Though the back and forth isn’t surprising or revelatory, the system itself hasn’t been working in the last several seasons of the series. Whether it’s due to a lack of abilityfrom theMarried At First Sightexperts, a poor way of collecting background information about the potential cast members from the casting team, or a mix of those and other issues, the series has been struggling to make successful matches for years. Althoughmany have called forMAFSto change something from the inside out to make better decisions, things haven’t improved in the last few years.
While the conduct of theMarried At First Sightexperts hasn’t always been something fans condone or enjoy, they’re the group that viewers have had to put their trust into. Unfortunately, the majority of the matches on the show don’t work out, and that’s to be somewhat expected after the last few unsuccessful years ofMAFS.The experts haven’t been able to figure out what issues to tackle, nor have they been able to find a solution to the issues that the casting team has on the series, which often brings themMAFSparticipants who aren’t telling the truth.
As things haven’t been changing, many viewers have called for the removal of the current panel ofMarried At First Sightexperts. While things would clearly change if Dr. Pepper Schwartz, Dr. Pia Holec, andPastor Cal Roberson left the series, their departure from the show may not mean that there are more successful matches. Instead of calling for them to be replaced,someMarried At First Sightviewers have discussed the idea of a change in their process, along with a change in the way the series is cast.
Many people are interested in joiningMAFS,but that doesn’t necessarily mean they all fit the bill when it comes to casting the series. With a shift in the casting process and changes to the way theMAFSexperts make their matches,things could improve for the show’s lacking success rate. While it may not be entirely feasible, a change-up could be justwhatMarried At First Sightneeds.
8MAFS Should Redo Their Casting Questionnaire
Although theMarried At First Sightcasting questionnaire is available for everyone to see during the casting process,some viewers aren’t aware of the questions that potential participants are asked before their initial interviewsto be on the series. Current questions sometimes lack the depth needed to truly understand applicants' relationship histories, emotional readiness, or their commitment to an authentic marriage. WhiletheMAFSquestionnaire has general compatibility questions, they don’t delve deeply into communication, conflict resolution, or attitudes about finances and family planning. Revamping the questionnaire with comprehensive questions would allow experts to explore the applicants more thoroughly.
Whilethe questionnaire is only the first step in theMAFSparticipation process, it’s the easiest place for applicants to lie about what’s going on in their lives, relationships, and mindset. The questionnaire itself should focus more on the applicant’s mental health and goals, allowing the experts to understand if the applicant is worth pursuing at the current time because of the way they handle triggers, stressors, or past traumas. Overall, a well-rounded questionnaire would be a great step to improving theMarried At First Sightcasting and matchmaking processes, pushing for healthier, more successful relationships.
7MAFS Should Make Potential Cast Members Pass Mental Health Checks Pre-Casting
There Should Be More Psychological Testing
Along with theMarried At First Sightquestionnaire, the cast members should have to go through some serious mental health checks before their admittance to the matchmaking process. While theMAFSexperts do some mental health practiceswith the participants, the majority of the mental health checks that participants have to go through are kept private and done between the initial questionnaire and the matchmaking process.These practices don’t make it toMAFSon screen, nor are they ever really talked about.
Married At First Sightshould consider some more intensive mental health checksduring the initial phase of the casting process. Rather than waiting until cast members are nearly at the point of being matched,MAFSshould be keeping tabs on their potential cast members throughout the process, but especially early on when red flags are likely easier to spot. While most people can mask their mental health issues, being forthright with them or finding out what’s going on early could make a major difference on the show.
6MAFS Should Require Mental Health Checks From Unbiased Practitioners
They Need Better Ideas Of The Big Picture
Although it’s unclear who performs most of the mental health checks onMAFS,it’s clear that the experts do have some time with the participants to figure out whether they’re mentally fitfor the series.Married At First Sight’stwo resident doctors,Dr. Pepper and Dr. Pia, often do their best to bring some mental health practices into their interviews with participants as they move through the early phases of the matchmaking process. Even so, it shouldn’t solely be on them to take care of mental health facilitation.
TheMarried At First Sightteam should be bringing in unbiased practitioners to ensure their mental health checks and understanding of the participants are entirely removed from theMAFSprocess. While the experts know how to be unbiased, there are likely some biases that they don’t consciously realize coloring their perception of the participants during their mental health checks.Ensuring that the participants are of sound mind and understand what they’re signing up for is keyto futureMAFSsuccess.
5MAFS Should Look Deeply Into Participant Backgrounds
They Need More Information About The Past
Although theMarried At First Sightparticipants are vetted to ensure that there are no major red flags in their background, there have been issues where participants fall through the cracks and stain a season. Though things have changed since the early days of the showwhen participants likeMarried At First Sightseason 2’s Ryan De Ninowere cast,there are still cast members who exhibit some major red flags once on the series. Throughout the last few seasons, there have been difficult cast members on both sides of the aisle creating dangerous drama.
Married At First Sightshould be focusing on vetting their participants to weed out the potentially dangerous cast members, and expanding their focus to include people who may be emotionally manipulative, as well. While physical danger is of the utmost importance, manyMAFSparticipants come into the show with difficulties regulating their emotions from past experiences, and that can be harmful.The show would do better to get more information about the potential participants’ backgrounds, if possible.
4MAFS Should Weed Out Clout Chasers
Multi-State Applicants Shouldn’t Be Allowed
AlthoughMAFScasting has made it difficult for people who exhibit serious red flags to join the series, there are different ways that people who are looking for attention rather than affection join the cast.SomeMarried At First Sightparticipants wind up being cast members who are looking for cloutrather than for a loving relationship, hopeful that appearing on the show will allow them to build a following they can take outside of the series. With someMAFSparticipants clout chasing, it can be hard to tell who’s being genuine about their interest and who isn’t.
Despite knowing thatMarried At First Sighthas viewers who can spot clout chasers on the series, the experts often don’t find themselves weeding the clout chasers out of the final cast. Rather than focusing on people who are more genuine in their approach to theirMAFSmarriage, the experts often choose clout chasers in their place.Weeding out the clout chasers, likeMAFSseason 18’s groom Ikechiwho applied for the show twice before being cast, would be better for the long-term success of the series.
3MAFS Should Diversify The Panel Of Experts
They Need Different Points Of View
After years of focusing on similarMAFSexperts to come into the show with intellectual perspectives on what’s happening with the participants,the series should diversify its panel of experts for good. Though past seasons of the series have brought in other experts with different backgrounds and perspectives, they’ve often only had the supplemental experts for a few episodes at a time. Rather than bringing them on for the season, the extra experts are only available for certain situations.
Instead of bringing in new experts for differing opinions in just a few different circumstances,Married At First Sightshould enlist their panelof experts with a diverse mix of people. Experts who come from sociological backgrounds, from different age groups and nationalities, and from different places in life would help switch things up. With more diverse experts, the participants would get a range of points of view.
2MAFS Should Use More Psychological Practices In Their Matchmaking
They Shouldn’t Simply Stick To Talk Therapy
Typically, theMAFSexperts use some variations of talk therapy and couples counseling to move forward in the process and help them through various issues. While talking out issues and identifying major problems can be incredibly helpful,there are other methods of therapy that could be useful toMarried At First Sightparticipants, as well.MAFSparticipants would be better off on the show if other therapeutic practices were utilized, especially ones that help the experts psychologically understand them.
While talk therapy and counseling techniques should still be used,theMarried At First Sightexperts could look into other therapeutic techniquesto unearth issues that the participants may not even be aware of. By treating the experiment more like an experiment and less like a traditional relationship,MAFSparticipants may have the opportunity to work through problems in their marriages. New tactics could help shift the perspectiveon what theMAFSexperts can do.
1MAFS Should Bring In More Experts To Be Well-Rounded
They Could Do More With A Variety Of Voices
AlthoughtheMarried At First Sightexpertsare already doing what they can on the series, it would be beneficial to expand their team to give a more well-rounded point of view of the marriages. Despite the trio of experts working hard to give their input to each couple and try to provide them with the tools to succeed, the experts often seem like they’re spread too thin. With more experts on the show, there could be an interesting split in how they deal with each of the couples.
MoreMAFSexperts could make the series more interesting, as they’d be coming from different perspectives and backgrounds when dealing with the issues of each couple. Even thoughMarried At First Sightparticipants would have to do their part and open up about their problems, theMAFSexperts having more people involved would make it easier to continually be vulnerable. Expanding the team may not be feasible, butMAFScould benefit from it.
Married At First Sightairs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EDT on Lifetime.
Married At First Sight
Cast
Based on the Danish version of the series, Married at First Sight is a reality show/social experiment that gives singles a chance to find a lifelong partnership with one particular caveat: they must agree to marry a stranger arranged the moment they meet. Experts provide counseling and guidance as they help couples navigate their new marriage with their unknown partner and highlight the journey of the newlyweds from wedding to honeymoon to beginning their new lives together. At the end of eight weeks, couples will decide to stay married or divorce.
