The 5th Wheel
The 5th Wheel was an American dating game show, initially hosted by Aisha Tyler, that ran from 2001-2004.
The show would begin with two men and two women, all of whom were sent out on a joint date. Then a 5th provocative man or woman ("the fifth wheel") would join the group. At that point the participants would swap partners to learn more about them and to decide if they would like to go out with each other. The cameras would follow their every move, while commentary in the form of subtitles, animations, and "thought bubbles" was added by the show's producers. At the end, they would all vote on whom they would like to go out with, with the option of choosing "nobody" as well. The show was canceled in 2004. Reruns currently air on Fox Reality.
The series was produced by the same company that produced Blind Date but was more provocative and sexual in nature than its sister series offering crazier and more elaborate subtitles and superimposed animated jokes which altered the appearance of the scene featuring each couple.
Crew
The 5th Wheel's credits listed veteran comedy writers Rob Dames, Vance DeGeneres (brother of comedian Ellen DeGeneres), Boston comedy writer Martin Olson and New Yorker, Archie Gips.