Karen Valentine, best known for her role in the hit TV series Room 222, recently shared some captivating stories from her early career. From her award-winning role as a student-turned-teacher in Room 222 to a not-so-pleasant experience on The Dating Game, Valentine reflects on the ups and downs of her journey in the entertainment industry.
Before they became famous, celebrities like Suzanne Somers, Tom Selleck, Leif Garrett, and Farrah Fawcett made appearances on the groundbreaking dating show, The Dating Game. Karen Valentine, a former teen beauty queen, found herself on The Dating Game after appearing on Chuck Barris’ TV series, Dream Girl of 1967. Valentine admits that she thought her time on the show would be “harmless fun,” but it turned out to be quite a different experience.
The guy she chose as her potential date had different expectations for the show. While The Dating Game eventually evolved to sending couples on trips, Valentine’s experience was far from glamorous. She 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.” This disappointing encounter made her realize that she wanted to pursue acting and distance herself from the world of dating shows.
Thankfully, 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 focused on a black high school teacher, played by Lloyd Haynes, who tried to cultivate tolerance among his students.
Created by James L. Brooks, the genius behind The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Taxi, and produced by Gene Reynolds, one of the minds behind MAS*H, Room 222 received critical acclaim. In 1970, the show won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding New Series, and Karen Valentine herself won the Best Supporting Actress award, along with fellow actor Michael Constantine.
Valentine describes the nomination and win as “mind-blowing” and fondly reminisces about meeting the legendary Carol Burnett and Gregory Peck, who supported her early career.
Unfortunately, Room 222 came to an end after its fourth season. Although the show received praise from critics, ratings began to decline, resulting in its mid-season cancellation. 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 challenging to come across projects that could measure 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 has been 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 remarkable performances in Room 222 and other timeless shows and movies.
