Jon hamm dating show

The concept of the Jon Hamm dating show

In 1996, a then-unknown actor by the name of Jon Hamm appeared on a dating show called The Big Date. The show was based on the premise that a single person would go on a date with three different people and then choose one of them to go on a second date with. The twist was that the potential dates were not able to see the person choosing them until after they had been chosen.

The show was hosted by Mark L. Walberg and aired on the USA Network. Hamm appeared on the show as a 25-year-old waiter, sporting a very different look than his suave, Mad Men persona. He had long, shaggy hair and a less-than-stylish outfit. Despite his appearance, Hamm's charm and sense of humor won him over with the female contestant, Mary.

The viral video that made the rounds years later

The episode featuring Hamm may have gone unnoticed for years had it not been for a viral video that made the rounds in 2010. The clip, which was uploaded to YouTube, showed Hamm's appearance on The Big Date and quickly went viral.

In the video, Hamm can be seen answering questions from the female contestant in his trademark smooth voice. When asked what he would do to woo her, Hamm responded, "Well, we'd start off with some fabulous food, a little fabulous conversation, with a fabulous foot massage for an evening of total fabulosity."

The video became such a hit that it even caught the attention of Hamm himself. During an appearance on The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson, Hamm joked about his appearance on the dating show, saying, "I was all hair and glasses and [I] said things like 'fabulosity.'"

Hamm's reaction to the video

Despite the attention the video received, Hamm has been open about his embarrassment over his appearance on The Big Date. In an interview with Vanity Fair, he said, "I was actually at a friend's house in L.A. when it happened randomly and I was like 'What is this?' It was just this weird thing where I was like 'Wow, I haven't seen that in a long time.' And it's just cringe-worthy."

Hamm has also said that he had no idea the episode even existed until the video went viral. He told Rolling Stone, "I had no recollection of it whatsoever. And then suddenly it's like 'Oh yeah, I remember doing that.'"

The legacy of the Jon Hamm dating show appearance

Despite his embarrassment over the video, Hamm's appearance on The Big Date has become something of a cultural touchstone. It has been referenced in TV shows such as 30 Rock and The Simpsons, and even inspired its own parody called The Rad Date.

In addition, Hamm's appearance on the show has become a source of inspiration for those who may feel embarrassed or ashamed of their past experiences. It serves as a reminder that even successful and attractive people have humble beginnings.