The Complete Love Connection Episode Guide: 3 Eras, 3 Hosts, And Over 2,100 Dates That Shocked TV

Jan 10, 2026 • minute read

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The television landscape has been forever changed by the simple, yet explosive, premise of the dating game show. Few series embody this cultural shift quite like Love Connection, which has spanned three distinct eras, captivating millions of viewers as contestants recounted their often disastrous, sometimes romantic, blind dates. As of the current date, December 20, 2025, the show remains a fascinating piece of pop culture history, especially following the recent news of original host Chuck Woolery's passing in late 2024, prompting a renewed interest in the thousands of episodes that defined the franchise.

From the syndicated classic that ran for over a decade to the modern, often raunchy, Fox network revival, the episodes of Love Connection offer a candid, and frequently hilarious, time capsule of dating norms across four decades. The show’s massive catalog—totaling over 2,148 episodes across all iterations—is a testament to the timeless curiosity we all share about what happens when two strangers are left alone for a first date, and whether the connection is worth a second try.

Andrew Joseph Cohen: The Host of the Modern Love Connection

The most recent and buzzed-about iteration of the series was hosted by television personality and Bravo executive, Andy Cohen. His signature playful, sometimes mischievous, interview style brought a fresh, modern sensibility to the classic format, making him the perfect choice to introduce the show to a new generation of digital dating audiences. Cohen's career trajectory is as noteworthy as the dates he oversaw on the show.

Full Name: Andrew Joseph Cohen
Date of Birth: June 2, 1968
Place of Birth: St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Education: Boston University (B.A. in Broadcast Journalism)
Career Start: Cohen began his career in television as an intern at CBS News, quickly rising through the ranks to become a producer.
Major Career Milestones: He served as an executive producer at Bravo, overseeing hit reality franchises like The Real Housewives. He is most famous for hosting the late-night talk show, Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, which he also executive produces.
Love Connection Role: Host of the Fox revival (2017–2018).
Notable Achievements: First openly gay host of an American late-night talk show. He is also a best-selling author and radio host.

The Three Eras of Love Connection: A Total Episode Count Breakdown

To truly appreciate the legacy of Love Connection, one must look at its three distinct eras. Each host brought a unique energy and reflected the dating culture of their time, contributing to the show's impressive episode count.

1. The Classic Era: Chuck Woolery (1983–1994)

The original run, hosted by the smooth and charismatic Chuck Woolery, defined the dating game show genre for a generation. Woolery’s engaging manner made him a beloved figure, and his recent passing in November 2024 brought a wave of nostalgia for these classic episodes.

Run Time: 1983–1994 (11 seasons)
Host: Chuck Woolery
Approximate Episode Count: The original syndicated series, combined with the Pat Bullard run, produced approximately 2,120 episodes. The sheer volume of content made it a daytime television staple.
Format: Contestants chose one of three potential dates based on videotaped profiles. The date occurred off-camera, and the main contestant then returned to the studio to recount the experience to Woolery and the studio audience. The audience would vote on whether the couple should go on a second date.
Cultural Impact: The show was a cultural phenomenon, credited with being one of the first to truly focus on the post-date "tell-all" and giving contestants a platform to openly, and sometimes brutally, critique their dates. It was a massive success, leading to 29 marriages, 8 engagements, and 15 children by 1993, according to Woolery.

2. The Brief Revival: Pat Bullard (1998–1999)

A short-lived attempt to revive the show in the late 1990s featured comedian Pat Bullard. While it maintained the core format, it failed to capture the same spark as the original.

Run Time: 1998–1999 (1 season)
Host: Pat Bullard
Approximate Episode Count: The episodes from this run are generally counted within the 2,120 total of the classic syndicated series.
Format Change: This version included a slight twist, allowing viewers to help vote for a second date, trying to leverage the emerging interactive television trend.

3. The Modern Era: Andy Cohen (2017–2018)

The most recent version, airing on FOX, was a high-gloss, primetime update that leaned heavily into Cohen’s ability to elicit shocking and candid details from his guests. It was a clear attempt to bring the show's core premise—the brutally honest date recap—to the reality TV generation.

Run Time: 2017–2018 (2 seasons)
Host: Andy Cohen
Total Episode Count: The revival produced 28 to 30 episodes. Season 1 had 16 episodes, and Season 2 had 14 episodes.
Format: The core structure remained, but the interviews were more explicit, often focusing on the sexual chemistry (or lack thereof) and the drama of modern dating, including digital communication. The show also made history by featuring same-sex couples for the first time.

The Most Memorable and Scandalous Episodes of the Revivals

The Andy Cohen revival, though brief, produced some of the most memorable and candid episodes in the show's history, perfectly capturing the awkwardness and unpredictability of dating in the 21st century. Cohen's willingness to delve into the nitty-gritty details made for must-watch television.

The Episodes That Broke New Ground

One of the most significant changes in the Cohen revival was the inclusion of LGBTQ+ singles, a departure from the strictly heterosexual pairings of the original series. This was a crucial step in modernizing the dating game show format.

The First LGBTQ+ Episode: The show featured openly lesbian single Liz, who was a self-proclaimed "gateway drug for straight girls." This episode was a landmark moment for the franchise, bringing diverse dating experiences to a major network.
"Don't Go Bacon My Heart" (Season 1, Episode 1): The premiere episode of the revival set the tone for the season, showcasing the high production values and Cohen's sharp, probing interview style.

The Dates That Went Horribly Wrong

The true joy of Love Connection has always been the dates that crash and burn in spectacular fashion. These episodes are the ones viewers remember and continue to search for online.

The Late Date: An episode from Season 2 featured a contestant named John who was so dramatically late for his date that it became a major focal point of the post-date discussion, highlighting the frustration and disrespect that can kill a connection before it starts.
The Flirtatious Contestant: Several episodes featured contestants who seemed more interested in flirting with the host than their actual dates. In one memorable Season 1 episode (Episode 14), a contestant named Valarie told Andy that he could be her husband if her dates didn't work out, a moment that Cohen handled with his characteristic wit.

The Enduring Legacy of Love Connection Episodes

Despite the Andy Cohen revival concluding in 2018, the show’s legacy continues. The episodes, both old and new, serve as a cultural mirror, reflecting how people met, dated, and judged each other over the decades. The core entities that made the show a success—the blind date, the post-date recap, and the audience’s vote—remain relevant in an era dominated by dating apps and curated online profiles.

The original Chuck Woolery episodes, now easily accessible on platforms like YouTube, are enjoying a resurgence, providing a nostalgic look at 1980s and 1990s fashion, social norms, and dating etiquette. Meanwhile, the Cohen episodes offer a modern, sometimes shocking, take on the same old human desire for connection. Whether you prefer the classic charm of Woolery or the modern snark of Cohen, the Love Connection catalog, spanning over 2,100 episodes, offers an endless supply of dates that were either a match made in heaven or a disaster waiting to happen.

The show’s longevity proves that no matter the decade, the most entertaining part of a first date is always the debriefing.

The Complete Love Connection Episode Guide: 3 Eras, 3 Hosts, and Over 2,100 Dates That Shocked TV

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