Chuck Barris was the creator and producer. He liked to choose hosts from radio because radio people were fast thinkers and good ad-libbers. Plus, Jim Lange had an outstanding voice. You had to be fast with the original "Dating Game." The show was known for titillating questions and answers from contestants, and it was up to the host to keep the show on track-- but still keep that naughty quality.
Lange told Bay Area Radio Digest that "good radio is still the most fun." Before retiring, Lange was doing a morning show on a San Francisco big band station.
Jim Lange was 81.
