When Bee Gees Twins Maurice and Robin Gibb Went Head-to-Head on The Dating Game in 1968
In a fascinating blast from the past, fans of the legendary Bee Gees might be surprised to learn that twins Maurice and Robin Gibb once appeared as celebrity contestants on the popular 1960s dating show, The Dating Game. Both brothers were just 18 years old at the time, stepping outside the music studio and into the TV spotlight for a unique challenge: to win the heart of a hopeful single while competing not only against each other but also against an Olympic Gold medalist.
The episode, which aired in 1968, featured the Bee Gees’ Maurice and Robin pitted against Don Schollander, a renowned American swimmer who held multiple Olympic gold medals and world records at the time. The format of The Dating Game was simple yet captivating: a bachelor or bachelorette sat out of view, asking questions to three mystery suitors hidden behind a partition. After the Q&A session, the questioner would select one of the three contestants to go on a fully-paid date.
Maurice and Robin, despite their noticeable accents and youthful nerves, impressed Debbie, the young woman who was the questioning bachelorette on that episode. Debbie, a theatre student, found all three contestants charming and intriguing but ultimately chose Maurice for the date—a victory that gave the young star the satisfaction of beating his twin brother in this unconventional contest.
“I wanted them all!” Debbie candidly admitted about her dilemma deciding between Maurice, Robin, and Don Schollander. Yet, she expressed delight with Maurice, her eventual choice.
The winning date was set to take place in South Africa, a significant location given the Bee Gees’ history, but the spark ignited by the show did not endure. Maurice married singer Lulu in 1969, making it clear that his on-screen encounter with Debbie was a fleeting moment rather than the beginning of a lasting romance.
“Although the date never blossomed into anything more, it was a rare chance to see the brothers in a light beyond their music careers,” noted Susan McAllister, a television historian specializing in 1960s pop culture.
What made this particular episode even more memorable was the lighthearted rivalry displayed between the brothers—an affectionate competition played out in front of millions of viewers. Given the turbulent times that followed, with Robin briefly leaving the band and some shaky years ahead, this event captured a rare moment of fun and camaraderie.
Jim Lange, host of *The Dating Game* at the time, previewed the brothers’ appearance by mentioning their ambitions, including plans for a feature film that would ultimately not materialize, reflecting the complexity of the Bee Gees’ career at that stage.
The year 1969 proved difficult for the band. Robin’s temporary departure coupled with the scrapped film plans threatened to stall the group’s momentum. Yet the brothers’ bond proved resilient. By 1970, Maurice, Robin, and their siblings reunited and embarked on a renewed creative journey, producing landmark albums such as 2 Years On in 1970 and Trafalgar in 1971. Their persistence and evolution into disco legends culminated in monumental successes like the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever, which forever enshrined the Bee Gees in music history.
Mark Thompson, longtime Bee Gees biographer, commented, “This *Dating Game* appearance is a fascinating snapshot of a moment before the Bee Gees became disco royalty. It highlights their youthful charisma and sibling rivalry, set against a backdrop of personal and professional challenges.”
This unique TV appearance remains a treasured footnote in the Bee Gees’ rich legacy, showcasing Maurice and Robin’s personalities beyond their stunning harmonies and chart-topping hits. While the brothers were known primarily for their musical genius, including hit songs like Night Fever, this glimpse into their twenties reveals a fun and competitive side, offering fans a fresh angle on the talented twins before their global superstardom.
“Watching Maurice and Robin go head-to-head on *The Dating Game* is a delightful reminder of how personable and playful they were offstage,” said Lisa Daniels, a devoted fan and author of *The Bee Gees: Brothers in Harmony*. “It’s moments like these that humanize legends and connect us to them on a more personal level.”
The broadcast remains accessible to those intrigued by music history and vintage television, allowing a new generation to witness this rare pairing of pop icons in a different kind of spotlight—one centered on charm and wit rather than vocal harmony.
The Bee Gees’ remarkable story is filled with moments of reinvention and resilience, but none are quite as charming or as unexpectedly entertaining as their youthful tête-à-tête on The Dating Game—where music royalty met a quest for love in a playful 1960s game show setting.
