Karen Valentine, the beloved star of the hit TV series Room 222, recently shared some interesting anecdotes from her early career. With an award-winning role as a student-turned-teacher, Valentine holds a special place in her heart for Room 222. However, she also opens up about a less than pleasant experience on The Dating Game.
Before they became famous, celebrities like Suzanne Somers, Tom Selleck, Leif Garret, and Farrah Fawcett appeared on the groundbreaking dating show, The Dating Game. This show not only spawned countless similar concepts but also served as a launching pad for many aspiring actors. Karen Valentine, a former teen beauty queen, found herself on The Dating Game after appearing on Chuck Barris’ TV series, Dream Girl of 1967 (also created by Barris). 
Valentine recalls how she thought her appearance on The Dating Game would be “harmless fun,” but it turned out to be an “awful” experience. The guy she chose as her potential date had different expectations for the show. While The Dating Game evolved later to send couples on trips, Valentine’s experience was far from glamorous. She confesses, “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.” She quickly realized that she wanted to pursue acting and leave behind the world of dating shows.
Fortunately, Karen Valentine’s career took a positive turn when she was cast in the TV movie Gidget Grows Up (1969), which eventually led to her starring role in Room 222 (1969 to 1974). Room 222 was a groundbreaking show that showcased a black high school teacher, played by Lloyd Haynes, as he tried to instill tolerance in his students. 
Created by James L. Brooks, the mastermind behind The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Taxi, and produced by Gene Reynolds, one of the developers of MAS*H, Room 222 received critical acclaim. In 1970, the show won the Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding New Series, and Karen Valentine herself won for Best Supporting Actress, along with fellow actor Michael Constantine. Valentine describes her nomination and win as “mind-blowing” and fondly remembers meeting the legendary Carol Burnett and Gregory Peck, who cheered her on in her early career.
Sadly, Room 222 came to an end in its fourth season. Although critics praised the show, ratings declined, leading to its cancellation mid-season. Reflecting on this, Valentine says, “You feel you have a good product and a good show, for it to be taken away. But in the end, the network made the decision to go in a different direction.” Despite this setback, Valentine went on to star in her own show, Karen (1975), and remained a recognizable face in the entertainment industry through appearances on The Hollywood Squares and guest spots on popular shows like Murder She Wrote and The Love Boat. 
Looking back, Valentine expresses her gratitude for the experience of working on Room 222. “The show just brings back the fondest and best memories in the world to me,” she says. However, with such early success, it’s no surprise that Valentine found it difficult to come across projects that could match up. Nevertheless, she feels fortunate to have worked on fun and well-done material throughout her career.
Karen Valentine’s journey in the entertainment industry is one filled with ups and downs, but her talent and perseverance have made her a beloved figure in television history. As fans of Valentine, we can continue to enjoy her performances in Room 222 and other timeless shows and movies.
