This new Bravo reality dating show premiered in January 2008. The Millionaire Matchmaker follows the matchmaking dating business of Patti Stanger who sets up millionaire single male clients with hot beautiful women. Essentially the men qualify for the service based on their bank accounts, where the women qualify based on their looks.
Who is Patty Stanger?
Patty Stanger founded the Millionaire's Club in January 2000 in Los Angeles to cater to wealthy men. It appears that Stanger was previously a Marketing Director for Great Expectations, a dating service in the United States.
How much does it cost?
According to the New York Post "Finding the love of your life doesn't come cheap: a membership for a California millionaire who doesn't want to travel for love is $15,000, while a man who wants a nationwide search pays $25,000. International memberships cost $100,000 while billionaires who demand constant personal attention pay $150,000. The men featured in the show received free matchmaking"
Some things that pissed me off:
*The episode where a prospective millionaire client has not called back Patty Stanger's assistang because his mother is in the hospital. Patty freaks out at the assistant and insists on calling this man even though he is clearly going through a rough time
*I just watched an episode where this guy proposed to a gal he was set up with through the Millionaire Matchmaker after just one date. Uh, hello, does anyone else think this is friggin nuts and this behavior should not be encouraged.
*A guy has a really great first date with a woman Patty has set him up with. Her advice: Buy her jewelry when you see her for the next date. Hmm, I guess some people still believe in trying to buy love.
So lets say you are not a millionaire and can not afford these fees? Well you still have a lot of options. There are dating services (example :Great Expectations, Perfect Match,) that allegedly prescreen clients and will charge you anywhere from $1,000 to $30,000 or more to set you up on dates.
Ok, but lets say you dont want to shell out that kind of cash? You can check out online personal ads which range from free (plentyofFish, OkCupid, LongIslandPersonals to pay sites such as Match.com, American Singles, and Yahoo).
If you want to get out from behind the computer, maybe you want to give speed dating a chance. You can go on mini dates to see if there is any chemistry without being locked into a long term date at the beginning (example: Long Island Speed Dating)
