Woman of the Hour: Where is Real Rodney Alcala from Dating Game Killer?

Hey true crime fans! Let’s dive into the chilling story of Rodney Alcala, the infamous Dating Game Killer, and the woman who unwittingly chose him on national TV. Grab your popcorn, because this is one wild ride!

Who was Rodney Alcala?

Rodney Alcala, born Rodrigo Jacques Alcala on August 23, 1943, was a seriously creepy dude. He wasn’t just your average criminal – this guy was a full-on serial killer and sex offender. Yikes!

  • Killed at least 8 people (maybe up to 130!)
  • Appeared on “The Dating Game” TV show in 1978 (during his killing spree!)
  • Nicknamed “The Dating Game Killer”
  • Died in prison on July 24, 2021, at 77 years old

What did Rodney Alcala do?

Alcala was a real-life monster. He would:

  1. Lure victims by offering to take their photos
  2. Strangle them until they passed out
  3. Wait for them to wake up
  4. Repeat the process several times 😱
  5. Finally kill them

Police called him a “killing machine.” Can you believe this guy was walking around free?

How did he end up on The Dating Game?

Here’s where things get super weird. In 1978, smack in the middle of his murder spree, Alcala appeared as a bachelor on the TV show “The Dating Game.” And guess what? He won!

Alcala charmed his way onto the show, using his good looks and smooth-talking skills. The producers had no idea they were putting a killer on stage. It’s like something out of a horror movie, right?

Who is Cheryl Bradshaw?

Cheryl Bradshaw was the bachelorette on that fateful episode of “The Dating Game.” She chose Alcala as her date, not knowing he was a serial killer. Talk about a close call!

Cheryl was just a regular person looking for love on a fun TV show. She had no idea she was about to come face-to-face with one of the most dangerous men in America.

Did Cheryl Bradshaw go on a date with Alcala?

Thank goodness, no! Cheryl got major creepy vibes from Alcala after the show and refused to go on the date. Smart move, Cheryl!

Imagine how different things could have been if she’d gone through with it. Cheryl’s instincts might have saved her life that day.

Where is Cheryl Bradshaw now?

After her brush with the Dating Game Killer, Cheryl Bradshaw kept a low profile. She moved away from California and started a family. Not much is known about her life today, and can you blame her?

Some people say she changed her name and disappeared completely. Others think she might still be out there, living a quiet life away from the spotlight. What do you think happened to Cheryl?

What’s this new Netflix movie about?

“Woman of the Hour” is a new Netflix movie that tells this wild story. Here’s the scoop:

  • Directed by Anna Kendrick (yep, the actress!)
  • Kendrick also plays Cheryl Bradshaw
  • Focuses on the victims, not just Alcala
  • Shows how dangerous it can be for women around creepy men

The movie tries to imagine what it was like for Cheryl and the other women who crossed paths with Alcala. It’s a fresh take on a story we thought we knew.

Why should we care about this story?

This case is a real eye-opener:

  1. It shows how easily predators can hide in plain sight
  2. Reminds us to trust our gut feelings
  3. Highlights how the system often fails victims
  4. Makes us think about the role of media in glorifying criminals

The Alcala case is more than just true crime entertainment. It’s a warning about the dangers that can lurk behind a charming smile.

How did Alcala finally get caught?

After years of evading justice, Alcala’s luck finally ran out. Here’s how it went down:

  • In 1979, he killed 12-year-old Robin Samsoe in California
  • Robin’s friend helped create a sketch of the suspect
  • Alcala’s parole officer recognized him from the sketch
  • Police searched his mom’s house and found evidence linking him to other murders

It took way too long, but Alcala was finally off the streets for good.

What was Alcala’s “signature”?

Every serial killer has their own sick way of doing things. Alcala’s was extra twisted:

  • He’d pose his victims like dolls
  • Took tons of creepy photos (over 1,000!)
  • Sometimes kept earrings as trophies 🤢

These details helped link him to multiple murders across different states.

Did you know?

  • Alcala had over 1,000 creepy photos of women and kids
  • He was super smart (but used his brains for evil)
  • Some people compare him to Ted Bundy
  • He acted as his own lawyer in court and even questioned himself on the stand!
  • Alcala worked as a typesetter for the Los Angeles Times for a while

How has this case affected pop culture?

The Dating Game Killer story has fascinated people for years:

  • Multiple TV shows and documentaries have covered it
  • It’s been featured on true crime podcasts
  • Now there’s a big Netflix movie about it
  • The case has changed how we think about reality TV and background checks

Alcala’s story is a reminder that sometimes truth is stranger (and scarier) than fiction.

That’s the tea on Rodney Alcala and the real Cheryl Bradshaw! What do you think about this crazy story? Does it make you look at dating shows differently? Drop a comment and let’s chat!