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Are new matrimonial reality shows crossing the line?

Fox is developing "I Married a Stranger," a matrimonial reality series in which brides-to-be don't meet their husbands until they exchange vows. The CW already has a show, "Hitched or Ditched," in which unmarried couples are pressured with an offer for a made-for-TV wedding - then are given one week to decide if they want to go through with it. Are these premises fun and harmless, or do they send a message that marriage should be taken lightly? Share your thoughts here.

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Results with 1 short comment
Total of 700 votes

83.4%
Yes. They are making a mockery out of the institution of marriage.
584 votes
11.6%
No. It's just entertainment - people need to relax!
81 votes
5%
I'm not sure.
35 votes
Display Comments:
Yes. They are making a mockery out of the institution of marriage.

And folks wonder why we have 50% divorce rates? There is no pressure to be serious about your commitment anymore.

{"commentId":7523412,"threadId":"596363","contentId":"2899864","authorDomain":"jmg1674"}
    #1
     - phoenix316
     - 12:53 pm EDT on Mon Jun 8, 2009
    I'm not sure.

    With the "I married a stranger" show, well... arranged marriages have been happening for centuries. It's not a foreign idea.

    {"commentId":9508507,"threadId":"596363","contentId":"2899864","authorDomain":"asake3"}
      #2
       - Asake
       - 8:29 pm EDT on Tue Sep 15, 2009
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      Newsvine Discussion with 8 comments - Click here to jump to the comment form.

      {"commentId":7481960,"authorDomain":"doomum"}
      immaculate

      If these idiots want to participate in the show, let them. They will be sorry later.

      {"commentId":7481960,"threadId":"596205","contentId":"2899864","authorDomain":"doomum"}
      • 1 vote
      Reply#1 - Fri Jun 5, 2009 12:36 PM EDT
      {"commentId":7482085,"authorDomain":"jvanness1"}
      Skeptic-944596

      This has nothing to do with true arranged marriages that involve families from the same community who know one another. Setting up dates is one thing, but an actual marriage does make a mockery of the institution. Nobody thinks it will last, but once again we are displaying marriages as being disposable.

      {"commentId":7482085,"threadId":"596205","contentId":"2899864","authorDomain":"jvanness1"}
      • 1 vote
      Reply#2 - Fri Jun 5, 2009 12:42 PM EDT
      {"commentId":7483534,"authorDomain":"bgspols"}
      bgspols

      I do not understand anyone who would expose themselves in that way.   Some things are better in private or with a qualified counsellor

      {"commentId":7483534,"threadId":"596205","contentId":"2899864","authorDomain":"bgspols"}
        Reply#3 - Fri Jun 5, 2009 1:51 PM EDT
        {"commentId":7483629,"authorDomain":"evie"}
        evie-1141281

        I think this is over the line, especially with all the debate these days about the sanctity of marriage. Both sides of that argument should be insulted by this garbage, and I hope no one actually watches it.

        {"commentId":7483629,"threadId":"596205","contentId":"2899864","authorDomain":"evie"}
        • 1 vote
        Reply#4 - Fri Jun 5, 2009 1:56 PM EDT
        {"commentId":7485537,"authorDomain":"MikkelKnight"}
        Mikkel Knight

        I don't know if it goes too far, but it certainly proves that the whole "marriage" thing is a sham and farce. If this is allowed to take place, why is gay marriage banned?

        I can understand doing this for religious or cultural reasons (even though I don't agree with it), but these media-whores who just want to be on reality television (and apparently are willing to do anything to make it happen) just go to show that there is no reason that the State/Federal Government has ANY business whatsoever involved in marriage. Period.

        {"commentId":7485537,"threadId":"596205","contentId":"2899864","authorDomain":"MikkelKnight"}
        • 1 vote
        Reply#5 - Fri Jun 5, 2009 3:31 PM EDT
        {"commentId":7543127,"authorDomain":"chris-555284"}
        Chris-555284

        A marriage is a contract between you, your spouse, and the state. Unfortunately the government has to be involved with marriage. The state's agreement is to provide the benefits and protections if something happens to your spouse (disability, social security, etc).

        This show is not going to be a real marriage as the rest of us knows it. They are probably only going to have a ceremony and a honeymoon without doing all the proper paperwork filed with the courthouse to make it official. (What dummy would open themselves up to the real costs of a divorce on a whim?) Just another sham show for stupid people. The "reality" shows on VH1 have better ideas than this one.

        {"commentId":7543127,"threadId":"596205","contentId":"2899864","authorDomain":"chris-555284"}
        • 1 vote
        #5.1 - Tue Jun 9, 2009 1:26 PM EDT
        Reply
        {"commentId":7543410,"authorDomain":"stacey-eckman"}
        Ragekity

        "And folks wonder why we have 50% divorce rates? There is no pressure to be serious about your commitment anymore."

        Actually it's closer to 60% and this statistical trend developed long before the world of reality television. Perhaps if people stopped looking outwards towards those 'threatening' political and entertainment ideals and started working on their own marriages the trend would reverse.

        {"commentId":7543410,"threadId":"596205","contentId":"2899864","authorDomain":"stacey-eckman"}
        • 1 vote
        Reply#6 - Tue Jun 9, 2009 1:41 PM EDT
        {"commentId":7595845,"authorDomain":"jimmytong1"}
        jtm964

        marriages is over rated!! it's just a piece of papers that does not guarantee a faithful heart.

        happily ever after?? it's a fantasy!!!

        {"commentId":7595845,"threadId":"596205","contentId":"2899864","authorDomain":"jimmytong1"}
          Reply#7 - Fri Jun 12, 2009 12:46 AM EDT
          {"canLink":false,"threadId":"596205","isPrivate":false}
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