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20/20
Air Date: Friday, January 08, 2021
Time Slot: 9:01 PM-11:00 PM EST on ABC
Episode Title: (#4309-120) "The Dating Game Killer"
[NOTE: The following article is a press release issued by the aforementioned network and/or company. Any errors, typos, etc. are attributed to the original author. The release is reproduced solely for the dissemination of the enclosed information.]

'20/20' REPORTS ON A NOTORIOUS SERIAL KILLER WHO, IN THE MIDST OF HIS KILLING SPREE, APPEARED ON THE POPULAR 1970s TV GAME SHOW 'THE DATING GAME' AND WON

'20/20' Airs Friday, Jan. 8 (9:00-11:00 p.m. EST), on ABC

In 1968, Rodney Alcala lured a young girl outside the iconic Chateau Marmont hotel in Hollywood into his car, which marked the beginning of his reign of cross-country attacks that spanned more than a decade. Posing as a professional photographer, Alcala often used his good looks and charm to lure his victims. But perhaps his most brazen move came in 1978 when he made a chilling appearance as a contestant on the hit show "The Dating Game," and won. Through first-hand accounts from investigators, victims, eyewitnesses and even his court-appointed psychologist, "20/20" reports on one of the most notorious serial killers of modern times. The two-hour program features interviews with Tali Shapiro, who miraculously survived an attack by Alcala when she was just 8 years old; Chris Camacho, former LAPD officer who saved Shapiro's life; Jed Mills, who sat beside Alcala on "The Dating Game" as a fellow contestant; Gina Satriano, Los Angeles prosecutor; Matt Murphy, Orange County prosecutor; victims' family members; and more. "20/20" also exclusively features the 2013 interrogation of Alcala by Wyoming authorities about his alleged role in the murder of Christine Thornton 36 years earlier, which he denies. "20/20" airs Friday, Jan. 8 (9:00-11:00 p.m. EST), on ABC.

The Huntington Beach Police Department is seeking the public's help in identifying the people in photographs taken by Alcala, found in his storage locker, that were released publicly in 2010. The people remain unidentified and police do not know if they were victimized by Rodney Alcala. To view some of these images, go to https://abcn.ws/3hN6Vdq. If you have information about the identities of the people in the photographs, you may contact Sgt. Sam Shepherd, HBPD at (714) 536-5947.

ABC News' "20/20" is an award-winning primetime program anchored by David Muir and Amy Robach. A proven leader in the long-form newsmagazine for over 40 years, "20/20" features hard-hitting investigative reports, in-depth coverage of high profile trials, unforgettable, character-driven stories and exclusive newsmaker interviews. In conjunction with ABC Audio, "20/20" produced top true crime podcasts "A Killing on the Cape" and "Cutthroat Inc." "20/20" airs Fridays from 9:00-11:00 p.m. EST on ABC and is available to stream on ABC News digital platforms and Hulu.

David Sloan is senior executive producer. Colleen Halpin is senior producer, and Tim Gorin and Amanda Karrh are producers of this episode.

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