Better Date than Never

When producers of Love on the Spectrum were casting for the US adaptation of their hit ABC series a question loomed large in their minds: How would they ever find another Michael?

Described as the “heart and soul” of the show’s two seasons, he was embraced by Australians for his warmth, humour, determination and endless optimism on his quest for love.

Now Northern Pictures offers us Better Date than Never, a 6 part series in which 5 Australians agree to have cameras follow them on blind dates, which have been arranged for them by producers.

While First Dates sits down at a restaurant table, and MAFS has TV weddings at the altar, Better Date than Never charts a gentler, grounded path, allowing us to get to know the participants, their desires and fears before the big day.

This is ABC, so forget about hot singles in training for Instagram careers.

Episode one introduces us to Olivia 22 from Queensland, Charles a 27 year old international student from China and Nirvali, a 20 year old woman from Queensland.

“Having a relationship would mean the whole world to me… I’m hoping to find the one,” reveals Olivia.

Her family home is bulging with her many trophies and medals in dance, dressage, swimming, and poetry. She’s even the owner of a Young Citizen of the Year certificate and has addressed the United Nations as an advocate for people with Down Syndrome.

But she’s never been on a date, and is full of enthusiasm for the plans producers have set. She also doesn’t want to be responsible for breaking any hearts and frankly, would just like a tall guy who can reach into the back of the cupboard. I hear you.

Mum Kerry, part of the family we also meet, is nervous but will go with the flow.

“Olivia just doesn’t see obstacles,” she explains.

Meanwhile Charles came out as gay after watching the NYE fireworks in Sydney in 2020, clearly more confident to do so in a new country and a new year. But he has found the dating apps are rife with making judgements on body image and has also encountered some appalling racism. His elation at the prospect of a very first date is truly endearing.

Lastly Nirvali concedes rarely venturing outdoors due to her social anxieties, and certainly never pursuing romance, until this new chapter.

“I think it’s going to challenge my hermit lifestyle and break out of a shell I don’t want to be in,” she says.

Audiences will also be impressed by her brother whose support is particularly heart-warming.

“First step go outside. Next step, world domination,” he insists.

A nervous Nirvali asks her mother, “Should I tell them about my anxieties?” and reveals, “I’d like to be in love even if it hurts.” Newsflash: at some point it will.

Producers may argue they are adding storyline beats by deliberately holding back the blind dates they have waiting in the wings (only one is revealed in the first episode), but it’s also a device used in reality TV.

Mercifully the tone is anything but reality here.

Northern Pictures crafts with empathy and insight, taking on board the needs and limitations of their most fragile participants. It’s framed in realness with sweetness and humour around the edges.

Oddly, there is a bodyless voice-of-producer interacting with the participants, asking them questions, which may be of necessity as some sort of pandemic zoom restriction, but I found it quite distracting (especially when used in outdoor scenes … who IS this voice and where are they coming from?).

Further episodes will feature 68 year old transgender farmer Dianne and 20 year old Liv who is diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

It’s great to be inclusive, but the casting also does make me feel like this is trying a bit too hard to be Love on the Spectrum 3 rather than landing with its own voice.

That said, it’s easy to root for these participants. Charles may not quite be Michael, but you really want him to get through his first date (in episode two) and for everyone to emerge stronger, richer and with a twinkle in their eye.

8pm Tuesday on ABC.