Garam Masala Dating Is Coming to Your TV Screen!

Korchula Productions is currently in discussions to adapt Garam Masala Dating for the small screen. The show’s creator is teaming up with the same filmmakers behind her previous scripted project to develop the concept. Surbhi and comedian Wyatt Feegrado, the core team behind Garam Masala Dating, are collaborating with Korchula Productions to transform the live dating show into an unscripted television series, building on a professional partnership that predates the live stage production.

The planned adaptation focuses on South Asian singles meeting in front of an audience, with Surbhi and comedian Wyatt Feegrado serving as hosts. The pair co-created the live show, where Surbhi also holds the title of executive producer. As of now, a formal television distribution deal has not been signed.

Korchula is widely recognized for the 2015 documentary Can We Take a Joke?, directed by Ted Balaker, which explored comedy and free speech and featured appearances by Gilbert Gottfried, Penn Jillette and Lisa Lampanelli. The duo also produced the 2017 drama Little Pink House, which starred Catherine Keener and was written and directed by Courtney Balaker.

The relationship between the production house and Surbhi dates back to 2016, following her attendance at a Washington, D.C. screening of Can We Take a Joke?. Her participation during the Q&A session sparked laughter and caught the eye of filmmaker Ted Balaker. Subsequently, he and Courtney Balaker began working with her under their production banner.

Their initial collaboration involved a scripted pilot inspired by her personal life, though development stalled due to the pandemic. This latest venture marks a return to television with a fresh approach: a comedy format that has already been proven as a live stage show.

The appeal of Garam Masala Dating lies in a premise that is instantly accessible to viewers. Two individuals meet, the hosts pose questions, and the audience observes as they attempt to gauge their chemistry. While the comedians guide the dialogue, the direction of the interaction is largely driven by the participants' own reactions.

Netflix's Indian Matchmaking, which spanned three seasons, demonstrated that global audiences are eager to watch South Asian families navigate the complexities of marriage. That show took a serious approach, led by a professional matchmaker. In contrast, Garam Masala Dating prioritizes comedy, features two stand-up hosts, and selects participants who are ready to find humor in the dating experience.

The live format offers a distinct advantage for adaptation: the audience grasps the premise immediately, without needing the rules spelled out. It features a first date, two hosts, and an engaged room of spectators. A television version would provide the opportunity to delve deeper into the participants' stories, moving beyond the highlights of a short clip.

"Nobody on our show is pretending this is how people should meet," says Feegrado. "It is a terrible way to meet someone. That is why it is fun to watch, and why a surprising number of them end up dating afterwards."

For Surbhi, this potential adaptation synthesizes various creative paths she has explored. Her previous pilot drew from her personal history, while her one-woman show translated her writing into live performance. Garam Masala Dating introduces a new challenge: building a sustainable series around individuals whose interactions are entirely unscripted.