Interview by Lori Bizzoco. Written by Jessica Gomez.
If you’re a fan of reality TV, then you are probably a fan of SallyAnn Salsano, the television producer behind popular series like Jersey Shore, Party Down South, and Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party. Lucky for you, we have the behind-the-scenes scoop on her latest show Hear Me, Love Me, See Me, straight from Salsano herself! In our exclusive celebrity interview, Salsano opens up about the new TLC series, which premiered Saturday, March 3rd, and also reveals why she believes The Bachelor franchise has such staying power.
Celebrity Interview with Reality TV Producer SallyAnn Salsano
The 495 Productions executive tells us that she loves the concept of Hear Me, Love Me, See Me, a unique dating show where women who are looking for love meet three different men and get to know them through live streaming. Think about it: “You date someone for a long time. Then, you meet their friends and family. Then, you learn about their job,” Salsano explains. “It takes so long to get to the bottom of all of that.” The idea behind the new TLC show is that people don’t need to spend months and years getting to know one another before they decide the person isn’t right for them.
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On each episode of Hear Me, Love Me, See Me, a woman dates three different men without meeting them. Each guy wears a camera and shows off their daily life — you see their friends and family, their hobbies, and so much more. It’s interactive because the audience gets to play along as well. By the end of the episode, the woman often picks someone she usually wouldn’t have dated. Salsano says that the show concept received great feedback when she shopped it around to the networks.
With this type of dating process, from the very beginning, the women can see what their relationship will potentially look like. As our founder and executive editor, Lori Bizzoco explains, “Everyone has a checklist and a type — which is what makes this show work in a different way from others. Here, women are forced to look beyond their must-haves and truly consider the man they’re dating.”
There are three episodes filmed so far with tentative plans for more, depending on the viewers’ response. There is also a possibility to take the show outside of the United States and even reverse the roles with men looking for love. What a twist!
In addition, to Hear Me, Love Me, See Me, Salsano is working on Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, a reunion show that she first mentioned to us over a year ago. Fans can expect to see exactly what they’ve been missing: the entertaining dynamic of the cast, finally together again on television. Of course, until the premiere date — Thursday, April 5th on MTV — Salsano couldn’t reveal much, but she guarantees it will be fun to watch. It’s also “100 percent of what producers were looking for” — which says a lot!
As if that’s not enough, Winter Break: Hunter Mountain premieres on Friday, March 16th on MTV2. It’s not a typical relationship show, the television producer explains. “It’s like Jersey Shore on ice. The dating, the hook-ups, the sex, the make-ups — the drama on this show is ridiculous,” she shares in our celebrity interview. “What goes on between that cast — the intermingling — I’ve never seen that before. It’s such a fun, twisted turn of events.” Thanks to that introduction, we can’t wait to watch!
Salsano first got her start working on The Bachelor. With the dramatic finale of season 22, we had to ask for her thoughts on the popularity of the franchise. After so many seasons, she believes that the people on the show have become more normal, more real. “It’s candy. Everyone can relate to it,” she explains. “Everyone’s been that girl; everyone’s dated that guy, and everyone’s had their heart broken. It’s like a version of Fantasy Football for women.”
With a plethora of shows and ideas in her back pocket, we cannot wait to see what Salsano will be working on next!
Don’t miss the next third installment of Hear Me, Love Me, See Me on TLC, airing on Saturday, March 17th at 10 p.m. EST.
