Karen Valentine recalls the bumpy path that led her to her award-winning role as a student-turned-teacher in the hit TV series Room 222. Catapulting her into stardom, the show, which last aired almost 50 years ago, remains a cherished memory for her. In contrast, her appearance on The Dating Game was an “awful” experience she prefers to forget.
Before becoming famous, celebrities like Suzanne Somers, Tom Selleck, Leif Garrett, and Farrah Fawcett appeared on The Dating Game, the first-ever dating reality show that spawned hundreds of similar concepts and acted as a launchpad for new actors. Karen Valentine was one of those stars. After appearing on Chuck Barris’ TV series Dream Girl of 1967, she was invited to be on The Dating Game, also created by Barris.
Valentine, a former teen beauty queen, interviewed three eligible bachelors hidden behind a dividing wall. Initially thinking the appearance would be “harmless fun,” she found the experience regrettable due to her “choice” of bachelor. She explained, “That was awful, because the guy thought this was really going to be a date, right? The Dating Game got more serious later where people would be sent on trips. I only got to go to the Ambassador Hotel to see a show, but the guy thought we were going to make out in the limo.”
Leaving that regret behind, Valentine was cast in the TV movie Gidget Grows Up (1969), which transitioned into her starring role in the hit TV series Room 222 (1969-1974). The avant-garde show centered around a black high school teacher, played by the award-winning Lloyd Haynes, who taught students to be tolerant. The show, created by James L. Brooks and produced by Gene Reynolds, earned significant acclaim, including Outstanding New Series at the Primetime Emmy Awards in 1970. Valentine and Michael Constantine, also known for My Big Fat Greek Wedding, both won supporting role awards.
“It was kind of mind-blowing to have that happen so soon, so quickly,” Valentine recalled about her first nomination and win. “And to meet Carol Burnett and her saying, ‘Well, congratulations for this.’ It was like, ‘Thank you.’ But that Carol Burnett would know me? Just incredible.”
Valentine also shared a memorable encounter with another legendary actor. “I remember I was taking singing lessons at the time, and I went to my singing class. Also taking lessons was Gregory Peck… When he walked by, I was at the teacher’s piano and he saw me through the window and kind of mimed, ‘You did it!’ I was like, ‘Oh my God. It’s Gregory Peck!’”
Despite initial success, Room 222 was canceled mid-season in its fourth season due to declining ratings. “Why things changed, I have no idea,” Valentine said, reflecting on the show’s abrupt end. “But they did have the wherewithal to give us the word that it was happening, and it was sad … well, it’s always sad, but especially when you feel you have a good product and a good show, for it to be taken away.”
After Room 222, Valentine starred in her own show, Karen (1975), which was created by Reynolds but was canceled after four months due to low ratings. The show featured “controversial political stories that were a savvy, humoristic reflection of then-current headlines,” but network changes softened its original premise.
Valentine’s career continued with stage roles, semi-regular appearances on The Hollywood Squares (1971-1977), and guest roles on TV shows like Murder She Wrote and The Love Boat. Her last film was Wedding Daze (2004), co-starring with John Larroquette, and broadcast on the Hallmark Channel.
Looking back on Room 222, Valentine holds only fond memories: “Working with all of those people, and to have that kind of experience first time out–the show just brings back the fondest and best memories in the world to me.” She adds, “…It also kind of spoiled me because it set the bar really high. So when other things come to you, you think, ‘What is this?’ It was different, you know. But I was fortunate that I did get material that was pretty fun and well done.”
If you’re a fan of Karen Valentine, what’s your favorite show or movie that she starred in? Share your thoughts in the comments!
