Well, TV has officially done it. They have finally shocked me with a new reality TV concept. FYI’s latest reality show, Married At First Sight is exactly what it sounds like – complete strangers meeting for the first time during their legal wedding ceremony, to eachother! All while being filmed for our viewing pleasure.
The gist of the show is that it’s a social experiment, using the concept of arranged marriage- by professional design. The group behind the pairings consists of a sexologist, spiritualist, psychologist and sociologist who use their combined expertise to find these willing participants their perfect match on paper. Once paired up, the participants then get ready for their wedding day to a person they’ve never met, spoken to or even seen. They don’t even know eachother’s names!
But the “experiment” doesn’t end there. Oh no, we need a full season’s worth of episodes! The participants are then forced to stay married, honeymoon and live together for four weeks all while the cameras are rolling. Viewers get to experience the awkward and uncomfortable dating period as each set of newlyweds get to know eachother. At the end of the four week period, the couples are finally allowed to decide whether or not they want to divorce, or stay married. Did I mention these are legal marriages?
You know, all kidding aside. This is maybe a good idea. FOR DATING. Marriage? I don’t think so. The idea of professionals using their expertise to find someone’s perfect match based on personality, values and compatibility, free from physical judgement, seems to make sense. It allows those who are unhappy with their dating history to step out of their comfort zone and self described “type” to find someone who is a good match for them long term.
But the kicker is, in reality (the real kind, not tv kind) YOU make the call after one, two or a even few dates of whether or not this is a good match. To be legally bound to a stranger, forced to cohabitate, while dating is a recipe for disaster (aka perfect for reality television). Not to mention, it takes a certain kind of person to apply to be on this type of show. The producers claim to have received thousands of applicants, which quickly dwindled down to 50 when they learned they would have to marry a total stranger. Personally, I’d prefer the odds of finding my perfect match out of thousands as opposed to 50. That’s a small pool of fish!
However ridiculous this is as a TV show, I get what they’re trying to argue. That sometimes we’re our own worst enemy when dating. Sometimes we let the bad on the outside, outweigh the good on the inside or the good on the outside outweigh the bad on the inside. Sometimes, love and trust take time to build and oftentimes people are too quick to dismiss a potential partner if the initial spark of physical attraction isn’t there. So, the producers want to see the outcome that arises if instead of quitting, these participants are forced into making it work. What they’re trying to discover is that if these couples are truly the best match on paper, is it possible to grow into love?
Again, I can see this working for dating. If people are seeking out a different type of matchmaking service, they’re obviously more willing to try something new. Make it part of the service that there’s a 3 date minimum otherwise they won’t be allowed a second match. This could have been a great, Bachelor worthy dating show. But as usual, ratings win. And how do you get ratings? Publicity. Which means the crazier the concept, the better.
Needless to say, we’re not buying this “social experiment” here at Brightside Films. What about you? Have you seen Married At First Sight? Either way, what are your thoughts on the show? Let us know in the comment section and check out the trailer below!