Karen Valentine, known for her role in the popular television series Room 222, has fond memories of working on the show that kickstarted her career. However, her experience on another popular show, The Dating Game, was far from enjoyable. In fact, she remembers it as an “awful” experience.
The Dating Game was the first dating reality show, featuring celebrities like Suzanne Somers, Tom Selleck, Leif Garrett, and Farrah Fawcett, before they became well-known. It also served as a platform for aspiring actors, like Valentine herself.
After appearing on Chuck Barris’ television show Dream Girl of 1967, Valentine was invited to participate in The Dating Game. As a former winner of teen beauty pageants, she was excited to talk to three eligible bachelors behind a wall. Initially, she thought it would be harmless fun.
But things took a turn for the worse when one of the men assumed it was a real date. According to Valentine, the guy expected them to make out in the limo, while she had simply planned to go to the Ambassador Hotel to catch a play. It was clear that their expectations were not aligned.
Even though Valentine won a prize of dinner and concert tickets, the man took it more seriously than she did. She realized that The Dating Game was not for her, and she wanted to focus on pursuing acting or other opportunities instead.
Fortunately, Valentine’s luck turned around when she found work in the 1969 television film Gidget Grows Up. This eventually led to her landing the leading role in the highly popular TV series Room 222, which aired from 1969 to 1974. In the show, Valentine’s character worked alongside award-winning actor Lloyd Haynes to promote tolerance among high school students.
Room 222 was met with critical acclaim, but unfortunately, it was canceled mid-season during its fourth season due to dwindling viewership. Valentine was disappointed when she received the news, as she believed the show was a wonderful production. However, she appreciated that the network informed the actors about the cancellation and understood that they had to make difficult decisions.
Following the cancellation of Room 222, Valentine starred in another series called Karen in 1975. However, the show was short-lived due to poor ratings. Nevertheless, Valentine remained optimistic, viewing the show’s concept as innovative for its time. She continued to build her career by guest starring on other popular shows like The Hollywood Squares, Murder She Wrote, and The Love Boat.
Despite the ups and downs in her career, Valentine cherishes the memories she made while working on Room 222. The show not only launched her career but also allowed her to collaborate with talented individuals. Reflecting on those experiences, she admits that it set a high standard for her future endeavors.
Karen Valentine’s career has been filled with various roles, but Room 222 holds a special place in her heart. She feels fortunate to have been a part of the show and to have worked with incredible people.
