The Chilling Story Of Rodney Alcala: 5 Shocking Facts About The Dating Game Killer Episode
The true-crime world continues to be captivated and horrified by the story of Rodney Alcala, a prolific serial killer who achieved a brief moment of national fame as a contestant on the popular television show, The Dating Game. This bizarre intersection of lighthearted entertainment and monstrous depravity occurred at the height of his murder spree, creating one of the most chilling footnotes in American criminal history. As of
The infamous episode serves as a stark reminder of the hidden darkness that can lurk behind a charming facade. Alcala, with his seemingly harmless photographer persona, was actively hunting and murdering young women while answering playful dating questions on national television. His appearance was not a coincidence—it was a calculated move by a predator seeking attention and potentially new victims.
Rodney James Alcala: A Brief Profile of The Dating Game Killer
Rodney James Alcala, born Rodrigo Jacques Alcala, would earn the grim moniker "The Dating Game Killer" after his 1978 television appearance and subsequent conviction for multiple murders. His criminal history began long before his game show stint, marking him as a calculated and long-term predator.
- Full Name: Rodney James Alcala (Born Rodrigo Jacques Alcala)
- Aliases: John Berger, John Burger, The Dating Game Killer
- Date of Birth: August 23, 1943
- Date of Death: July 24, 2021 (Aged 77)
- Cause of Death: Natural causes while on California’s death row at Corcoran State Prison.
- Confirmed Convictions: Convicted of the murders of seven individuals, including 12-year-old Robin Samsoe, Jill Barcomb, Georgia Wixted, Charlotte Lamb, and Jill Parenteau.
- Estimated Victims: Investigators fear his true victim count could be as high as 130, based on the thousands of photographs of women and children found in a storage locker.
- Key Timeline Event: Appeared on The Dating Game in 1978, between the murders of several of his confirmed victims.
The Infamous 1978 Episode: Bachelor Number One’s Dark Victory
The episode of The Dating Game featuring Rodney Alcala, which aired in September 1978, remains one of the most disturbing pieces of archival television. At the time, the show was a cultural phenomenon, a seemingly innocent platform for singles to connect. The reality, however, was far more sinister.
The Contestant and the Creepy Vibe
The bachelorette for the episode was Cheryl Bradshaw. She was tasked with choosing one of three bachelors based solely on their voices and answers to a series of playful, often suggestive, questions. Alcala, introduced as "Bachelor Number One," presented himself as a successful photographer with a charming, albeit slightly odd, sense of humor.
His answers, in retrospect, carried a dark undertone. When asked what he was called "the most," he responded, "A fun guy." When asked about his favorite activity, he described "making love" and said, "I’m a good sport, and I’ll try anything."
Cheryl Bradshaw’s Near Miss
Despite the unsettling nature of his responses, Alcala's smooth delivery and witty banter were enough to win the date. Cheryl Bradshaw ultimately chose Bachelor Number One. However, the story took a crucial, life-saving turn immediately after the show's taping.
Upon meeting Alcala face-to-face backstage, Bradshaw felt an immediate sense of dread. She reportedly told the show’s producers that she found him "creepy" and refused to go on the scheduled date with him, an instinct that likely saved her life. This decision highlights the powerful, sometimes inexplicable, intuition that can warn people of danger.
The episode aired to the public without anyone knowing the man on screen was a convicted sex offender who was actively kidnapping, raping, and murdering women across California and New York.
The Lingering Legacy: How the Episode Led to His Downfall
While the 1978 episode was a terrifying near-miss for Cheryl Bradshaw, it became a key piece of evidence in Alcala’s eventual capture and conviction. The nickname "The Dating Game Killer" stuck, but the footage itself played a more direct role in the investigation.
The Case of Robin Samsoe
In 1979, the year after Alcala’s television appearance, 12-year-old Robin Samsoe was kidnapped and murdered in Huntington Beach, California. Alcala was a suspect in her case. When police released a sketch of a man seen with Samsoe, a talent coordinator who had worked on The Dating Game recognized the sketch as Alcala.
A re-run of the infamous episode, or at least the public knowledge of his appearance, helped solidify the link between the charming game show contestant and the brutal serial killer. The subsequent investigation led to a search of Alcala’s storage locker, which contained the most damning evidence of all.
The Photographer’s Trophies: Thousands of Photos
The storage locker revealed a horrifying collection: over 1,000 photographs of women, children, and teenage girls, many in sexually suggestive or bound poses. Investigators believe these photos were of Alcala’s victims and potential victims, giving him a macabre "trophy" collection. This discovery dramatically expanded the scope of the investigation, suggesting he was one of the most prolific serial killers in American history, with victims spanning multiple states.
The photos became a crucial tool for law enforcement. Over the years, police have released batches of the images in an effort to identify the individuals in them, leading to the identification of additional victims and providing closure to families decades later.
Recent Media and the Continued Fascination
The story of Rodney Alcala continues to resonate, not just as a cautionary tale but as a deep dive into the psychology of a charming predator. The recent focus on his crimes has been driven by new media projects.
The Anna Kendrick Film: Woman of the Hour
The 2023 film Woman of the Hour, directed by and starring Anna Kendrick, brought the chilling story back to the forefront. The movie focuses intensely on the experience of Cheryl Bradshaw and the pivotal moment when she chose Alcala, highlighting the sheer terror of unknowingly interacting with a serial killer on a public stage. The film's release has spurred a new wave of interest in the case, particularly among a generation unfamiliar with the original 1970s event.
The End of the Killer’s Reign
Rodney Alcala was convicted and sentenced to death multiple times over the decades, a process complicated by appeals and legal maneuvers. His final chapter closed on July 24, 2021, when he died of natural causes at age 77. While his death ended the legal battles, it did not erase the trauma he inflicted. The ongoing effort to identify the women and children in his photographic collection ensures that the investigation and the memory of his victims continue. The story of the charming Bachelor Number One on The Dating Game remains a powerful, terrifying example of how evil can hide in plain sight.
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