This post contains mentions of sexual assault, murder, and Rodney Alcala’s real-life violent crimes.
Ed Burke is one of the most interesting characters in Netflix’sWoman of the Hour, and here’s why the true-story film decided not to completely base the game show host on the real-life Jim Lange.Woman of the Hourtells thetrue story of serial killer Rodney Alcala, a notorious criminal who also appeared on an episode ofThe Dating Gamein 1978 during the middle of his murder spree. Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut is a major hit on Netflix, and while much ofWoman of the Hour’s story is true, Ed Burke is one notable exception.
Due to the film mixing many real elements with many fictionalized elements, there has been a lot offact checking forWoman of the Hoursince its release on Netflix. While most of the details surrounding the real-life murders that Rodney Alcala committed are true,most of the reality bending that occurs inWoman of the Houris centered aroundThe Dating Game. While the game show is real, some of the characters that are present during the game show scenes are changed, amalgamations of other characters, or entirely new, such as Tony Hale’s Ed Burke.
Jim Lange Inspired Woman Of The Hour’s Ed Burke, But The Character Is Still Fictionalized
Ed Burke Is Not Meant To Be The Real Host
InWoman of the Hour, Tony Hale plays Ed Burke, who is presented as the host ofThe Dating Gamein the film. However, Ed Burke was not the real host when Rodney Alcala appeared on the game show. Instead, the host ofThe Dating Gamewas Jim Lange. While Ed Burke parallels Jim Lange when it comes to appearance, demeanor, and his role inWoman of the Hour, a lot of Ed Burke is fictionalized, with Tony Hale’s character only being inspired by Jim Lange.
Woman Of The Hour: Yes, Sally Field Was On The Dating Game & She Wasn’t The Only Notable Name
As Woman of the Hour reveals, not only Sally Field but several other renowned actors appeared on The Dating Game before their acting career took off.
In real life, Jim Lange was a prolific game show host who worked on all kinds of popular TV series, such asHollywood Connection,The New Newlywed Game, andThe Dating Game. AlthoughThe Dating Gamehas gotten new episodes as recently as 2021,Jim Lange only hosted the show from its start in 1965 to its syndicated run in 1978. Thus, Jim Lange was around for Rodney Alcala’s 1978 appearance onThe Dating Game, with his role in the episode being similar to how Ed Burke’s role inThe Dating Gamewas portrayed inWoman of the Hour.
The Deeper Meaning Behind Ed Burke’s Role In Woman Of The Hour
He Plays Into Woman Of The Hour’s Main Theme
Although Ed Burke is not the antagonist ofWoman of the Hour, the character serves a major role in developing the film’s themes. Much ofWoman of the Houris centered around the sexism and misogyny of Hollywood, with Anna Kendrick’s Cheryl Bradshaw facing it at every cornerduring her time onThe Dating Game. The film uses Ed Burke to show that these game shows weren’t as perfect as they seemed on screen, with Ed Burke’s sexism and unprofessional behavior becoming apparent when the cameras aren’t rolling.
The victims of Hollywood that are presented inWoman of the Hourare directly paralleled with the victims of Rodney Alcala’s murders and sexual assaults, with the film making a statement about systemic versus interpersonal sexism. WhileWoman of the Houris obviously presenting Alcala’s crimes as the atrocities they are,the film is also highlighting that the same patterns of behavior that led to Alcala’s crimes are deeply ingrained in Hollywood.Ed Burke and Rodney Alcalaare presented as two sides of the same coin, possibly explaining whyWoman of the Hourused a fictionalized version of Jim Lange.
What Happened To The Dating Game’s Jim Lange
After Rodney Alcala’s The Dating Game Appearance
Jim Lange leftThe Dating Gameafter its 1978 syndicated run, although he was far from done hosting game shows. Lange hosted game shows well into the 1980s, with him being the face of programs likeBullseye,$100,000 Name That TuneandTriple Threat.Lange became a celebrity in his own right, with him appearing as himself on shows likeLaverne & Shirley,Bewitched, andThe Super Mario Bros. Super Show!.
Why The Police Really Questioned Rodney Alcala At The LA Times In Woman Of The Hour
One of the tensest scenes in Netflix’s Woman of the Hour sees police officers questioning Rodney Alcala — but why were the cops questioning him?
Before being a game show host, Jim Lange got his start as a disc jockey, something that he returned to in the 1990s. Lange continued disc jockeying in the Bay Area until he retired in 2005. Jim Lange continued to live in California until he died of a heart attack on July 24, 2025, putting an end to the life of one of the figures who inspired the story ofWoman of the Hour.
Woman of the Hour
Cast
Woman of the Hour is a biographical thriller directed by Anna Kendrick, who also stars in the film. The movie chronicles the infamous real-life story of Cheryl Bradshaw’s appearance on the 1978 edition of The Dating Game, where one of the contestants, Rodney Alcala, would later be revealed as a notorious serial killer. The film delves into the chilling intersection of entertainment and true crime.
