英闻天下——462 Finding your Soulmate on TV Dating Shows

 　　A blind date is often arranged by a mutual¹ acquaintance of both participants; whether that person is a friend of both persons or a family member of one. The two persons who take part in the blind date have never met or seen each other, hence the name blind date.

 

　　But in recent years, private blind dates have moved to TV.

 

　　Luo Ke is a participant on a dating show named "Let's Date," which aired on Hunan TV. He explains why he chose to take part in this kind of show.

 

　　"I came to participate because I don't know a lot of people. I think the program is a good opportunity for me to show myself and broaden my social circle. "

 

　　As dating shows in China become more popular, many people have started to question the morality, reality and truthfulness² of the shows. Many people are also skeptical⁴ about the motivations of those who participate. Xie Qi, one such skeptic³, explained why she is put off by the concept of TV dating shows.

 

　　"For me, I don't accept these dating shows, because the participants are willing to be in the spotlight⁵ in some aspect. Meanwhile, when they are on stage, they do not act as they would in real life. Maybe they just do things to improve the look of the program. I cannot imagine how participants could get to know each other in just a few seconds. That's too fast."

 

　　However, as far as Luo's concerned, he doesn't think self-promotion is such a bad thing.

 

　　"I don't think it's a publicity⁶ stunt⁷. If you know how to carry out self-promotion, this means you already know how to introduce yourself to others. It's like doing business; you have to know how to sell the goods. "

 

　　Facing such questions and doubts, Ma Xiaohan, the director of "Let's Date," says the program wants more ordinary people to participate rather than help people become famous.

 

　　"The dating shows are a platform for ordinary people to find their perfect partners. In order to prevent some people from taking advantage of the show to get famous, we have implemented⁸ strict rules. We sign agreements with each participant; they take responsibility to be honest about themselves, and we also carry out investigations⁹ into each of them and get to know their motivations. If they have participated in other dating shows, we won't allow them to participate."

 

　　Chen Xi, a media analyst¹⁰, says that finding partners on TV dating shows will probably become a new trend.

 

　　"I think it's feasible that the form of marriage has changed from a private institution to a public one. The information needed to find the right person nowadays is spread about everywhere. If the authenticity¹¹ of dating shows isn't a problem, including that of the participants, then more people will want to take part in them."

1 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

2 truthfulness   

n. 符合实际

参考例句：

• Among her many virtues are loyalty, courage, and truthfulness. 她有许多的美德，如忠诚、勇敢和诚实。
• I fired a hundred questions concerning the truthfulness of his statement. 我对他发言的真实性提出一连串质问。

3 skeptic   

n.怀疑者，怀疑论者，无神论者

参考例句：

• She is a skeptic about the dangers of global warming.她是全球变暖危险的怀疑论者。
• How am I going to convince this skeptic that she should attention to my research?我将如何使怀疑论者确信她应该关注我的研究呢？

4 skeptical   

adj.怀疑的，多疑的

参考例句：

• Others here are more skeptical about the chances for justice being done.这里的其他人更为怀疑正义能否得到伸张。
• Her look was skeptical and resigned.她的表情是将信将疑而又无可奈何。

5 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

6 publicity   

n.众所周知，闻名；宣传，广告

参考例句：

• The singer star's marriage got a lot of publicity.这位歌星的婚事引起了公众的关注。
• He dismissed the event as just a publicity gimmick.他不理会这件事，只当它是一种宣传手法。

7 stunt   

n.惊人表演，绝技，特技；vt.阻碍...发育，妨碍...生长

参考例句：

• Lack of the right food may stunt growth.缺乏适当的食物会阻碍发育。
• Right up there is where the big stunt is taking place.那边将会有惊人的表演。

8 implemented   

v.实现( implement的过去式和过去分词 )；执行；贯彻；使生效

参考例句：

• This agreement, if not implemented, is a mere scrap of paper. 这个协定如不执行只不过是一纸空文。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The economy is in danger of collapse unless far-reaching reforms are implemented. 如果不实施影响深远的改革，经济就面临崩溃的危险。 来自辞典例句

9 investigations   

（正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究

参考例句：

• His investigations were intensive and thorough but revealed nothing. 他进行了深入彻底的调查，但没有发现什么。
• He often sent them out to make investigations. 他常常派他们出去作调查。

10 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

11 authenticity   

n.真实性

参考例句：

• There has been some debate over the authenticity of his will. 对于他的遗嘱的真实性一直有争论。
• The museum is seeking an expert opinion on the authenticity of the painting. 博物馆在请专家鉴定那幅画的真伪。