After a four-year hiatus, First Dates has returned to our TV screens to remind us all how awkward first dates can be, as we all vicariously cringe through these painful dinners.
The dating reality show that matches strangers on first dates, which first began airing in 2016, returned to Channel Seven on Tuesday night for an anticipated new season. The premiere episode of First Dates has already stirred controversy among viewers for the inclusion of 23-year-old Tyler, who introduced himself as a ’10 out of 10′ model who hasn’t found a woman ‘on his level’ to date.
Matched with a 27-year-old nurse, Kristal, Tyler began the date by asking, “Would you ever be a housewife?” To this, Kristal promptly replied, “No. No, I need to work.”
He then suggested that Kristal ‘hadn’t found a partner’ because she wanted to work. When Kristal opened up about her goal to own her own house, Tyler replied “What if a man can do that for you?” YIKES.
Tyler tries again… with Kierra?
As the date continued, Tyler did not drop the point that if Kristal didn’t ‘need’ to work as a nurse, would she be open to just being a housewife? Kristal maintained that she wanted to be ‘independent’.
“You don’t need to be independent, why?” he actually asked. “If she’s an independent woman, what do you need me for?” Tyler vented in a confessional before calling his mate to complain even more about her being “an independent woman”.
The server asked Kristal if she saw any red flags in Tyler, but she claimed she only saw “green flags”. Where were they, sis?
Their date ended with Tyler questioning Kristal further. “Why would a man want to put effort into a woman who is independent?” he asked, before telling the producers they wouldn’t be going further.
Bizarrely, the episode concluded with Tyler cracking on with a different First Dates contestant, Kierra, who was more interested in a housewife life, and they sealed the impromptu date with a kiss.
First Dates viewers react to Tyler “The model”
First Dates viewers have taken to social media to slam Tyler’s archaic views of women. In one comment on Instagram with over 2,000 likes, one man wrote: “On behalf of all men, we do not claim this thing.”
“This can’t be a real person,” added another.
In comments on the First Dates Facebook page, one viewer wrote, “OMG this guy is as fun as a funeral.”
“He is giving magician vibes,” joked another, adding “This is not a compliment.”
Other viewers raised concerns with the sexist double standard in Tyler’s stance. “I’d like to see his reply if someone ever asked him if he’d like to be a househusband or not! Cracking a smile won’t hurt either mate!” one wrote.
“I’d [have] got up and walked out,” added one viewer.
“Bro’s been listening to too many podcasts….,” quipped another, making a clear reference to the “Manosphere”.
WHO has reached out to Channel 7 for comment on Tyler’s controversial views, but a spokesperson declined to comment.
Tyler from First Dates vs Tyson from Married at First Sight
Parallels can be clearly drawn between Tyler on First Dates and MAFS Australia 2026 intruder, Tyson Gordon, with several viewers saying that they were immediately reminded of the controversial groom
As you may recall, Gordon caused extreme backlash earlier this year after telling his partner, Stephanie Marshall, he wanted a “submissive” wife.
During the honeymoon, he said he wanted “someone who is submissive”, and his comments fed into a broader argument about gender roles, including the idea that men should be the “provider and protector” rather than take on a stay-at-home-dad role.
Like Tyler, Tyson’s version of a “traditional relationship” seemed to mean a wife didn’t have a normal job, and instead stayed home to cook and clean. Tyson later tried to walk it back on 60 Minutes, saying “submissive was the wrong word” and insisting he didn’t want a wife “on a leash” or “locked up” in the kitchen.
Either way, it sounds like if a man’s name starts with ‘Ty’ on reality TV then girl, run!
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