Seattle, WA – A bizarre and unprecedented wave of romantic requests flooded radio stations across the United States last night following a heartfelt plea broadcast on Seattle’s KROQ. The broadcast, originating from the apartment of Sam Baldwin (played by Tom Hanks), a recently widowed architect, sparked a nationwide obsession with finding a suitable partner for the 57-year-old.

The event unfolded shortly after 7:00 PM PST when Baldwin, attempting to comfort his 17-year-old daughter, Susan (played by Meg Ryan), contacted KROQ’s morning show host, Chuck Lesperance. Baldwin, struggling to come to terms with his wife’s death, simply asked listeners to “call any girl who might be willing to date a lonely old man.” The request, initially intended as a private expression of grief, quickly spiraled into a national phenomenon.

Within minutes, phones at radio stations across the country began ringing off the hook. Reports are flooding in of women, ranging in age from 18 to 65, receiving calls from strangers seeking a date with Baldwin. While some callers expressed genuine interest, others were understandably bewildered by the sudden and unusual attention.

“I honestly thought I was going crazy,” said Carol Miller, a receptionist in Boston who received a call at 8:30 PM EST. “This man, he just… he told me he wanted to go to a movie with me. It was incredibly strange, but he was so genuinely sad. I told him I was busy, but the whole thing was just… intense.”

Susan Baldwin, meanwhile, expressed a mixture of amusement and concern. “Dad really didn’t intend for this to happen,” she stated in a brief interview. “He just wanted to reach out, to feel… connected. But this? It’s a lot to process.”

The immediate impact on Baldwin has been significant. He’s reportedly overwhelmed by the sheer volume of calls and the attention he’s receiving. However, sources close to the actor suggest he’s beginning to cautiously embrace the unexpected outpouring of support.

As of this morning, the KROQ broadcast has been extended for another hour, with Lesperance assuring listeners that he will continue to facilitate the “Baldwin Date Request.” The long-term implications of this nationwide event remain to be seen, but one thing is certain: Seattle, and indeed the nation, is currently experiencing a decidedly unusual chapter in its history.