Wanderlust (TV series)

Wanderlust is an Irish dating game show produced by RTÉ contractor Tyrone Productions. Hosted by Brendan Courtney.

Format

There are 3 rounds to the show. In the first round the contestants are asked a world question (generally relating to the country they will visit in Round 3), the ten contestants are allowed used the Internet to find the answer (which at the time was fairly new) and the fastest 2 contestants would move on to Round 2. In Round 2 the contestants would chat online to guys or girls in other countries. Of the 3 Blind dates the contestants would choose 1 to meet with in their home country. In round 3 The Contestants would spend a weekend away in the country of the person the choose to go on the date with.

Production

The series was both a travel and a dating show. While the contestants would go on their dates, the host Brendan Courtney would visit the sites of the city they were visiting and recommend places to eat and visit. Flight price and details from any of the major Irish Airports to the destination were also provided. Brendan's catch phrase was "I've a fiver in me hand and a fiver in me pocket, and I'm going to the airport, and I'm going like a rocket".

Popularity

The series aired for two seasons on Monday Nights on Network 2 (now RTÉ 2). The format was sold to 11 countries.^[1] The series had an average of 200,000 viewers.^[2] The Irish series aired on Living TV in the UK.

Cancellation

The series ended in 2002 after RTÉ choose not to renew the show for their 2003 line. Brendan Courtney was moving to other RTÉ shows, such as Treasure Island, and he also moved to the UK for some TV work.

References