SUMMARY
  • Cheryl Bradshaw avoided a date with serial killer Rodney Alcala.
  • Her experience inspired the Netflix film 'Woman of the Hour.'
  • Alcala was convicted of multiple murders before dying in prison.

Get ready for a true story that’s as wild as it gets. Picture this: a dating show, a charming guy, and a decision that could change everything. We’re diving into the life of Cheryl Bradshaw and her shocking encounter with Rodney Alcala, who turned out to be a complete nightmare.

In 1978, Bradshaw stepped onto the set of The Dating Game, probably thinking she was in for some fun. Instead, she found herself face-to-face with a person who harbored a dark secret. While everyone else saw him as a smooth talker, Bradshaw could already sense that something was off.

Anna Kendrick as Cheryl Bradshaw and Daniel Zovatto as Rodney Alcala in Woman of the Hour
Anna Kendrick as Cheryl Bradshaw and Daniel Zovatto as Rodney Alcala in Woman of the Hour (Credits: Netflix)

Fast forward to today, and her story is getting the Hollywood treatment in Netflix’s Woman of the Hour, featuring Anna Kendrick. But what happened to Bradshaw after that fateful show? Was she really a victim of fate or just a lucky girl with great instincts? Let’s find out! 

Did Rodney Alcala Kill Cheryl Bradshaw?

Rodney Alcala
Rodney Alcala (Credits: YouTube/CBS News)

Rodney Alcala, the person who caught Cheryl Bradshaw’s attention, was anything but charming. On The Dating Game, a show where three eligible bachelors vied for the attention of one bachelorette, he had all the right lines and smiles. But behind that façade was a violent predator.

Bradshaw first picked Bachelor No. 1, Alcala. However, after the show, she felt uneasy and decided not to go out with him. Ellen Metzger, the former contestant coordinator, told ABC News in 2021 that Bradshaw said to her: 

She [Bradshaw] said, ‘Ellen, I can’t go out with this guy. There’s weird vibes that are coming off of him. He’s very strange. I am not comfortable.’

She had no idea that Alcala was a serial killer and a s*xual offender. Trusting her gut probably saved her life. While Alcala went on to commit terrible crimes, her choice to reject him kept her safe. 

Where is Cheryl Bradshaw Now?

Cheryl Bradshaw in The Dating Game and Anna Kendrick in Woman of the Hour
Cheryl Bradshaw in The Dating Game (Credits: ABC) and Anna Kendrick in Woman of the Hour (Credits: Netflix)

Cheryl Bradshaw is an interesting figure, but we don’t know much about her these days. After The Dating Game, she didn’t become a celebrity like you might think. She introduced herself as a drama teacher from Phoenix, Arizona, and seemed like someone who could easily win hearts—except for Alcala’s, thankfully!

In the Netflix film Woman of the Hour, Anna Kendrick portrays Cheryl, bringing her story to life. Sadly, the actress revealed that Bradshaw has passed away, leaving many questions unanswered. While we don’t have all the details about her life after the show, her experience reminds us to trust our instincts.

How Many People Did Rodney Alcala Kill?

Serial killer Rodney Alcala in a 1979 police mugshot
Rodney Alcala (Image by Huntington Beach Police Department, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Now, let’s talk about Rodney Alcala. After his stint on The Dating Game, he wasn’t out there living his best life. Instead, he was convicted for the tragic murder of 12-year-old Robin Samsoe. Alcala’s life reads like a horror movie. He was sentenced to death, but his verdict got overturned!

Alcala went through several trials, making it feel like a real courtroom drama. Finally, in 2010, he was convicted of multiple murders, including some tragic cases from New York. He claimed to have killed up to 130 people—a number that sends shivers down your spine.

He stayed on death row until he died in 2021, and not because of the execution, but because he died of natural causes. Alcala’s life shows that some villains really do slip through the cracks. You never know who’s hiding in plain sight.

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