Network: CTV Television Network
Broadcast Run: 1976 to 1977
Broadcast Medium: Television
Alan Thicke’s first series appearance on CTV, after appearing in and writing a couple of sitcoms for the CBC, was as the host of this half-hour daytime strip game show. The Newlywed Game had been on the air for ten years when First Impressions was developed, and obviously was the inspiration for this new – and, as it turned out, far less successful – effort.
Each program featured a panel of three couples, who were asked Newlywed-Game-type questions about each other – but the twist was that the couples had only been introduced just before the show, and had to base their answers solely on their first impressions of their designated partners. The couple who got most matching answers were declared the winners.
What sounded like a good idea proved not to make much of an impression on the viewing public. The format didn’t build to any kind of exciting climax, and some of the questions were embarrassing rather than enlightening. First Impressions was produced at CFCF-TV in Montreal; it played daily at 10:00am Monday through Friday on CTV in the 1976-77 season.
Written by Pip Wedge – November, 2003