Date My Ex: Jo & Slade was a reality TV series that premiered on the Bravo network in 2008. The show followed the lives of Jo De La Rosa, a former cast member of The Real Housewives of Orange County, and her ex-boyfriend Slade Smiley. The couple had broken up several years prior to the show but decided to reunite and explore the possibility of getting back together.
The series was unique in that it took the traditional dating show format and flipped it on its head. Instead of a single person seeking romance with multiple suitors, Date My Ex followed Jo and Slade as they each dated a variety of potential partners, and then debriefed with each other at the end of each episode.
At the beginning of the series, Jo and Slade were still living together as roommates in Los Angeles. Though they claimed to have ended their romantic relationship, it was clear that there were still unresolved feelings between them. Throughout the course of the show, Jo and Slade each went on several dates with different people, ranging from typical dinner and movie affairs to more adventurous outings like go-kart racing or paintballing.
Despite their best efforts to move on, Jo and Slade's interactions remained fraught with tension and unresolved issues. There were frequent arguments, accusations, and moments of lingering affection. Both Jo and Slade seemed hesitant to fully commit to their new partners while still harboring feelings for each other.
Adding to the tension of the show was the presence of Myia Ingoldsby, a mutual friend of Jo and Slade's who had been introduced to them by Slade himself. Myia was one of the people that Jo and Slade went on dates with, complicating the situation even further. Though Jo had initially pushed for Slade to date Myia, she became increasingly jealous and territorial as their relationship progressed.
Throughout the series, Jo and Slade sought guidance from their friends and family members, who had differing opinions on whether they should reunite or move on. Jo's friends tended to support her desire to move on from Slade, while Slade's family members urged him to fight for Jo and their previous relationship.
Date My Ex was a rollercoaster of emotions for both the cast and audiences. Though the couple seemed to be genuinely struggling with their feelings for each other and the other people they were dating, viewers were often frustrated by their inability to move on. Nonetheless, the show was hailed as an innovative twist on the dating show genre, and enjoyed a devoted following.
After one season, the show was cancelled, leaving the fates of Jo, Slade, and Myia up in the air. Though the show may have been short-lived, it left a lasting impact on reality TV and the way we approach romance onscreen.
Date My Ex: Jo & Slade is a series that ran for 1 seasons (8 episodes) between July 21, 2008 and on Bravo