Watch The Proposal

The Proposal is a unique dating reality show that premiered on ABC in 2018. Hosted by former NFL quarterback Jesse Palmer, the show is produced by Mike Fleiss, who is also responsible for the hugely successful franchise, The Bachelor. The premise of the show is that a male or female contestant is given the opportunity to select a potential mate from ten suitors who are hidden from view. The hopeful makes their selection based solely on the contestants' answers to a series of questions that they are asked. This first round is called "The First Impressions". The ten suitors are then revealed to the hopeful who then has to choose eight of them to take part in what is known as "The Beachwear Round."

During the Beachwear Round, the hopeful has to ask more probing questions and listen carefully to the responses to determine which four they want to progress to the next stage - the "Hometown" Round. The Hometown Round gives the contestant a chance to see where each of the four remaining suitors are from and have a look at their family home. This helps the hopeful see what life would be like with each suitor.

However, the real twist is that the hopeful's final decision is based on one final question: "Will you marry me?" which the hopeful will ask before the final suitor is revealed. Yes, you read that right - the hopeful has to choose whether they will propose marriage to one of the final two remaining suitors after just a hour-long show.

Of course, given the short amount of time they have to get to know each other, some of the relationships don't work out. But for those who do, there is a dramatic and emotional engagement. Michael Neely, the show's expert, helped to provide background checks and verify that the hopeful and their chosen suitor were fully committed to the relationship before they could go public.

The show makes for entertaining viewing, with drama, tears and, on occasion, love. Adding to the entertainment are the comments and reactions from the rejected suitors, who are usually pretty unhappy about their experience on the show. Despite — or perhaps because of — the show's outlandish premise, it has attracted a growing audience over the years.

There were criticisms levelled at the show for promoting a speedy and superficial approach to finding love. The format of the show that compressed the entire dating process into a single hour-long episode felt rushed and was thought not to be in keeping with how real-life relationships and engagements develop.

However, the show was praised for its efforts to be inclusive and diverse in the selection of contestants. The first season of the show saw its fair share of contestants from various races, ethnicities, body types, and sexual orientations. This is a refreshing change at a time when representation in media and entertainment is a major issue.

Overall, despite the criticism, The Proposal was an interesting addition to the dating reality show genre. However, in late 2018, the show was cancelled following allegations of sexual misconduct levelled against the show's creator, Mike Fleiss. While it was a short-lived show, it has given its audience some entertaining and dramatic moments, and for that, it will be remembered.