Karen Valentine, the beloved actress known for her award-winning role as a student turned teacher in the hit TV series Room 222, reflects back on her career and shares some memorable experiences. Despite her success on Room 222, she admits that her appearance on The Dating Game was an “awful” experience. Let’s dive into Valentine’s story and the path that led her to stardom.
The Dating Game and Early Beginnings
Before they became household names, celebrities like Suzanne Somers, Tom Selleck, Leif Garret, and Farrah Fawcett made appearances on The Dating Game. As the first-ever dating reality show, it not only launched the careers of many actors but also paved the way for countless similar shows in the future. Karen Valentine, fresh off her appearance on Chuck Barris’ TV series Dream Girl of 1967, was invited to be a contestant on The Dating Game, which Barris also created. 
An Unfortunate Date on The Dating Game
Valentine, a former teen beauty queen, thought her appearance on The Dating Game would be “harmless fun.” However, she soon discovered that her choice to participate would make it a terrible experience. The contestant she was paired with had different expectations, mostly because the show had become more serious with contestants going on romantic trips. Valentine recalls, “The guy thought we were going to make out in the limo, and it was like, ‘You know this is a first date, right?’ It was so sleazy. I wanted to get out of the date and focus on my acting career.” Despite the unpleasant experience, Valentine left The Dating Game behind to pursue more significant opportunities.
From Gidget Grows Up to Room 222
Karen Valentine’s career took off when she was cast in the TV movie Gidget Grows Up in 1969. This role led to her starring role in the hit TV series Room 222, which aired from 1969 to 1974. The groundbreaking show, created by James L. Brooks and produced by Gene Reynolds, revolved around a black high school teacher striving to teach tolerance to students. 
Accolades for Room 222
In 1970, Room 222 gained recognition at the Primetime Emmy Awards, winning the title of Outstanding New Series. Valentine, along with Michael Constantine, who later gained fame in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, won awards for their supporting roles. Reflecting on her first nomination and win, Valentine said, “It was mind-blowing to have that happen so soon. Meeting Carol Burnett and receiving her congratulations was just incredible. Who would have thought that Carol Burnett would know me?”
Fond Memories and Challenges
While Room 222 brought early success for Valentine, the show’s ratings declined during its fourth season, leading to its cancellation. Valentine remembers feeling disappointed when the network broke the news to the cast. She said, “It’s always sad when you feel you have a good product and show, and it’s taken away. But the network made the decision to go in a different direction, as they always say.” Despite the setback, Valentine went on to star in her own show, Karen, but it lasted only four months due to low ratings.
Karen Valentine’s Career Continues
Valentine continued her acting career after Room 222, appearing in stage productions and making guest appearances on popular TV shows like Murder She Wrote and The Love Boat. She also became a semi-regular on The Hollywood Squares from 1971 to 1977. Her last film, Wedding Daze, co-starring John Laroquette, was broadcast on the Hallmark Channel in 2004. 
Cherishing Room 222 and Beyond
Looking back on her career, Valentine holds fond memories of her time on Room 222. She cherishes the experience and the incredible people she had the opportunity to work with. However, she admits that it also set the bar high for future projects. Valentine says, “Working with all those people and having that kind of experience as my first show brings back the fondest and best memories. It spoiled me in a way because it was such a unique and exceptional show. But I was fortunate to have worked on other fun and well-done projects.” 
As we reminisce on Karen Valentine’s career, we can’t help but appreciate her talent and the impact she had on television. Whether it’s Room 222 or her other memorable performances, Valentine’s charm and skill continue to captivate audiences to this day.
