Drew Barrymore has joined NBC’s Ellen DeGeneres-produced dating show “First Dates” as the narrator.
Based on the UK format, “First Dates” explores the experience of a first date — the promise of potential love when it goes well and the hilariously awkward moments if it crashes and burns. The alternative series follows a variety of real first dates happening throughout one night at the same restaurant in Chicago. The daters are of all ages, backgrounds and from across the country. The audience will be along for the ride in a viewing experience that plays like a real-life romantic comedy and at the end of each episode, it will be revealed if participants want to see each other again for a second date. Coincidentally, Barrymore starred in the 2004 Adam Sandler pic titled, “50 First Dates,” though there’s no correlation between the NBC series and the film.
Narrating “First Dates” is the latest step in Barrymore’s growing television work. The actress recently signed on to star in a Netflix comedy “Santa Clarita Diet,” alongside Timothy Olyphant, and she’s also set to guest star in Bravo’s scripted comedy “Odd Mom Out.”
Warner Bros.-based Shed Media is producing “First Dates” with “Twenty Twenty” and DeGenereres’ “A Very Good Production.” Other exec producers are Pam Healey (“Who Do You Think You Are?”), John Hesling (“Top Gear”), Anthony Dominici (“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”), Jeff Kleeman (“Little Big Shots”) and Twenty Twenty’s Tim Carter.
No premiere date has been set for “First Dates,” which landed an eight-episode order. Production begins this July.
