Amidst the date show craze of late, which has spawned such creative “gems” as “Blind Date,” “Dismissed” and “The Fifth Wheel,” it seems natural to go back to the original matchmaking game show ? “The Dating Game.”

Today at noon, Sacramento State?s UNIQUE Programs will resurrect “The Dating Game,” a treasured piece of Americana, in the University Union Redwood Room, with a few departures from form. Sacramento radio station KZZO “The ZONE?s” Shawn Cash and Jeff Jensen will replace the ever-so-suave original host, Jim Lange, with an air of craziness that only two goofy disc jockeys can produce. As hosts of one of Sacramento?s most popular morning programs, they entertain thousands of people with their outrageous comedy and irreverent wit.

“If you can?t get a date on Valentine?s day,” said UNIQUE Programs? Bill Olmsted, “then come out and see someone who can.”

This will be the duo?s third year of hosting the show, and past shows have been sheer madness when the radio personalities clashed with contestants.

The participants are chosen prior to the show and none of the relationships will be pre-arranged. When the mates have been chosen, the couples will receive prize packages, which can include such goodies as lift tickets, movie passes and CDs. If the bond they formed is not enough to sustain their relationship, they can take their prizes separately.

The show is free and will run for 30 to 45 minutes. Like the original series, there will be two rounds; one for ladies and one for men. Contestants will answer a series of grueling questions to arouse passion in their unseen object of desire, who will be concealed behind a wall.

“We?re suckers for that,” Olmsted said. “Watching people get all mushy.”