EVAN CARAVELLI/Arizona Daily Wildcat Chris de Barros, a media arts senior, is the writer, director and editor of "Tucson for 2," a dating show that takes UA students on dates around Tucson. Barros said many people think there is nothing to do in Tucson, but his show proves that there are plenty.

Program gives a new outlook on 'hooking up'

A new reality dating show called "Tucson for 2" is redefining the term "cheap date."

The show gives students a chance at love, and local Tucson businesses advertisements in exchange for free dinner, bowling and car rental services for their dates.

Producer Chris de Barros, who directs, writes and edits the show, came up with the idea to prove to people that there are things to do in Tucson.

"I have heard many people claim there is nothing to do in Tucson, but there is. Tucson has a lot of art, sightseeing and many local attractions," said de Barros, a media arts senior.

This show is completely different from any other show on the air because it's exclusively for Tucson audiences, he said.

Unlike other dating shows, which host their dates at locations most viewers are unfamiliar with, de Barros hopes this show will give the audience a better insight into what Tucson has to offer.

"I like the fact that I'll be able to watch the show and then get ideas for my future dates," said Matt Beller, an aerospace and mechanical engineering sophomore.

Joyce Wong, a theatre arts junior who hosts the show, said everything is paid for, and if you are one of the contestants, you get a chance at three free dates. If you compete, you still get a free date, she said.

"The show is funny. You get to watch people make fools out of themselves, see how they act in different situations and get to see what Tucson has to offer," Wong said.

Joy Allanson, a contestant who had three guys fighting for her attention, said she loved the dates because she would have never thought of them.

"The show was so fun, and I've already seen two of the guys from the show around campus, which is pretty cool," said Allanson, a retail and consumer sciences sophomore.

Raphe Wolfgang, who was one of the guys fighting for Allanson, said he joined the show because he thought it would be a good time.

"If I had another chance to be on the show, I would do it all over again," said Wolfgang, a media arts senior.

"Tucson for 2" is a show in which the main character gets to choose one of the three contestants.

The main character meets contestant A at a location in Tucson. Then the main character moves on to date two with contestant B. After meeting contestants A and B, the main person gets to either choose one of the two or go for contestant C, also known as the "mystery man."

De Barros said "Tucson for 2" will provide audience participation because the viewers will know, or have a chance to know, which one of the first two contestants the main person had a better time with, and they will also know the appearance of the mystery contestant.

The show airs Thursdays at 10 p.m., on UA's channel 76.