NBC's new reality series Ready for Love is going to "revolutionize" televised dating shows, co-hosts Giuliana and Bill Rancic tell The Hollywood Reporter.
"It's going to do for dating shows what The Voice did for the music genre," Bill says. "It's just so different; there's nothing like it. [Giuliana and I] found true love, and the fact that we were able to assist in the process and help others fall in love is great."
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The series -- which debuts at 9-11 p.m. Tuesday, following The Voice -- features three bachelors trying to find their soul mate. The men -- Ben Patton, an international financier from Dallas; Tim Lopez, a member of the music group Plain White T’s from Austin, Texas; and Ernesto Arguello, an entrepreneur with a social vision from Miami -- were handpicked by executive producer Eva Longoria.
Meanwhile,the 36 women who will be vying for their affections were chosen by matchmakers, not producers. Helping the trio of guys find their perfect matches will be matchmaker Amber Kelleher-Andrews, relationship author Tracy McMillan and professional dating coach Matthew Hussey.
The Rancics say this adds another level of authenticity to the men's search for love.
"I think what makes it very unique is that there are three renowned matchmakers who went through the submissions for these guys," says Giuliana, who recently landed on THR's 2013 Reality Heat List. "They got to know these guys very well and what needs are and only brought to the playing field the women that they felt really were great matches for these guys, whereas in some of the other dating shows, these women show up and they're only seeing the guy for the first time, and probably half the woman are like, 'No, he's not for me.' We're starting from a very different place."
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Bill adds that he was impressed by the three men, whom he calls "amazing."
"They are the kinds of guys I'd fix my sister up with if my sister were single," he says.
The series begins with the matchmakers’ nationwide search for the potential perfect mate for each man. From the 36 women, they will each select a team of 12 (four per bachelor). To be selected, the women will have to convince one of the three matchmakers that they're a true fit and feel a real connection with one of the men. Once selected, each matchmaker team will live in a different house where they will receive personalized advice and mentoring.
At the end of each week, everyone will appear on a stage in front of a live audience to watch the dates and receive feedback from the matchmakers. The women who fail to make a connection will be sent home. The finale will find the three men choosing their final three women, who together must decide if they’ll get engaged, married or "simply live happily ever after."
Giuliana says that throughout taping, producers weren't interested in hyping up the drama.
"A lot of dating shows are looking for the crazy girls," she says. "They chase the drama, the scandal and the crazy, but this isn't that. This is chase the love, the authentic connection. In love, there's enough drama; you don't need to fabricate it."
For his part, Bill says that even he and Giuliana -- who have been married since 2007 and also star in a Style reality show, Giuliana & Bill, that's heading into its sixth season -- actually learned some things from the relationship professionals.
"We found it to be really educational, when they were offering tips and guidance on why you should do this or that," he says. "We're happily married and wrote a book on marriage [the New York Timesbest seller I Do, Now What?], but even we thought, 'Wow, this is pretty interesting.' I think viewers will walk away with bits of knowledge they can use in their own relationships."
Ready for Love is produced by Longoria’s UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, Renegade 83 and Universal Television. In addition to Longoria, Jason Ehrlich (The Bachelor), Greg Goldman (Secret Millionaire), David Garfinkle (Blind Date) and Jay Renfroe (Blind Date) are executive producers.
