Proactive Approach?

Lately, I've gotten hooked on Regis and Kelly. What I find fascinating is their current thing called "Project Schulweis." Like other daytime shows have done before, it is a quest to find one of the behind the scenes folks.. love. This time it's their production coordinator Lori Schulweis. She's about 40, and single. They've opened up a nationwide search for this woman, who seems nice - but somewhat reserved. "Schully" has received a makeover, dating tips, lots of emails from guys, and now this week is going on five different dates that have been set up for her. (ie: picking one of the Cosmo bachelors, having perfectmatch.com set one up, her grandmother picked a guy, and she even speed dated) Now, she seems to be enjoying the process but also looks rather embarassed at times. And what happens if she doesn't really hit it off with any of these guys? I wonder what it would be like for my morning show to have "Project Steffen."
And on the other side of the fence, I've seen a few stories of men putting up billboards advertising their websites to find a wife.
Are doing these things simply being proactive and taking initiative, or are they desperate? Where would you draw the line? Do you think these methods can actually guarantee success? Just look at all those seasons of The Bachelor... Hardly any of the bachelors actually end up with a long-term relationship. Is putting yourself out there that much pathetic?
Awhile back I also read an excerpt of this book by Rachel Greenwald, titled "How to Find a Husband After 35 (using what I learned at Harvard Business School)." One of the things recommended to women was to send out notecards with your photo printed on them. Basically, you're supposed to send them to everyone you know.. literally saying that you want to meet someone and would appreciate them passing along your info to any available men they think you might be compatible with. To me, that sounded really humiliating.
Sure I'd like to "meet someone," but I think being on a reality show, renting a billboard, making a website, or sending out picture cards would scare people away. A little too intense.