Viewers it seemed, either loved or hated the first episode of Blind Date Ireland.
It’s safe to say the dating scene has changed completely since millions of viewers tuned in to the original version of Blind Date hosted by Cilla Black back in the day, but there was always likely to be plenty of interest in the Irish version of the show, which kicked off on TV3 on Sunday night.
And the first episode of the new series, with Al Porter at the helm, certainly generated a reaction, even if it wasn’t a universally positive one.
Viewers watched Dionne from Cork choose between Gary from Kilkenny, David from Dublin and Keith from Kildare, an impersonator of Keith Flint from The Prodigy in his spare time.
A little later on, meanwhile, Gary from Tallaght was tasked with selecting between Jennifer from Meath, Niamh from Leixlip and Ciara from Blanchardstown as his date for the evening.
What do you think of our happy couple, Jennifer and Gary? Will love blossom? Find out when Blind Date continues next Sunday at 9pm on TV3 pic.twitter.com/aBGWeQUyEj
— Virgin Media Television (@VirginMedia_TV) October 8, 2017
Unlike the restaurant setting of First Dates, for example, Blind Date was an altogether livelier affair, which made for plenty of entertaining moments and more than a fair share of incidents that would make one cringe in horror at the television.
"Oh the cringe!" 😘😘😘#BlindDateIRL continues next Sunday at 9pm on TV3. pic.twitter.com/zJR5Yn2ug2
— Virgin Media Television (@VirginMedia_TV) October 8, 2017
Even viewers cringing at what they were seeing couldn’t switch it over, it seemed, and we’re sure there will be plenty tuning in for more of the same next week.
Here’s a flavour of the reaction the show generated on social media on Sunday night.
https://twitter.com/fergmcfadden/status/917131240666525696
Let’s have more of @TheAlPorter presenting anything before he is stolen for foreign soil! #BlindDateIRL
— Aoibheann McCaul (@AoibheannMcCaul) October 8, 2017
Can you actually die from cringing? #BlindDateIRL
— Minister for Spuds at the Dept of Bacon & Cabbage (@FCTwenteBenson) October 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/Davydoesdublin/status/917119356668178432
https://twitter.com/foxymm12/status/917119162975182848
https://twitter.com/ainemm91/status/917125104307523584
https://twitter.com/hollyshortall/status/917133138018611200
I cant stop laughing and cringing #BlindDateIRL
— Emma (@Sunshine_Emma) October 8, 2017
Can we just all agree blind date Ireland is the worst piece of television ever made? #BlindDateIRL
— Marta Olink (@olinkidink) October 8, 2017
@TheAlPorter I'm definitely watching #BlindDateIRL with alcoholic beverages next week. Best hour of fun on a Sunday night on ages.
— John Patterson (@johnpaterson29) October 9, 2017
Funny & nostalgic with all the nastiest in the world right now @TV3Ireland @BlindDateIRL lovely escape on a Sunday evening💗 #BlindDateIRL
— Dawn Leadon-Bolger (@Dawnesme) October 8, 2017
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