Shopping for Love

Shopping for Love is an Australian television program.

Airing at 10.30pm on Wednesday nights on the Nine Network, it is hosted by Pete Lazer [http://www.petelazer.com] and Andi Lew [http://www.andilew.com] and premiered on December 4, 2005. Its concept is a reality show, whereby a contestant is chosen (both a male and a female) with two potential dates. Based on a review of the contestant's household, the potential date goes shopping at department stores and has a time limit to purchase products which it feels will most suit their date. The contestant finally chooses their partner based on a compatibility percentage and other factors, and the contestant takes his chosen partner on a date, to which they reveal details of on the show.

The show features product placements from companies such as Virgin Credit Cards.

Locations

The show is filmed at Chadstone Shopping Centre and the Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex in Melbourne.

Criticism

The show has critics and fans. Although some claim it was "scolded by Critics and viewers alike" the programs' ratings suggest this is not entirely accurate - the program regularly won its timeslot. The first season ran its allocated 10 episodes, scheduled in a latenight slot due to its frankness in discussing the sexual antics of contestants. A second season was given the go ahead, and screened in Australia in the summer of 2006/2007.

While some found the commercial sponsorship in the show amounted to "a half hour advertisement", sponsor spots such as contestant prizes would not be out of place in most tv game shows. Some called it "cheap and tacky", whilst others felt the production values were consistently high. The program was made with Digital widesceen pictures and a Dolby Digital sound mix.