However at least 25 daytime episodes survive, including one with John Ritter as the bachelor from 1967. The remaining versions of the show, which were made for ABC prime-time and for syndication, are assumed to exist in their entirety.After the version finale in 1980, The Dating Game with the repeats of the 1978-1980 version was seen on Los Angeles TV Station KHJ-TV (now KCAL-TV) Channel 9 from September 26, 1983 to September 12, 1986, as well as some other cities.Play continued until time expired, after which the bachelor/bachelorette gave their choice.In several weeks of episodes that aired at various times throughout the season, another format was used.

Jim Lange hosted The Dating Game for its entire ABC network run and the 19 syndicated editions.

Serial killer Rodney Alcala's episodes were shown during his murder spree and after he had been convicted of rape in California.

Some contestants appeared even after they were fairly well known, including a young Michael Jackson, Dusty Springfield, Ron Howard, Maureen Mc Cormick, Barry Williams, Sally Field, Henry Morgan, Richard Dawson, Jay North, and Paul Lynde.

One standard trademark was that at the end of each episode, the host and winning contestants would blow a kiss to the viewers.

Generally the bachelorette would ask questions written in advance on cards to each of the three hidden bachelors.