TV Dating Show to Seek Contestants

Ready to meet your match? Mark Walberg, host of the new USA Network game show “The Big Date,” is coming to Ventura on Sept. 5 to hunt for contestants.

In conjunction with the Bombay Bar and Grill and The Bus-96.7 radio station, the show’s producers will host auditions for single men and women between the ages of 21 and 50 who want to appear on the half-hour comedy series.

The show brings singles together with the hope of sending them away as couples.

“ ‘The Big Date’ is big fun,” said Howard Schultz, the show’s executive producer.

“It’s the only show on TV where both men and women get an equal shot at hooking up with someone they like.”

Two winners will be selected and guaranteed a spot on the television show.

They will go on to have a chance at a weekly drawing for a seven-day trip to Jamaica.

The auditions will begin at 4 p.m. at the Bombay Bar and Grill, 143 S. California St. Sign ups will be held until 8 p.m., and the finals--officiated by Walberg--will get underway at 10 p.m.

For more information call (213) 468-1283.