Comedian Amelia Dimoldenberg is ending her series, “Chicken Shop Date,” after 12 years.
When Dimoldenberg* was 17, she started writing a print column at a local youth magazine. At 20, she debuted her “Chicken Shop Date” series on YouTube in 2014.
Originally, “Chicken Shop Date” was a series highlighting local South London rappers and grime artists. As the series grew, Dimoldenberg expanded her dating pool to include actors and other types of celebrities. Some of these celebrities have included Keke Palmer, Paul McCartney and Elmo. Dimoldenberg’s interviews are set up as if she is on a first date with the celebrity she is interviewing. The various dates with celebrities are meant to be attempts at finding Dimoldenberg’s "true love."
Dimoldenberg has partnered with both chain and small business chicken shops throughout the series. Some of the various chicken shops Dimoldenberg has worked with include Sam’s Chicken, Morley's, Chicken Cottage, Chicking, Kasey's Chicken & Grill, Kasey's Chicken 4 and Slim Chickens.
The choice of the first dates being set at chicken shops came from Dimoldenberg wanting the dates to seem awkward and not at what may be considered a normal first date spot. Dimoldenberg’s style of interviewing allows an artist's personality to shine while also providing an opportunity for the artist the opportunity to promote any upcoming projects.
The first ever date was with grime MC Ghetts at Chicken Cottage.
“I might go back with you because you're a cheap date,“ Ghetts said, after being asked if he would go on another chicken shop date. Ghett was held to his word. In 2024, Ghetts made a second appearance on the series in honor of the 10th anniversary of the series.
“I told you I’d be back,“ Ghetts said.
One of the most popular episodes of “Chicken Shop Date” is an episode featuring Andrew GarfieldPrior to the episode, a clip of Dimoldenberg interviewing Garfield at a red carpet event for the 2022 GQ Men of the Year Awards went viral online. Viewers loved the dynamic between the two.
A few months later, at the 2023 Golden Globes, Dimoldenberg interviewed Garfield again. Towards the end of the interview, Dimoldenberg asked Garfield to sign his autograph on a piece of paper. The paper was revealed to be a best friends certificate.
Garfield finally made his appearance on “Chicken Shop Date” in 2024 during the tenth anniversary season. Garfield's appearance was part of the press tour for his film, “We Live in Time.”
“Don’t do anything weird like bring out a ring or get down on one knee. I’m not in the mood today,“ said Dimoldenberg to begin the date.
Another viral moment from “Chicken Shop Date” was during an episode with Matty Healythe vocalist of The 1975. At the end of Healy’s date with Dimoldenberg, Healy asks to kiss her. The clip's virality seems to stem from being one of the only times Dimoldenberg looked more uncomfortable than a guest.
The first episode of the “Chicken Shop Date: The Final Series*” was released Oct. 2. The episode featured musical artist Role Model. While there, he promoted his new album “Chuck Timely & The Hourglass.”
Aside from talking about Role Model’s newest album, the two discussed the artist’s tradition of bringing an audience member on stage to dance during his song “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out.” Role Model shared a desire to focus on his newest album and move on from his previous album “Kansas Anymore.”
The celebrities appearing throughout the final episodes have yet to be announced. The rest of the final series will be released on both Netflix and YouTube.
