In a remarkable piece of television history from the late 1960s, Maurice and Robin Gibb, the famous twins from the legendary band The Bee Gees, took their charm to the small screen in a 1968 celebrity edition of the hit dating show, The Dating Game. Both just 18 years old at the time, the brothers found themselves pitted not only against each other but also against one of the era’s most illustrious athletes, Don Schollander, a multiple Olympic Gold medal-winning and world record-holding swimmer. This unique episode offered a rare glimpse into the personalities of the young musicians before their skyrocketing fame.
The Dating Game, a popular show during the 1960s, allowed single contestants to blind-date potential partners by asking questions without seeing them. After the question and answer session, the bachelor or bachelorette selected one of the three mystery contestants for an all-expenses-paid date. On this particular episode, the stakes were high as the young sisters-from-the-crowd watched Maurice, Robin, and Don vie for the affections of a young woman named Debbie.
“I wanted them all!” Debbie, a theatre student who appeared on the show, confessed about her difficult decision choosing between the competitors, “but Maurice’s answers really caught my attention.”
Despite the presence of an Olympic champion, it was Maurice Gibb who ultimately won Debbie’s heart for the evening. Their date was arranged to take place in South Africa, a noteworthy setting that almost seemed destined to offer romance. However, real life works in mysterious ways; not long after, Maurice’s marriage to the singer Lulu in 1969 revealed that the televised meeting with Debbie was a fleeting encounter rather than the start of a lasting relationship.
“Watching those twin brothers compete lightheartedly was a true treat,” recalled television historian **Mary Ellen Jacobs**, “especially since it foreshadowed the complicated dynamics the Bee Gees would face in the years following.”
The episode was also emblematic of a crucial period in the Bee Gees’ history. At that time, the band was experiencing significant turbulence. Later in 1969, Robin Gibb would temporarily depart from the group, putting their future in question. Plans that were once in motion, such as starring in a feature film—an idea playfully referenced by the show’s host Jim Lange during the episode—collapsed amid the internal strife.
“The brothers’ rivalry on the show was lighthearted, but behind the scenes, those were very trying times for the group.” said **Peter Collins**, a longtime Bee Gees collaborator. “Robin’s temporary exit was painful, yet it was a pivotal moment that allowed the band to regroup stronger.”
Fortunately, this challenging time was relatively short-lived. By 1970, the Bee Gees reunited, reigniting their collaborative fires and embarking on new musical ventures. Their reunion led to the release of albums like 2 Years On and Trafalgar, which laid the foundation for their ultimate resurgence in the 1970s disco era. The brothers’ synergy would later give birth to iconic hits, including those featured on the legendary soundtrack for Saturday Night Fever.
“Seeing Maurice and Robin going head-to-head on a show like The Dating Game is fascinating because it humanizes them—their humor, charm, and youthful spirit before becoming global icons,” commented **Dr. Laura Bennett**, a pop culture professor who specializes in 20th-century music phenomena.
The 1968 Dating Game episode remains a charming time capsule reflecting the Bee Gees’ early days, their sibling camaraderie, and the competitive yet playful spirit between Maurice and Robin. It also immortalizes a moment when a celebrated Olympic athlete stood side-by-side with future music legends in pursuit of love, adding an unexpected twist to the rich tapestry of the band’s history.
