The Chilling True Story Behind 'Woman Of The Hour': 5 Facts About The Dating Game Killer Rodney Alcala And Cheryl Bradshaw

The true story behind the Netflix thriller *Woman of the Hour* is a chilling reminder of how close a terrifying predator came to claiming another victim, all under the bright lights of a 1970s television studio. The film, directed by and starring Anna Kendrick, vividly recreates the 1978 episode of the popular game show *The Dating Game*, where bachelorette Cheryl Bradshaw unknowingly chose one of America’s most prolific serial killers, Rodney Alcala, for a romantic date. As of today, December 10, 2025, the story continues to be a focal point in true crime discussions, highlighting the power of a woman's intuition and the horrifying duality of a charming killer. This deep dive explores the real-life figures, the facts versus the fiction, and the grim aftermath of the "Dating Game Killer."

The Real-Life Figures: Rodney Alcala and Cheryl Bradshaw Biography

The core of the *Woman of the Hour* narrative rests on the lives of two people whose paths tragically intersected on a lighthearted game show.

Rodney James Alcala (The Dating Game Killer)

• Full Name: Rodney James Alcala (also used aliases like John Berger and John Burger).
• Date of Birth: August 23, 1943.
• Place of Birth: San Antonio, Texas, USA.
• Crimes: Multiple murders, kidnapping, rape, and convicted sex offender.
• Nickname: "The Dating Game Killer" due to his 1978 appearance on the show.
• Convictions: Convicted in California for the murders of five women and girls between 1977 and 1979, including 12-year-old Robin Samsoe. He was later convicted of two additional murders in New York.
• Estimated Victims: Authorities suspect Alcala may have committed over 100 murders across California, New York, and other states.
• Death: Died of natural causes while incarcerated at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on July 24, 2021, at the age of 77.

Cheryl Bradshaw (The Bachelorette)

• Role: Bachelorette on *The Dating Game* in 1978.
• The Event: She chose "Bachelor No. 1," Rodney Alcala, based on his voice and answers.
• Life-Saving Decision: After the show, Bradshaw met Alcala backstage and was immediately put off by his "creepy" and unsettling demeanor, refusing to go on the date he had won.
• Current Status: Following the terrifying revelation of Alcala's true nature, Cheryl Bradshaw largely retreated from the public eye. Her decision to trust her gut is credited with saving her life.

The Fateful 1978 'Dating Game' Episode: A True Crime Horror Show

The premise of *The Dating Game* was simple: a bachelorette would ask questions to three hidden bachelors and choose one for a date. The episode featuring Cheryl Bradshaw and Rodney Alcala aired in September 1978. Alcala, who was introduced to the audience as a successful photographer, was charming, witty, and seemingly harmless. His answers, however, were laced with a dark, predatory undertone that was missed by the audience and the production staff. When asked what he was called "the master of," Alcala replied, "I'm a master of all things, but truly, I'm a master of women." The crowd cheered, but in retrospect, this was a terrifying glimpse into his true nature as a serial killer and sex offender.

The Intuition That Saved a Life

Despite Alcala winning the date, Bradshaw's intuition kicked in the moment she saw him in person. She found him unsettling and repulsive, noting a "creepy" vibe that was impossible to ignore. She fabricated an excuse and refused to go on the date, a decision that almost certainly saved her from becoming one of his many victims. This moment—the bachelorette's gut feeling overriding the excitement of a TV show date—is the central, most powerful, and true element of the *Woman of the Hour* film. It serves as a stark message about listening to one's inner warning signals, especially when facing a charming sociopath.

Fact vs. Fiction: What the Movie Changed

While *Woman of the Hour* (starring Anna Kendrick as a fictionalized "Sheryl Bradshaw" with an 'S') is based on a terrifying true story, some creative liberties were taken for dramatic effect. * The Bachelorette's Career: In the film, the character is portrayed as Sheryl Bradshaw, an aspiring actress with stage work in New York. The real Cheryl Bradshaw was not necessarily an aspiring actress, though she was a contestant on a game show. The movie uses this element to explore the challenges faced by women in the entertainment industry at the time. * The Extent of the Backstage Encounter: While the real-life Bradshaw refused the date due to Alcala's unsettling demeanor, the film may heighten the tension and duration of their backstage encounter. The core truth remains: she saw something disturbing in him that wasn't apparent on camera. * The Timeline of Discovery: The real-life episode aired in September 1978. Alcala was not formally identified as a serial killer until later, following the 1979 murder of 12-year-old Robin Samsoe. The movie compresses and dramatizes the timeline of the investigation and the realization of the danger.

The Legacy of The Dating Game Killer

Rodney Alcala's appearance on *The Dating Game* is a dark footnote in television history, but his legacy is one of horrific violence.

A Prolific Predator

Alcala's true victim count is estimated to be far higher than the seven murders he was convicted of in California and New York. Authorities found a storage locker belonging to Alcala containing over 1,000 photographs of women and young boys, many of them in sexually explicit or disturbing poses. Investigators believe many of these individuals were his victims, or potential victims, whose fates remain unknown.

Survivors and Justice

The case also brought to light the stories of those who survived Alcala's attacks, such as Morgan Rowan and Tali Shapiro. Tali Shapiro, who was only 8 years old when Alcala abducted and sexually assaulted her in 1968, was one of his earliest known victims. Her mother's testimony was crucial in connecting Alcala to his crimes over the years. Alcala was sentenced to death multiple times, a process that involved lengthy appeals and retrials over decades. His death in 2021 brought a definitive end to the legal saga, though the pain and trauma inflicted on the victims' families and survivors like Cheryl Bradshaw, Morgan Rowan, and Tali Shapiro continue. The film *Woman of the Hour* serves not only as a true-crime thriller but as a powerful tribute to the woman who trusted her instinct and escaped a monster, shining a much-needed spotlight on the chilling reality of serial killers operating in plain sight.