'Romantically Challenged' at Saturn Feb. 14 offers Valentine's fun, laughs
Do you need a break from the madness of modern dating and relationships? Are you trying to think of a fun date for you and your sweetie this Valentine’s Day?
Birmingham event promoter Max Rykov may have your answer.
Rykov will present his Valentine’s Day game show event, Romantically Challenged — a live mashup of the classic television shows "Singled Out" and "The Newlywed Game" — at Saturn on Thursday, Feb. 14, at 8 p.m.
The event is in its sixth year. The first Romantically Challenged was held on Valentine's Day 2014 at the old Bottletree Cafe, according to Rykov.
Contestants include both singles and couples, as well as gay and straight people.
The deadline to apply to be a contestant in the show has passed, but it’s still great fun for audience members to sit back and watch the contestants interact, according to Rykov.
“I'm always impressed by the stage presence of the contestants and their ability to be funny and witty on stage,” Rykov said. “Win or lose, the contestants always have a blast, and definitely have a new favorite Valentine's Day memory. And it may actually be more fun for their friends, watching the hilarity ensue on stage.”
Winning contestants will receive gift certificates for dinner for two at some of Birmingham's best restaurants, according to Rykov.
Rykov will co-host the event along with local drag queens Sharon Cocx and Reese Eve Cocx, who have been part of Romantically Challenged since 2015.
Rykov will also be joined on stage by his co-organizer this year, Lindsey Christina, who also produces the monthly Art Crawl events downtown.
Rykov explained why he based the event this year on "Singled Out" and "The Newlywed Game.”
He called "Singled Out" his favorite TV dating show and said he remembered it fondly from watching MTV while he was growing up in the 1990s.
“It's a quirky, silly format and allows for a greater number of contestants than the ‘The Dating Game’ format we've used the previous five times we've done this event,” Rykov said. “I wanted to change it up this year.”
“‘The Newlywed Game’ is a classic format that always works and is consistently entertaining,” he said. “And it's the ultimate test of a relationship.”
The version of the game presented at Saturn is not just for actual newlyweds, according to Rykov.
“Any couples, no matter how long they've actually been together, can be on the show,” he said.
The event is for those ages 18 and older. Saturn is located at 200 41st St. S.
Tickets are $10 and can be bought at saturnbirmingham.com.