Is Woman of the Hour based on a true story? Yes. Follows it all the facts of the case? Well, not necessarily, although it mostly sticks to the core reality of what happened, along with some fictionalized deviations and changed details and names. If you’ve never heard of the “Dating Game Killer” or the destruction he caused, or if you’re curious about what Kendrick is doing with this historically gruesome moment, here’s an explanation of the true story that Netflix’s informed Woman of the Hour.

Who was “Dating Game Killer” Rodney Alcala, and what did he do?

He may be better known to many as the “Dating Game Killer,” but the all-too-real Rodney Alcala was a prolific serial killer and sex offender. Born Rodrigo Jacques Alcala Buquor on August 23, 1943 in San Antonio, Texas, he joined the Army at the age of 17, but was 1964 discharged amid allegations of sexual misconduct. After graduating from UCLA in 1968, after being linked by a witness to the rape and assault of an eight-year-old Tali Shapirohe fled to New York, where he adopted a new name: John Berger. There he studied film and worked as a photographer, guard and camp counselor.

In 1971, while in New York, he committed his first known murder of 23-year-old flight attendant Cornelia Crilley. She was bitten, sexually assaulted and strangled, which would become gruesome signs of Alcala’s future crimes. He then murdered five victims in California between 1977 and 1979. He is also linked to a second murder in New York and another murder in Wyoming. Although he is officially involved in the murders of eight women and girls, the full extent of his murders is unknown. Authorities believe he killed as many as 130 people, according to police. Associated press.

In 1978, while in the middle of his killing spree in California, Alcala was called in The dating game because of its looks and charm. Producers never did a background check on him. If they had, they would have discovered that he had already served 34 months in prison for the brutal attack on Shapiro.

Who was Cheryl Bradshaw and what happened to her?

Little is known about the real Cheryl Bradshaw, who appeared as the bachelorette looking for love The dating game in 1978, per Entertainment weekly. She asked questions to the three singles without being able to see them and chose Alaca, who was introduced as a ‘successful photographer’, as the lucky winner of a date with her.

So she went on that date with the serial killer who pursued her affections? Fortunately not. Although Bradshaw was initially charmed by his funny answers, he got an eerie feeling when she met Alaca and stared into his eyes. “I started feeling sick,” she said reportedly said in a 2012 interview. The show showered them with romantic perks — free tennis lessons and a trip to Magic Mountain — but when Alcala suggested they hang out, she turned him down. “I didn’t want to see him again.”

That wasn’t all: Dating game producer Ellen Metzger recalled receiving a call from Bradshaw asking to be rescheduled from the promised date. “She said, ‘Ellen, I can’t date this guy,’” Metzger said 20/20. “There are strange feelings coming from him. He’s very strange. I don’t feel comfortable. Is that going to be a problem?” And of course I said, ‘No.'”

What finally happened to Rodney Alcala?

Ultimately, Alcala faced justice, but not until he had caused even more horror to his victims and their families. In 1979, Alcala murdered his last known victim, 12-year-old Robin Samsoe, and kidnapped her as she walked home from a ballet class. A sketch released by police led to Alcala’s arrest on July 24, 1979. What sealed his fate: his probation officer saw the similarity to the sketch and informed the authorities.

Alcala was convicted of Samsoe’s murder in 1980 and sentenced to death, but the conviction was overturned due to a legal technicality. In 1986 he was tried again and found guilty again. The second conviction was also overturned in 2001, reportedly due to inappropriate legal advice. A third trial that began in 2003 provided the DNA evidence needed to link him to several of his murders. The trial ultimately dragged on for years, until Alcala was convicted on all five counts for his murders in California in March 2010. He was sentenced to death for the third and final time. He was later convicted of the two murders in New York in 2012.

Alcala served his prison sentence on death row in Corcoran, California. Awaiting his execution, he died of natural causes on July 24, 2021, at the age of 77.