“Winning” with the Marriage Ref
ByI hate most reality shows. They are just so stupid. Providing 15 minutes of fame to someone who is willing to bare their soul (read: look like an idiot because that’s what brings in ratings) to millions of strangers in TV land. But, there is one show that is proving to be quite interesting – The Marriage Ref.
When I heard Eva Longoria Parker was going to be one of the first celebrity panelists. I thought either she really is a Desperate Housewife, or this show has got some muscle behind it.
So, we watched. It’s not bad. In fact, it’s actually really funny without being laborious or too condescending.
The show has a simple premise: A couple has a long-standing issue. They allow their disagreement to be filmed. A panel of celebrities then weighs in on the issue and gives advice to The Marriage Ref, Tom Papa, who ultimately declares who’s right. The Marriage Ref provides what we all want. A winner. End of fight.
The celebrities so far have included some heavy weights – Madonna, Ricky Gervais, Alec Baldwin, Larry David, Kelly Ripa, Jerry Seinfeld, and, of course, Eva.
An added bonus is I feel really good about Husband.
I am fortunate that I am not married to a man who wants to stuff his dog (it died) and put it in the living room. Or, that he wants to keep a prosthetic leg of his former (now dead) spouse. Or, that he has a dining room table that we’re only allowed to use once a year (Thanksgiving). Otherwise, it sits empty, though fully “dressed,” looking pretty. Or, that he treats the pet Iguana better than me. These are the things other married couples are dealing with.
(At one point Ricky Gervais noted, this is madness. This is the weirdest show I have ever been on. Like I’ve always said, marriage — it’s funny.)
So, got an issue? NBC is seeking couples who want what we all want – a final answer. I understand its permanent home will be Thursday night, 10 p.m. Eastern, on NBC.
