contestants, but Seven’s upcoming Take Me Out is not.

Ironically, today Seven confirmed Joel Creasey as host, a fun and engaging choice.

Take Me Out is a speed-dating show, which has its origins in Taken Out, originally on TEN in 2008 with host James Kerley. Despite its short-run it went on to become a hit internationally, notably as China’s daggy If You Are The One (seen on SBS).

The format relies on some 30 singles vying for the affections of 1 person. In production, 29 of those who luck out of an episode then return in the next episode, meaning that for a same-sex edition to succeed it requires a separate pool of orientation and network commitment to a suite of episodes.

Last year Seven signed an industry diversity charter, which notes: “We aim to actively reflect the diversity of Australian society at every level of our workforce, by gender, age, race, sexual orientation, nationality, religion and disability or geographic location, both in our employees and the stories we tell.”

A spokesperson from FremantleMedia Australia said: “In 2018, the format of Take Me Out will have 30 single females at the buzzers for the run of first series, all returning each episode until they find their perfect suitor. We’ll look to future series to explore all types of relationships as has been done overseas.”

There is no indication if gay (or bisexual) females are welcome to join in.

Creasey, who recently hosted Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras for SBS said, “Across the world, Take Me Out is just so much ridiculous fun; a hilarious and wild ride. Take Me Out is like a front row seat to the awkward moment when a guy walks up to a woman at a bar. Pass me the popcorn… and something alcoholic, waiter!

“I’ve had my fair share of bad dates, and I know how important it is to kick it off right… on national TV, in front of a live crowd! I can’t wait to help Australians strike that match and let the love in on Take Me Out. I also can’t wait to make my debut on Channel Seven! Joel Creasey on Channel Seven? Watch out Kochie… I’m coming in hot!”

Heterosexual singles over the age of 18 can apply to takemeoutaustralia.com.au

Gay & straight singles should apply to Blind Date on TEN.

20 Responses

  1. Whilst acknowledging his career success which is deserved to break through, I’m also puzzled by Joel’s popularity with producers and programmers. I’ve seen him live at a couple of gigs and they’ve both been terrible. I thought he was really good toned down in Sisters, but as an MC, presenter, guest panelist – and even comedian – I find him unpalatable. If he toned it down would be much easier to watch, in my opinion. But I also just don’t feel he connects well with audiences or guests, its a skill you either have or you don’t …

  2. Someones got a bee in their bonnet. This story sounds like a kid sooking. What a load of rubbish. Australia voted for SSM but the inference in this story is that now everything is painted with the same brush. Even the last 2 lines in the story are offensive to me. Yes I voted for SSM.

  3. Outrage for outrage sakes? It’s the nature of the format – it took ten years for the UK version to produce one with just the roles reversed, but just didn’t work as men simply aren’t as quick to judge as women.

    Home and Away on the other hand – they’ve little excuse for waiting so long.

  4. I think we maybe are being a tad harsh here. If it’s the same thirty singles for the whole run, the season is likely being filmed over only a day or two. It’s the first season on seven, so it’s probably only six or eight episodes in total. If it’s successful, we may see same sex attracted folks in the next season.
    I’m pleased for Joel though, his star seems to be on the rise and he seems like a decent guy.

    1. Diversity doesn’t mean every show has to reflect the population at the last Census. People are demanding that Seven has 27 straight women, 1 gay man and 1 lesbian vying for the attention of 1 straight male each week for 6 or so weeks (and how does that turn out to be pro-diversity instead of just being tokenistic, cruel and offensive?). Or they have 100 episodes in a 6 episode run to cater for all the possible combinations. This format works best when it’s a male trying to plug himself and avoid getting rejected by lots of women, before he gets his choice at the end, so that is what Seven is starting with. This is what every other edition uses as their main format. They have mixed it up later, and Seven says they will consider doing the same thing. What does trying to trash the show before it even has a chance to fail on its own merits achieve?

  5. I guess having a gay host is all Seven can handle, just look at Home and Away, they’ve taken to 2018 to introduce a gay permenant character.
    I probably want watch this anyway, not a fan of Joel, but FTA seem to love Joel and Julia.

    1. First Dates has had LGBT individuals participating and there has been LGBT characters & couples on Winners and Losers and A Place To Call Home so its hardly a new concept for the network.

  6. Who knows, if the show is successful, they may do some same-sex specials. The Chinese version on SBS occasionally showcase specials such as having all males for a female, international contestants, etc.

  7. Sorry, can’t stand Joel. The most annoying person on TV…and there are many of them. But clearly someone out there backs him as he’s been getting a lot of work lately.

    1. I completely agree with you, I find him quite annoying too and unwatchable. He seems to get opportunity after opportunity, which puzzles me. He clearly has producer support, but does he get ratings to match that support???

      1. Yep, puzzles me too. Just can’t see the appeal.
        The fact that he’s going to be one of the hosts of Rove’s new movie show has turned me right off watching.

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