Mr. Personality

Mr. Personality is an American reality television series broadcast by the Fox Broadcasting Company (Fox). The series premiered on April 21, 2003, and concluded with its fifth episode on May 19, 2003. Filmed in Malibu, California, the series followed Hayley Arp, a 26-year-old stockbroker, as she selected a suitor among a group of twenty men. In an effort for Arp to select her suitor solely based on personality, all of the men were required to wear color-coded latex masks throughout the competition. Arp eliminated a predetermined amount of suitors each week until only one remained; upon selection of a final suitor, Arp was allowed to remove his mask and see his appearance. The series was hosted by American media personality Monica Lewinsky.[1]

This article is about the television show. For the song, see Mr. Personality (song). For the American R&B vocalist, see Lloyd Price.
Mr. Personality
A logo for the American television series Mr. Personality, featuring white letters over a black backdrop; a silhouette of a mask is in place of the letter "o"
GenreReality television
Presented byMonica Lewinsky
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes5
Production
Executive producers
Production locationMalibu, California
Running time1 hour
Production companyNash Entertainment
Release
Original networkFox
Original releaseApril 21 (2003-04-21) –
May 19, 2003 (2003-05-19)

Mr. Personality was a part of Fox's intent to capitalize on the burgeoning success of the reality television genre. The series was given unfavorable reviews by critics, who derided the series' concept and the casting of Lewinsky as the host. The series premiered with strong ratings, however, they waned over the course of the season; the two-hour finale was condensed into a one-hour episode as a result of subpar ratings. Since the series' end, several producers and contestants have voiced their regret over Mr. Personality.

Format
Refer to caption.
Bachelorette Hayley Arp (center-left) and host Monica Lewinsky (center-right) surrounded by Arp's masked suitors

Filmed in Malibu, California, the series depicted a competition among a group of 20 men for the opportunity to date Hayley Arp, a 26-year-old stockbroker from Georgia. Arp was required to select a partner from the group solely on the basis of personality. In order to do so, the men were required to conceal their appearance through wearing color-coded latex plastic masks. The men wore their masks throughout the entire competition, with the exception of one-on-one dates with Arp that were set in a dark room; during these dates, the men were permitted to remove their masks so that Arp could feel their faces. Arp eliminated a contestant each week, until only one man remained. The series was hosted by American media personality Monica Lewinsky.

Production

Lewinsky, who had become well known due to the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal, was asked by Fox to host the series in hopes that she would attract more viewers.[1]

The masks were designed by American costume designer Tina Haatainen-Jones.[2] The network asked Haatainen-Jones to create "a mask without any personality" that still allowed the men the ability to easily speak.[3] Haatainen-Jones believed the show sounded "stupid", although she accepted the work due to her status as a freelance artist.[3] In an effort to make the masks unique, Haatainen-Jones crafted them to be reminiscent of a sculpture with a beaten metal appearance.[3] Haatainen-Jones crafted a total of 40 masks, 30 of which were metallic and 10 of which were various colors.[3] The network additionally asked Haatainen-Jones to craft a "chastity mask", which was bound by leather straps and a padlock. As a result, the mask could only be removed with a key that the network entrusted Haatainen-Jones with.[3] The contestants did not know about the masks until they arrived in Malibu for filming; contestant Brian Karalus stated that he believed the masks were "ridiculous".[3]

Episodes
No.TitleOriginal air dateUS viewers
(millions)
1"Episode 1"April 21, 2003 (2003-04-21)12.2[4]
Bachelorette Hayley Arp arrives to Malibu, where she meets her 20 masked suitors. After attending a masquerade ball, Arp is required to eliminate 10 suitors from the competition.
2"Episode 2"April 28, 2003 (2003-04-28)7.9[5]
Arp goes on two separate group dates with the suitors, one sailing and the other to a winery. Arp is required to eliminate four suitors from the competition.
3"Episode 3"May 5, 2003 (2003-05-05)6[6]
Arp must eliminate two suitors from the competition.
4"Episode 4"May 12, 2003 (2003-05-12)7[6]
Arp goes on one-on-one dates with the remaining four suitors.
5"Episode 5"May 19, 2003 (2003-05-19)11.4[7]
Arp consults her family as she makes a decision between the final two suitors.

Reception

Lisa de Moraes of The Washington Post referred to the series as "A whole bottle of Stupid Pills."[8]

Ratings

Mr. Personality premiered to over 12 million viewers; at the time, it was the highest viewed premiere of a new reality television show in 2003.[9]

References
  1. Schneider, Michael (March 19, 2003). "Lewinsky adds 'Personality' to Fox". Variety. Archived from the original on January 23, 2003. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  2. Bonin, Liane (April 21, 2003). "We answer Mr. Personality burning questions". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  3. Gaillot, Ann-Derrick (August 21, 2018). "Revisiting the Monica Lewinsky-Hosted Dating Show That Was Too Weird to Work". The Outline. Archived from the original on July 26, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  4. Lowry, Brian (April 23, 2003). "'Mr. Personality' proves attractive". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 26, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  5. Silverman, Stephen (May 7, 2003). "'CSI,' 'Idol' Topple Sweeps Specials". People. Archived from the original on February 26, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  6. "Episode List: Mr. Personality". TV Tango. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  7. Kissell, Rick (May 20, 2003). "Fox, CBS finales top Monday". Variety. Archived from the original on April 5, 2020. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  8. de Moraes, Lisa (April 18, 2003). "For 'Mr. Personality' Fans, an Early 'View' of Monica". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 25, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  9. Carter, Bill (April 23, 2003). "'Mr. Personality,' featuring Monica Lewinsky, draws the young audience of advertisers' dreams". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 21, 2011. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
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