Our First Impression of Small Town Setup on Hallmark+
Hallmark+ has ventured into reality dating TV with Small Town Setup, and we couldn’t resist diving in. Premiering on January 2, 2025, the streaming platform dropped all six episodes at once, giving fans the ultimate binge-worthy treat. Hosted by the ever-charming Ashley Williams, this dating show brings together chronically single individuals from small towns, with their loved ones orchestrating surprise matchmaking. Here’s our first impression of Small Town Setup after watching the entire first season.
Premise of Small Town Setup
The show follows parents, friends, and neighbors as they work together to set up a perpetually single loved one with potential suitors. Ashley Williams serves as host, and her boundless enthusiasm and genuine warmth shine through as she meets these families and their reluctant singles.
Set against the backdrop of tight-knit, picturesque small towns in Georgia, Small Town Setup unfolds over six episodes, each spotlighting a different dater and their unique journey to find love.
What We Loved about Small Town Setup
- Ashley Williams’ Energy: Ashley Williams is a delight to watch. Her infectious laugh, genuine care for the daters, and relentless positivity make her the heart of the show. She truly connects with the families and singles she meets, which elevates the emotional stakes.
- Diversity in the Dating Pool: One of the standout aspects of Small Town Setup is the variety within the dating pool. The singles come from a range of backgrounds, professions, and experience. That said, we do have a few thoughts on inclusivity, which we’ll delve into below.
- A Refreshing Take on Dating Activities: We loved the variety of dates showcased on Small Town Setup. From painting and music sessions to other creative and meaningful activities, the show offers a fresh departure from the typical clubbing or hot tub scenes filled with endless drink guzzling. It’s a wholesome, heartfelt approach that feels perfectly aligned with Hallmark’s charm.
- Authentic Vulnerability: One of the most refreshing aspects of Small Town Setup is watching the singles open up and get truly vulnerable. It’s heartwarming to see them honestly share what they’re looking for in a partner and what matters most to them. This authenticity adds depth to the show and makes it easy to root for their love stories.
What We are Wishing For
While Small Town Setup has its charm, there are aspects that left us wanting more:
- Obvious Setup: The lack of clarity around how and when the singles find out they’re being set up feels a bit contrived. Realistically, wouldn’t they question why cameras are suddenly documenting their lives? Including their genuine reactions to learning about the setup could add a layer of authenticity to the show. It wasn’t until episode 4, when single Leighann expressed visible frustration with her parents’ intervention and asked pointed questions about how it all came together, that we finally saw a glimpse of that authenticity.
- Community Viewing Premise: The idea of the community coming together to watch clips from the dates is an intriguing concept that adds a fun layer of involvement. However, framing it as a live event feels unnecessary since the dates clearly take place over several days. Emphasizing the shared experience without the “it’s happening live” aspect would make it feel more authentic.
- Missing Emotional Backstories: One of the most compelling aspects of shows like The Bachelor is the emotionally charged backstories that create a narrative viewers can truly invest in. Unfortunately, Small Town Setup misses the mark here by not delving deeply enough into the lives of the singles or their suitors. We’d love to see more personal stories and heartfelt moments that help us connect with the individuals and root for their journeys.
- Balancing Interviews and Action: Hearing from parents and friends adds valuable insight, but the chatty interview segments can sometimes slow down the pace. A better balance with more time spent on the actual dates would enhance the overall viewing experience and keep the momentum going.
- No Follow-Ups: The episodes end without updates on whether the couples pursued further relationships. Did they go on a second date? Are they still together? Did anyone decide to move back to their small town? These unanswered questions leave us hanging.
Lingering Questions
- How did the producers find these families eager to set up their loved ones? Did they post a flyer at the local diner, hang out at church bake sales, or just ask, “Who’s had enough of their single son or daughter’s excuses?”
- Were participants vetted for emotional readiness or mental health concerns? Or did the producers simply roll the dice, trusting small-town charm to gloss over any emotional baggage? Jokes aside—seriously, though—were they actually vetted?
- How much input do the singles have in this process? Are they genuinely surprised, or is there a hint of prior knowledge? Because let’s face it – if a camera crew suddenly showed up while you’re making your morning coffee, wouldn’t you start to suspect your parents were up to something?
Room for Growth
- Inclusion of Same-Sex Couples: We’d love to see the show evolve to include LGBTQ+ representation in future episodes.
- Expanding the Age Range: While we’re enjoying the connections forming on Small Town Setup, we’d love to see the age range of singles expanded in future seasons. Second-chance romances and golden romances could add even more depth and heart to the show. Love stories don’t need to be limited to singles in their 20s and 30s – there’s something truly special about seeing people find love at any stage of life.
- Realistic Reactions: Let us see the raw, authentic emotions of the singles discovering they’re being set up.
- Follow-Up Stories: Updates at the end of each episode could provide closure and allow viewers to root for the couples.
Why You Should Watch Small Town Setup
Despite a few areas for improvement, Small Town Setup is a feel-good reality television show off to a great start. Ashley Williams’ infectious enthusiasm and genuine care for the singles she meets make the series undeniably endearing. The cozy small-town charm brings a refreshing twist to the reality dating genre. If you’re in the mood for a lighthearted series with heart, Small Town Setup is definitely worth a watch – and we’re excited to see how it grows from here.
A Nod to Reality Dating TV of Yesteryear
Small Town Set Up brings to mind the gloriously chaotic days of Blind Date hosted by Roger Lodge. Remember those “Checking In” segments? They’d reveal that most dates ended with the couples deciding there wasn’t a connection – shocking!
And who could forget the pop-up bubbles? Those snarky little captions narrated exactly what we were all thinking (and probably some things we weren’t). While Small Town Setup doesn’t embrace the same level of cheeky irreverence, maybe it should. Imagine Ashley Williams with her signature grin reacting to a pop-up bubble announcing, “Spoiler alert: He’s not calling her back.” Now that would be TV gold.
Final Thoughts
Small Town Set Up has the potential to grow into something truly special. With some tweaks to its structure and storytelling, it could become a staple of Hallmark+. We’re hopeful for future seasons and can’t wait to see what’s next!
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