Showmance (show + romance)

“Showmance” is a portmanteau of the words “show” and “romance.” For example, if the two leads of William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet fall in love in real life, that is a “showmance.”
   
“In Act 2, you see how the ‘show-mances’ (actors who fall in love with fellow actors) start to fall apart” was printed in the Daily Journal (Flat River, MO) on October 19, 1999. Most “showmances” in the theater end when the show closes.
 
The term “showmance” was then used in reality television, although many of the “showmances” were publicity stunts. “Corporate America’s biggest merger—between ‘Apprentice’ stars Nick Warnock and Amy Henry—was nothing but a ‘showmance’ to get more screen time” was printed in the Chicago (IL) Tribune on April 6, 2004.
 
Will Kirby, who starred on the second season of Big Brother has claimed that he coined “showmance” and even trademarked it. However, his trademark, filed in 2007, claims a date of first use of June 17, 2006, and is currently listed as “DEAD.”
 
     
Wikipedia: Showmance 
A showmance (sometimes show-mance), also known as show romance, is a romance that develops between two individuals in theater, or on films and television series and between reality show contestants or participants for the running period of the show. When the two actively engage in a “made up” situation, it can be called a fauxmance. It is also considered a neologism and its usage is gaining popularity in the media.
 
The term came to the attention of the mainstream on the non-scripted American television show Big Brother when it was first used by Will Kirby in 2001. It has been used in theater on stage for years. Then it moved to films, theater and scripted television. It is primarily entered into as a ploy to gain more public and media attention and, in case of television, more camera time during the run of a theater piece, or a television series. It may be also just a publicity stunt.
 
Newspapers.com
19 October 1999, Daily Journal (Flat River, MO), “British farce comes to MAC stage” by Donna Hickman, pg. 3, col. 4:
In Act 2, you see how the ‘show-mances’ (actors who fall in love with fellow actors) start to fall apart.
 
29 May 2003, Boston (MA) Herald, “Theater: Shows of affection; Onstage sweethearts find real romance offstage” by Robert Nesti, pg. 61:
... the idea of a “showmance” can be both daunting and rewarding.
 
19 March 2004, New York (NY) Post, “Starr Report” by Michael Starr, pg. 131:
... “showmance” (“show romance”) between contestants.
   
Newspapers.com
6 April 2004, Chicago (IL) Tribune, “Only a ‘showmance’,” pg. 36, col. 2:
Corporate America’s biggest merger—between “Apprentice” stars Nick Warnock and Amy Henry—was nothing but a “showmance” to get more screen time, fired contestant Heidi Bressler tells E! Online.
 
Urban Dictionary 
showmance
When actors engage in a romance for the run of a show.
Once the run is over so is the romance.
The term originated in the theater and moved to movies and scripted television and then reality television.
The term has now moved to the populace to discribe any contrived romance.
(...)
by Bif Loman July 17, 2006
         
Wikipedia: Showmance (Glee)
“Showmance” is the second episode of the American television series Glee. The episode premiered on the Fox network on September 9, 2009. It was written by series co-creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan and directed by Murphy. The episode sees the glee club attempt to recruit new members by performing Salt-n-Pepa’s “Push It” in a school assembly. It advances the love triangles between Rachel (Lea Michele), Finn (Cory Monteith) and Quinn (Dianna Agron) and Emma (Jayma Mays), Will (Matthew Morrison) and Terri (Jessalyn Gilsig), and sees antagonist Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) begin to conspire against the club.
 
OCLC WorldCat record
Showmance
Author: L. H. Cosway (Author)
Summary: Damon Atwood was Hollywood’s golden boy. Having won an Oscar at the tender age of thirteen, he had the life many could only dream about. But his success came at a price, and after a short but fruitful film career, he chose to live a life of obscurity on a remote Scottish island. Almost a decade later he’s finally ready to make his return, starting with a lead role in a musical on London’s West End. As a choreographer’s assistant, Rose Taylor has always faded into the background. She watches shows come to life from the side lines, but has never craved the attention of stardom. When rumours begin circulating of Damon’s involvement in her latest gig, she doesn’t predict how she will be thrust into the limelight, nor how the mysterious and strangely introverted man will need her to teach him how to be a star again. Rose knows that show crushes don’t last. Actors fall for each other during the intensity of a production, often losing themselves in their roles. These kinds of affairs burn bright and then they fade. The question is, should Rose let herself shine with Damon, or guard her heart from being broken after the final curtain call?
eBook, English, 2016
Publisher: Smashwords Edition, Los Gatos, 2016
 
OCLC WorldCat record
The Showmance
Author: Sherie Keys
Summary: Tilly is a cute, confident BBW of African American heritage who gets her fair share of men. However, even she would admit that sexy underwear model William is a bit out of her league…So when she finds herself on a dating show competing with size zero bikini models trying to win a date with William she is just waiting to be rejected and she can not wait to just go home and get over the humiliation.To her surprise, William rejects all the other girls and picks her for the date. Tilly can not believe she was picked and can not wait to get a feel of his rock hard abs in person.However, she is in for a BIG shock when she discovers the TRUTH behind the reason that William picked her…. Is this Romance? Or is this Showmance?
eBook, English, 2016
Publisher: BWWM Romance, Oklahoma City, 2016
   
IMDb
Celebrity Showmance
2017
55m
Celebrity Showmance is a high-concept comedy entertainment show where six single celebrities, all active on social media, are paired into three very unlikely “couples” before competing to fool the world that they are in a real romantic relationship. These three new superstar “couples” are challenged to go to hilarious heights to promote their (fake) relationship. Who can pull off the most outrageous photo opportunities and shocking stunts to set tongues wagging and convince everyone they’re an item? It’s a whirlwind world of glamorous parties, paparazzi, twitter feeds and column inches.
Stars Kyle Christie, Hayley Hasselhoff, Victoria Hervey
 
YouTube
Lin-Manuel Miranda Teaches You Broadway Slang | Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair
Nov 27, 2018
Vanity Fair cover star Lin-Manuel Miranda teaches you Broadway slang.
 
Vanity Fair
SLANG SCHOOL | SEASON 1 | EPISODE 35
Lin-Manuel Miranda Teaches You Broadway Slang
Vanity Fair cover star Lin-Manuel Miranda teaches you Broadway slang.
Released on 11/27/2018
Transcript
(...)
Showmance.
A showmance is a romance that happens
between cast members of your show.
My friend and future president, Christopher Jackson,
met his wife when she was playing Nina
and he was playing Benny in a workshop of In the Heights.
I’ll never forget it because they had their kiss
and then I was sitting behind them,
we were sort of reading at music stands,
and I was sitting behind them
and she grabbed his upstage hand,
which was like not facing the audience,
so it was clearly for them,
and I was the only one who could see it,
and I was like ooohhhhh, what’s happening?
And now they’re married and have two beautiful kids.
   
CBS 
Big Brother Hall Of Fame
A look back at the past Big Brother Houseguests who expertly played the game.
Posted on Jul 2, 2019 | 05:00am
By Nate Millado
(...)
Will Kirby
In addition to introducing the term “showmance” to the reality TV lexicon, Dr. Will was the O.G. puppet master!
     
Screen Rant
Big Brother: Dr Will Kirby Claims He Invented ‘Showmance’ In Old Video
The fans found an old video where Big Brother legend Dr. Will Kirby claims that he invented the term “showmance.” Find out what he said.
BY BERNARDO SIM
PUBLISHED JAN 17, 2021
(...)
Recently, the fans have uncovered an old video that features Dr. Will Kirby talking about his experience on Big Brother and crediting himself for inventing the word “showmance.” Will says in the video, “A showmance is when you have a romance on a reality show. It’s not for real.” He then jokes, “I am so adamant that this is going to be a common reality phrase that I have since [obtained the copyrights to] ‘showmance.’ Anyone who uses this phrase without my express written consent will be sued. So, ‘showmance,’ I can say it, you can’t.” You can watch the full video on Reddit.
 
IMDb
Showmance
TV Series
2021–
Recently jilted by her boyfriend (who also happens to be her boss…yikes!), Casey (Skyler Samuels) is offered a dream job launching a British spin-off of the cooking TV show she currently produces. After a psychic visit prompted by her hippie sister (Emily Arlook), she heads to London looking for love. What she doesn’t expect is to find it TWICE. Casey winds up in a love triangle caught between the charming UK showrunner (Jack Turner) and a very sexy chef (Eliot Knight).
Stars Skyler Samuels, Jack Turner, Monét X Change
 
(Trademark)
Word Mark SHOWMANCE
Goods and Services (ABANDONED) IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Entertainment services, namely, personal appearances by a celebrity; Entertainment services, namely, production and distribution of a game show; Entertainment services, namely, providing a radio program in the field of reality television via a global computer network; Entertainment services, namely, providing a television program in the field of reality television via a global computer network; Entertainment services, namely, providing a web site featuring musical performances, musical videos, related film clips, photographs, and other multimedia materials; Entertainment services, namely, providing on-line reviews of reality television; Entertainment, namely, television news shows; Organizing exhibitions for reality television. FIRST USE: 20060617. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20060720
Standard Characters Claimed
Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Serial Number 77028720
Filing Date October 25, 2006
Current Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Owner (APPLICANT) Kirby, William T. INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES 13044 Pacific Promenade #424 Playa Vista CALIFORNIA 90094
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Abandonment Date September 10, 2007
 
(Trademark)
Word Mark SHOWMANCE PRODUCTIONS
Goods and Services IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Arranging and conducting of concerts; Concert booking; Entertainment in the nature of live stage performances in the nature of concerts in the field of music by an individual; Entertainment, namely, live music concerts. FIRST USE: 20141212. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20141212
Standard Characters Claimed
Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Serial Number 86510365
Filing Date January 21, 2015
Current Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Published for Opposition June 30, 2015
Registration Number 4811815
Registration Date September 15, 2015
Owner (REGISTRANT) Spencer Lloyd Howard DBA Showmance Productions, LLC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY NEW YORK 340 Haven Avenue #6B New York NEW YORK 10033
Disclaimer NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE “PRODUCTIONS” APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Affidavit Text SECT 8 (6-YR).
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE