5 Chilling Facts About Cheryl Bradshaw And The Dating Game Killer That Inspired 'Woman Of The Hour'
The story of Cheryl Bradshaw is one of the most chilling and fascinating true crime narratives to re-emerge in recent memory, especially in late 2024 and early 2025 following the release of the hit Netflix film, Woman of the Hour. This article, updated on December 21, 2025, delves deep into the terrifying moment in 1978 when a young woman's intuition saved her from a date with one of America’s most prolific serial killers, Rodney Alcala.
The core of the story revolves around the September 13, 1978, episode of the popular game show The Dating Game, where Los Angeles drama teacher Cheryl Bradshaw unknowingly selected "Bachelor Number One," a man who was, at that very moment, actively preying on young women. The new film, starring and directed by Anna Kendrick, has reignited global curiosity about the real-life contestant and the harrowing fate she narrowly avoided.
The Known Biography and Profile of Cheryl Bradshaw
Cheryl Bradshaw is a figure shrouded in intentional privacy, a choice made after her brush with a monster became a notorious piece of American true crime history. Her profile is largely defined by the single, fateful television appearance that changed the course of her life.
- Full Name: Cheryl Bradshaw (Her full legal name is not widely publicized due to her desire for privacy).
- Occupation: She was a drama teacher in Los Angeles, California, at the time of her appearance on The Dating Game.
- The Fateful Date: September 13, 1978, the air date of the Dating Game episode featuring her and Rodney Alcala.
- The Choice: She chose Bachelor Number One, Rodney Alcala, who was introduced as a photographer.
- Post-Show Life: Following the episode, she reportedly left California to live a private life and raise a family, maintaining a low profile for decades.
- Current Status: According to statements from Anna Kendrick, the star of the Netflix film Woman of the Hour, the real Cheryl Bradshaw sadly passed away before the film's production began.
The Chilling 1978 Episode: When Comedy Met a Killer
The 1978 episode of The Dating Game, hosted by the charismatic Jim Lange, is a historical artifact that is deeply unsettling to watch today. The format of the show involved a bachelorette, Cheryl Bradshaw, asking questions to three hidden bachelors to choose one for a chaperoned date.
The Contestants and the Red Flags
Cheryl Bradshaw’s three potential suitors that day were Jim Starace (Bachelor #2), Jed Mills (Bachelor #3), and Rodney Alcala (Bachelor #1). Alcala, a convicted sex offender who had a history of violence dating back to 1968, managed to charm his way onto the show as a way to meet women.
Alcala's answers during the segment, in retrospect, were deeply disturbing. When asked what he would call his ideal date, he replied, "I’m a banana, and I’m going to peel you." He also described himself as a "love slave" and stated his favorite time of day was "twilight," which he described as "a beautiful time, and sometimes I feel a little lonely."
Despite the eerie nature of his answers, or perhaps because of the show's format encouraging risqué humor, Cheryl ultimately chose Bachelor Number One, Rodney Alcala, for the winning date.
Why Cheryl Bradshaw Canceled the Date
The true turning point in this story, and the reason Cheryl Bradshaw is considered a survivor, came after the cameras stopped rolling. When she met Rodney Alcala backstage, her initial excitement turned into immediate discomfort and a powerful gut feeling.
Contestant coordinator Ellen Metzger later recalled that Bradshaw's enthusiasm for Alcala became "pretty lukewarm" after they met in person. The film Woman of the Hour highlights this moment, emphasizing that Bradshaw found Alcala "creepy" and "smarmy." She followed her intuition, a decision that saved her life, and refused to go on the planned date with Alcala.
Rodney Alcala: The Dating Game Killer's Reign of Terror
Rodney Alcala's appearance on *The Dating Game* was not a one-off event; it was a brazen move in the middle of a brutal crime spree. His life, which ended in 2021 while he was on death row, is a dark chapter in American true crime history.
A Prolific and Sadistic Predator
Alcala was a convicted sex offender long before his television appearance, having been convicted in 1972 for the rape and beating of an 8-year-old girl. By 1978, he was actively killing, and his victims were primarily young women.
He was convicted in 2010 of five murders in California, including the 1977 murder of 18-year-old Jill Barcomb, whose body was found in the Hollywood Hills. However, authorities believe his true victim count could be as high as 130, spanning multiple states, including New York and Washington.
The Photographic Evidence
A key piece of evidence in the case was the discovery of a storage locker belonging to Alcala, which contained over 30,000 photographs of women, children, and teenage boys. Many of these individuals were believed to be his potential victims, and the public release of the photos led to the identification of several more victims and provided a terrifying glimpse into the mind of the serial killer.
Cheryl Bradshaw's appearance on *The Dating Game* is a stark reminder of the danger that lurked beneath a veneer of normalcy in the late 1970s. Her split-second decision to trust her gut remains a powerful, life-saving act of intuition that continues to resonate with audiences today.
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