(CNN) -- Thanks to a crop of how-to dating shows, such as Bravo's "The Millionaire Matchmaker" and VH1's "Tough Love," more people are reaching out to matchmakers, making an age-old art fashionable again. Back in 19th-century Russia -- around the time of "Fiddler on the Roof" -- women dreaded visits from the village matchmaker and longed to choose their own men. Today, real-life dating experts are in high demand. "Millionaire Matchmaker" star Patti Stanger says her off-screen business, Millionaire's Club International, is growing just as fast as her TV series, which, in its third season premiere, increased viewership by 30 percent, according to Nielsen Media Research.
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Nielsen Media Research: "Millionaire Matchmaker" season 3 ratings show up season 2's
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Matchmaker Janis Spindel's business up 41 percent since matchmaking shows hit TV
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About half of the 20,000 who applied to be on "Tough Love Couples" were younger than 21
The Millionaire Matchmaker
Millionaire Matchmaker
Millionaire Matchmaker
Despite her general dislike for "@placeholder," Janis Spindel said the Bravo hit, which debuted in 2008, is somewhat responsible for spiking interest and boosting her client base.
Janis Spindel
Despite her general dislike for "The Millionaire Matchmaker," @placeholder said the Bravo hit, which debuted in 2008, is somewhat responsible for spiking interest and boosting her client base.