A hurricane of reality TV is going to hit Utah’s media world.

It is not Katrina or Rita, but our state’s first reality TV dating series — “Not on the First Date [NOTFD].”

“How funny would it be if a bunch of Mormons are on a TV dating show?" Jimmy Rex, the producer and the host of “NOTFD”, said this is what he thought while he was watching other dating shows on TV.

This sparked the idea for “NOTFD.”

"Once I thought of the idea it was too funny not to go through with it,” Rex said.

What was once an idea became reality when Rex put his thoughts into action. Although Rex had no experience in filming, he surrounded himself film experts and was able to successfully produce the reality show.

“NOTFD” is similar to the show “Blind Date.” About 75 percent of the dates are filmed right here in Utah County, and the rest are filmed in various other Salt Lake Valley locations. Rex said this local dating scene is what makes “NOTFD” such a distinctive show.

“Just imagine the next time you turn on the TV and find people from your school going to your favorite hang outs and using lines such as, ‘I was so much funnier before my mission,’” Rex said.

Meghan Whalen, a participant of the show, said she never imagined herself being put in the media spotlight. But after going through Rex’s show, she recommended the experience to others.

“I was so nervous and my friends had to talk me into it,” said Whalen, a sophomore from Malone, N.Y. “It took a lot of guts to do it but now I am able to say, ‘I did it!’”

She said it was a bit awkward to be on a blind date that was being filmed.

“I had to think a lot about what to say beforehand because I knew it would be recorded,” Whalen said. “The hardest thing was not to let the awkwardness bother me. I tried to be myself in front of the camera.”

Both Rex and Whalen said Utah is an interesting place when it comes to dating. Whalen said “NOTFD” is unique because its content is based on Utah dating styles and techniques. As Rex targets the Utah Mormon audience, local viewers will likely find a lot of connections with the show.

According to the show’s press release, preliminary screenings of “NOTFD” were shown in Provo and Los Angeles. Although the show was created for people immersed in Utah culture, Rex said he was surprised to learn of the huge response it received from those people living in Los Angeles.

"They loved it," Rex said in a press release. "They told me it was great because they felt like they were watching a bunch of junior high kids go out on dates."

The dating series will air starting Oct. 9 on KJZZ14 and will continue to air every Sunday night until Dec. 18. New episodes will be shown at 10 p.m., and the previous week's episode will be rebroadcast at 5 p.m.

Those interested in being on the show can sign up online at www.notonthefirstdate.net.



Copyright Brigham Young University 18 Oct 2005