I'm so happy to see this thread. I was so enraged by the obvious positioning of this program that I immediately changed the channel and didn't see one second of it.

How DARE they interrupt the closing ceremonies for the Olympics with this insulting garbage.

Who wants to sit and watch so-called celebrities riff on the worst of the common people in the world? Does Jerry Seinfeld think we are all idiots and morons?

I can guarantee I will never watch a single episode of this drivel.

Hi Free the Gosselin 8: Believe me, you would have only gotten madder had you watched. I was surpised to see them clip the closing ceremonies that way, too? PS What did you think of the closing ceremonies? Thanks. Z

.

Hi Z,

I have to totally agree with this assessment. I watched a history of game shows the other night and it was interesting. The "Wheel Of Fortune" and Merv Griffin who sat in his kitchen thinking about questions for "Jeopardy" and his wife gave him the idea of answers and then forming a question from it.

Something like that would be more entertaining. And absolutely the stuffed dog. Yikes. Hated that.

Hi Sherry, Thanks for the vote of agreement. "Wheel" and "Jeopardy" are genius compared to this schlock. Thanks for sharing your reaction. It makes me feel better about mine. Z

I loved the Marriage Ref! I'm looking forward to seeing Madonna, Larry David, Tina Fey, and Martin Short in future episodes.

Gosh, Z, I just watched and I just read. This is the 1st time in awhile I disagree with your summary. But, I am not a media critic either.

Oh, Zloggers have I told you lately I love this zlog? I am going to have to admit here and now I am addicted to Z on TV. I now have watched things on more channels than ever before. My life used to consist of Lifetime. Then Tlc caught my eye. Now I watch all kinds of stuff on channels. I can get through a Foxnews show, Cnn, ABC, TNT, NBC, and CBS. I promise ya'll this even if the raputure comes today I will NEVER watch TLC again.

Which brings me to Natale Morales, the well known defense atty, get her back to your day job.

Ok moving on.............

1. Can anyone of the zloggers please reveal if you are one of the 1000 people in America with a stuffed dead pet? If you are the Zlogger of the Day award goes to you.

2. The stripper poll. I always love our husbands drag them to church in my house the Fundamental Independant BaptisT Preacher who preaches the King James as the only bible. Well, the only time a husband uses the words of the preacher "man is the head of the house" is when they want something!!!

All that said. This is not an hour long show. Would make a great 1/2 hour show though.

Also, the couples seemed like they were acting a little. It was still funny.

Kelly Ripa is fun. Seinfeld held back a little. Baldwin needs to go get a job from the Boss at White Castles on the show Undercover boss.

Common zloggers laughter is the best medicine. It had some good laughs in it.

OK, Irene. We'll have to agree to disagree on this one. I definitely agree about laughter being the best medicine, and all of us in this country needing more of it. And comedy can definitely be a subjective thing. So, I think this could be a fun thread to see which side the zloggers and zluggers come down on. Sherry had me feeling confident, but now I am, heading off to bed worried. Thanks a lot, Irene. (Kidding). Seriously, I am glad we all feel comfortable enough with each other to say how we feel whether or not we agree. Z

Hi Free,
The closing Olympic ceremonies were supposed to come back right after the local news at 11:00 p.m. or at least that is what my NBC channel said. It is on now. I can see why people would be upset.

I am so mad at NBC that I won't even watch their local news anymore. The Marriage Ref is so incredibly bad. We missed live music for this?

Horrible move, NBC. I am removing you from my digital tuner.

As an aside, Dan almost definitely collects a paycheck from NBC.

Someone just waisted alot of money on this farse called entertainment.

Just when I thought Turn-On was the worst programming decision of all time .. now comes NBC's programming master minds! What nincompoops!!

"Nincompoops" -- that's the word I was looking for. Thanks. That gets the NBC executive mindset just about right, though, you might be a little kind in that analysis. Ha. Z

Man what a DOG! Not "reality", not nothing! Really stupid!

I don't know why "Bridezillas" came to mind when I watched the first few minutes of Marriage Ref. Bridezillas has GOT to be the worst thing on TV. I wonder if Seinfield is in dire need of cash?? Why else would he do something like this?

I'm babbling. Unbelievably bad TV does that to me. I'll stop now.

W is for the 2 minutes I wasted watching Marriage Ref.

I am apopleptic. I am livid! that they cut the last half hour of the closing ceremonies to air this dreck, and then "pad" the last half hour into late night "hour", and yet even with that tape delay Costas still has to talk over events.

Since most Olympics watchers are trying to get back to their less sleep deprived ways, the poor Canadians will have their last impression being Giant Beavers and floating moose.

Sigh. It was silly and very Canadian humor, but....sigh.

I liked the music in late night without being interrupted by silly interviews or Costas fapping. I liked the real mounties. I loved the way the final torch arm was "fixed".

I'm going to take your word for how bad the Marriage Ref is. I was turned off by it from the ubiquitous ads and too angry to watch it or WBAL's broadcast after NBC's "Heidi" stunt.

Oh but I do have a question (if you're still reading this, Z), do you know if they're using Conan's Tonight Show set to film that Seinfeld thing?

If I had any money in this stupid show, I would be looking for whoever took the bribe to put it on the air. Thank heaven for all of the things I recorded that I could watch until it was over.

This is the worst excuse for a TV show I ever saw in my life.

What a shame NBC wasted all those promos on this stinker - it will be interesting to see if the ratings dropped like a stone when NBC cut to this bomb.

Irene, Z and I need to turn you on to PBS really soon if you're not watching it.

I was loving the closing ceremonies as I have since my earliest memories of the Olympics. Always a touch of sadness at the end of the Games for me, but I love the celebration, the goodwill, and the effort made by each of the very talented and driven athletes.

I also miss Jim McKay so much it hurts. Bob Costas gets on my nerves something awful for some reason I haven't been able to figure out.

Anyway, I was really enjoying the ceremony until I was suddenly jarred and tossed right out of the moment. Not even an authentic segue. Hmmmpf.

Not smart programming for NBC. Not smart at all. It left me all cranky for the rest of the night.

I miss Jim McKay, too. Thanks for reminding readers of his greatness. Z

Okay Z, I am really going to bed now. Wasn't it rumored that I was going to bed an hour ago. haha

I am caught up in the Olympic closing ceremonies.

Goodnight everyone.

Worst show I have ever seen. Ever !

That Marriage Ref show was awful. I can't believe I wasted a 1/2 hour. It'll bomb for sure.

I liked the closing ceremony, especially when Michael J. Fox came out and spoke, He looked and sounded great and the audience welcomed him so warmly. Also, enjoyed Neil Young, gee, his song brought back memories of the 70's. I really like Canada's national anthem. I noticed very often throughout the games when Canada won golds that when the Canadians stood on the podium, they were joyfully singing Oh Canada. I liked that it was a running theme tonight.

I did think that it was good that special attention was given to the young man that was killed. I'm glad that he was not forgotten in the ceremony.

Well, that's my thoughts for now, I'm sure more will come tomorrow.

You are all idiots, this show was funny, Jerry Seinfeld is amazing no matter what network he is on and he could be on any and probably own one... it's called business on how they premiered this show! I am a business person and would do the same! Quit bitching people its tv...

I LOVED IT. MY HUSBAND AND I LAUGHED HYSTERICALLY. WHY IS EVERYONE SO NASTY...OH YOU MUST LIKE JERSEY SHORE BETTER. IT WAS PLAIN OLD FUN. LIGHTEN UP. I WILL WATCH! USUALLY I AGREE WITH YOU, NOT THIS TIME. SORRY. MAYBE YOU COULD USE AN "ANGER REF."

this is only makes firing conan in favor of leno even worse
they were surprised to see leno fail at 10pm ... they were surprised to see leno fans follow leno to 10pm making it harder for conan to build a new audience ... and now they replace leno with this?
jerry and kelly, yeah whatever ... but alec baldwin is on 30 rock!!! what is he doing wasting his time with this?
this show isn't even a step up from something you'd see on nickelodeon ... and they dare to mock the olympics with it
only a network stupid enough to fire conan would do something like this ... and it proves that, without larry david, jerry would still be working for $50 a week at the comedy connection

What it seemed to me was that the closing ceremony ran much longer than NBC was expecting. They were committed to airing that Marriage Ref preview on Sunday night, and after the Olympics portion of the ceremony was over, they made the decision to delay the rest of the music performances.

They were in a no-win situation at that point, being committed to airing two programs. If they had just cancelled the preview, some people (obviously, not the same people) would have been upset over that.

As someone who watched both, though, I can definitely testify that the concert was way superior to The Marriage Ref.

Z, am I correct in thinking I read that this show has been a developmental disaster? I am pretty sure I've read/heard that this show has had to be reworked multiple times and it STILL stinks.

I think the concept of the show is great! It's just about having a few laughs with a few celebs regarding long term relationships, and the funny quirks that come along with being with someone that you love for a long time or in a commited relationship. Viewers need to relax and not expect this to "Save primetime" omg, get a life people, just go with the laughs, and enjoy some celebs that we love seeing. I do however suggest they get some cuter couples with cuter issues to be more appealing to audiences though. Any cute blonde wives, with cuter issues than "stuffed dogs" though, coming in any of the episodes,,that's what viewers LOVE! Just how I see it, hope it helps.

How incredibly disappointing!! It was SOOOO FAKE!!! and NOT EVEN FUNNY!!

Jerry Jerry Jerry what were you thinking?You are much more creative than this.

I'm sorry. If I was an actor, I'd be ashamed to be on that show.

Putting it on after the Olympic Closing ceremony--just made it more moronic than it is.

OH I KNOW THERE'S GOT TO BE SOME GOOD WRITERS IN HOLLYWOOD WHO CAN WRITE SHOWS. NO MORE REALITY SHOWS PLEASE!!!!

People are upset NBC cut away from the closing ceremonies? Are you kidding me? What, you wanted to see more Nickelback and inflatable beavers? Jesus H.

The Marriage Ref wasn't that great, but it wasn't that bad, either. It screams midseason replacement, right? That's because it is a midseason replacement. Give it another episode or two and if it still sucks, don't watch it. I plan to do the same.

NBC continues to show that it has no class. I was watching the Vancouver Olympics closing ceremonies when Al Michaels, as if surprised by his director, blurted out that NBC would be switching to the Marriage Ref, without so much as a wrap-up, or announcement that the rest of the closing ceremonies would be broadcast after the 11:00 news (which it was) I then sat through 30 minutes of the most inane TV I have seen in a long time. It was clear that the vast majority of this “spontaneous” program was heavily scripted, apparently by Saturday Night Live writers, or someone equally inept to write comedy.
GE should can every stuffed shirt at NBC and just start over. The guys they currently have can’t find good programming because they apparently don’t have a clue as to what constitutes good programming.

Dumb show. I love Jerry Seinfeld . . . but this makes me think that Larry David was a much bigger part of the success of "Seinfeld" than we realized.

One of those things that must have looked good on paper -- all these recognizable celebrities commenting on REAL couples airing their "hilarious" problems. They can crank the audience laughter up to 10, but it doesn't make this idea funny. Never will.

This was a low blow nbc!!! I bet their plan was to build the momentum by having lots of people watch the first half of the ceremony, then immediately switch to marriage ref... tsk tsk

I wonder if NBC's programming department thinks their viewing audience is stupid? No wonder they are failing. I want to watch television that's going to do one of three things, humor me, intrigue me or educate me.

I would rather watch something somewhat dry but interesting like the American Experience on PBS.

I had read somewhere a couple years ago that NBC was going to focus it's primetime programming on inexpensive reality shows in order to cut costs. But don't you need a quality program to generate revenue. No wonder NBC is performing poorly. I think they look down on their viewing audience.

Well Z, my big laugh for today was this post of yours, so thanks, I needed that.

I was so insulted that they cut from the closing ceremonies--I was in shock that they did that. I heard that 1st husband describing his pain at losing her beloved dog when it cut to the kitchen with his sassy wife telling us that the day his dog died was actually the happiest day of her life--I could not watch another second of this crap and immediately changed the channel. I did not realize that the end piece of the ceremonies would run after this unfunny preview--so I totally missed it. Does anyone know the content of the final 30 minutes?

For those complaining about the closing ceremony, if you checked back at 11:00, you wouldn't have missed a thing (and how many of you actually LIKE Avril Lavigne?). For those remembering old shows you loved, it was those shows that got kicked off the air because of low ratings. And for those with no senses of humor, Alec Baldwin making fun of a guy for stuffing his dead dog is ACTUALLY funny. The show might seem gimmicky, but it brings some much needed humor into your otherwise dull lives. And for those reminded of your own terrible marriages, which seems to be all of you, try not to be so touchy (maybe you try out for the show).

I was shocked that NBC cut from the closing ceremony (which had interesting moments, but seemed WAY too busy, too many things to see at once) to preview a new show. I understand it is all about money (we've had a commercial after every single participant for 2 weeks now), but I agree with whoever said Jim McKay is turning over in his grave.

"The Marriage Ref" might succeed on local cable (think "Wayne's World") in a small town where everyone knows everyone else's business. As network TV, though, oh my gosh, someone needs to be fired. (and Jerry Seinfeld needs to give the money back)
It's all about 15 minutes of fame, isn't it? Apparently, Americans will share anything for a spot on national TV.

I only caught a few minutes of the "Stripper Pole" bit as I was flipping channels and watching the Closing Ceremonies. I found the audio feed was horrible, I had a hard time hearing. If this is another show where "celebrities" talk over one another and ridicule us lesser mortals, I'm definitely out. People will do anything to get on tv. I can't wait for the fallout, when a marriage "intervention" goes wrong (and you know it will).

Thank God we don't have to watch NBC in Canada. Bob Costas is arrogant and condescending to say the least.

If Jerry Seinfeld helps couples across America realize differences are a normal part of every intimate relationship and that they can often be addressed with humor, structure, and empathy, he’ll make a meaningful contribution to millions of families. Ultimately, viewers will realize they can be their own marriage refs, which may not be great news for marriage therapists, but can be a leap forward for marriages themselves.

I tuned in for a few minutes of this show. My mouth was open at how horrendous it was. Boy, how low has NBC sunk.

I can't believe there are actual people, few in number as they are, attempting to defend this non-show as being entertaining. Alec Baldwin probably couldn't keep an ant farm alive, and heaven knows he'd be better at that than marriage, and yet he's dispensing opinions on relationships? And Jerry Seinfeld thinks scouring the countryside for people so desperate to be on TV they'd subject themselves to rude jokes at their expense is comedy gold? He must have forgotten his humanity along the way to getting rich off overrated sitcoms, that's how little he thinks of the viewing public.

Maybe it's not too late to find the producers of Conveyor Belt Of Love. Because anything's gotta be better than The Marriage Ref.

Another example of NBC's extremely poor decision-making in cutting away from the closing ceremonly to air that idiotic show. I was so angry and felt completely insulted as a viewer to have this happen in favor of a reality show that completely sucked. And just because Seinfeld was involved doesn't matter. I would be embarrassed if I was him. Watched the dead dog part and turned off the TV in disgust.

Yes, I agree, Michelle. The dead dog part was one of the most wretched aspects of the program. And yes, I think the idea here is people will buy any junk as long as someone of Seinfeld's stature endorses it. I think they are wrong, and as I said, I am kind of stunned to Seinfeld so off the mark and out of it on this one. Z

Ha ha Freegosselin8, actually I have been known to watch a thing or two lately on PBS. I have been watching alot more channels since coming here on Z on TV with ya'll.

Sorry, but I still think it is a funny off the cuff show Zloggers. I understand and sympathize with the Olympic cut in. I would say judging only from the snapshot so far here from the comments that NBC is gonna get some backlash for doing that. Since I kinda have a little grudge against them I say serves um right to be criticized.

But, the show was funny. Common how many of us have had a spouse that does something that is really trivial in the scheme of things and that spouse is insistent? Everyday life is funny guys. I would rather see this kind of thing where laughter and good will are really the draw.

Further Z, this isnt fair to compare to Wheel of Fortune. You know I love ya like a zlogger Dad but people on that show spin a wheel, exercise their minds to figure something out. I love that show and it has provided for an audience a long time. This show is attempting to do something different. That is can you laugh at how funny the argument between the spouse really is?

We keep trying to regurgitate the same old formats on television. We really need to step out of the box once in awhile. Common even if the arguments are coached a little. Everyone on the panel and the spouses were laughing trying to keep a straight face.

Z, sure it might be fun to take a few episodes and then banter afterwards back and forth who should have won and why. It would further be fun for a zlogger regular to step up and agree to be a judge for that particular show and tell us which zlogger wins the argument.

Thinking outside the box.....that is my thought for the day.

p.s. My husband Donnie wants to know if zloggers would like us to agree to be on the show. Judges can judge whether I am on Z ON TV way too much or not.

See?

Wow Irene, that is an intriguing idea. It could work, too. But that would mean I would have to watch more of this show. Ha. Kidding. But it would favor you because you like the show. Let me think about this a minute. I think I might be getting myself into something here that I will regret. Seriously, though, there is support on both sides of the divide today. So, I will continue to follow. Busy day and then I have to do DWTS announcement and Leno in latenight. I wonder which nightowl zloggers will be keeping me company. Z

I was turned off by all the whopping laughter in the commerceals for this show, so I didn't watch it last night. What I did find hilarious in its aufulness was the preview of the upcoming Sochi winter olympics that was inserted into the closing ceremony last night. Here are some of the things I found funny: the pained (frightened?) expression on the face of the mayor of Sochi, the five-minute long national anthem (I hope they don't sing all ten, or whatever, verses when a Russian wins a gold medal at Sochi), the butterfly woman standing on top of a bubble singing Russian words to "Stanger in Paradise" from the 1953 musical Kismet, at least one glimpse of socialist realism sculpture in the form of heroic workers marching into the collective futue, and the general disharmony of the too-long segment. Maybe the Russians could hire the true genius who put on the Beijing ceremonies. I've being undiplomatic, but I hope the Russians lighten up a little. In contrast, the Canadians seemed to be relieved the whole thing was over and were having a great time.

Z, Two words to describe "The Marriage Ref:" Train wreck. I didn't last five minutes. This will be cancelled very quickly, especially given that it's scheduled to compete against either "CSI" or "The Mentalist" on Thursday. (Not certain of the time it's scheduled to air.)

Irene wrote: Common zloggers laughter is the best medicine. It had some good laughs in it.
-----------------------------
Sure, laughter is great, when it's clean humor.

I personally don't find humor in laughing at someone's marriage issues.

I don't see any value in setting one side up to win and one to lose, because marriages work best when both sides win.

I see this show as yet another nail in the coffin. Marriage as an institution is already struggling. Do we have to desensitize society even further?

All I could think was damn. I mean talk about creating ill will right off the bat. I mean it's not like I was looking forward to most of the musical performances but damn.

At the best people stuck through the show at worst people now hate NBC more and now have ill will towards a show that they might not have (although the previews looked awful and a few of those panelist should be far from giving marriage advice).

Before this I thought NBC did a good job with their coverage of the Closing Ceremonies (the rest not so much). I liked how they managed to show it in it's "entirety" despite the commercial breaks. But all that good will was instantly squandered once they cut away (and I then decided it was time for bed).

Just a mind blowingly bad decision. Which is not surprising coming from NBC.

I thought the switch was abrupt - didn't realize there was more the closing ceremonies...

On the Marriage Ref - I thought it had potential from the commercials. After the first segment - which was clearly staged - I was out. If you have to stage "reality" for it to be funny, then it wasn't funny to begin with. *sigh*

At least The Office is a new episode this week!

The closing ceremony was awful. I'd have been happy if they cut away for an hour long infomercial. Michael Buble and inflatable beavers? Really? I expected a lot more from the country that brought us Cirque de Soleil.

Boy ya'll are challenging me today on this one.

Yes, Hope marriages do work both when both sides win but is that realistic outcome in this world? BTW thanks for challenging me. I am loving this.

I have a friend whose husband loves racing. It drives my friend batty sometimes but she supports him doing it. I am telling you here and now if these two friends were contestants on this show it would be hilarious to see the argument play out. lol

Pairs thanks for the support about the positive energy that can be derived from the show.

I watched the marriage ref last night and agree that it was borderline unwatchable. The concept has some potential, but to me, the big problem was the couples/issues that were chosen for this show.

Americans have proven time and again that our love for our pets can not be underestimated. So, of course, the first segment NBC chose to show essentially mocks a guy for loving his pet. Was it a little weird that he built a grotto for his stuffed dog? Sure, but that doesn't change the fact that it was 15 minutes that could only alienate pet lovers.

Then, they follow it up with a guy that wants to put in an "exercise" pole. Is there any way to argue in favor of that? I think Seinfeld sided with the husband only so that there was at least one dissenting opinion.

Is it possible to salvage this? Maybe. First, they need to have couples with disagreements that viewers can more easily relate. By NBC's own admission, only 1000 people in the US stuff their pets (that is less than one-thousandth of a percent of the population, although, like you, I find NBC's "facts" dubious, at best).

Or, if they want to keep the outrageous issues, then the panelists need to dig deeper and try to find a broader meaning in those issues. They did that a little bit with the "exercise" pole, saying that it shows a desire to try new things and spice up the relationship. But too often, the panelists just went for the cheap, easy joke. Off the top of my head, the broader issues for each couple were: 1) dealing with loss as a couple and being sensitive to each other's feelings even when you differ in how you feel/react to a situation. 2) how to keep a relationship from becoming staid and predictable while at the same time respecting/acknowledging the other person in the relationship.

There is plenty of comedy in those themes, but there is also the possibility that focusing on those things would elevate the show and allow it to connect with people on a different, more effective level.

The other issue is Seinfeld. I love Jerry, have seen his standup, compulsively watch Seinfeld reruns, and relate most of my everyday experiences to situations on that show. But he is not the same person that he portrayed on Seinfeld. His comedy is darker, more subtle, and at times condescending. To me, the comparison is Letterman/Leno. Seinfeld, as a person, is more like Letterman, but after the sitcom, people expect him to be Leno. When they tune into marriage ref, they want a happy-go-lucky guy, and that is not what they are going to get. I realize there is no way this show gets greenlighted without him, but his presence is going to ultimately drag it down.

It is probably ridiculous to waste this much analysis on a show that is not going to last more than six episodes. But, whatever, it is Monday. As far as breaking away from the Olympics. They have had the time set for marriage ref for weeks. In classic NBC fashion, they tied their own hands when they did not have to. At least the only thing they were preempting was nickelback.

What's NBC?

Hi Z,

My husband and I watched the Marriage ref. I think my husband thought it was funnier than I did. I just could not get past the 1st couple and the dead boston terrier. I'm not sure that that couple should be married to each other. The dog is the husband best friend and the wife hates it. Yikes!

Irene, I do agree that married people do crazy things and sometimes, let little things get way out of proportion. I just don't think the way this couple felt about the dog was just a little issue. They were at polar opposite positions. It made me feel bad for the dog.

My husband was joking around about getting our 3 boxers stuffed when they die. I was stunned. I thought the stuffed dog was totally creepy.

My 3 adult sons have been fans of Larry David for a long time. Me, not so much. But, last night made me rethink Larry David's role in the success of Seinfeld.

Hey would this help my case?

If I can find 1,000 zloggers across the zlogosphere to support this show, can we follow it Thursday night?

lololololololololol

Alex M, Sherry T, anyone out there? What steps do PR companies take (outside of the nasty TLC) to get a show a fair break? I got my work cut out for me today it looks like. I am glad I, like Natale Morales,(oh, that lady just rubs me wrong) has not quit her day job!

Yes, Irene, I forgot to tease you about the fact that you are championing a show that features Ms. Morales. I hope I don't find out you are wearing an earpiece now. Ha. Z

Hi Z,

I will be the late night owl that will be there to keep you company. Since I watched "Undercover Boss", I missed "39 Steps". I found out it will be re-broadcast on March 2nd at 3:00 a.m. on PBS, so I am becoming a real late night TV watcher.

Irene, Ann the late night owl up above agrees with you, she and her husband laughed their heads off.

I think I would like the show better if the couples they chose acted a little less like they were acting. Hey, I might give it another try, I like Larry David.

Hang-in-there Z maybe this will grow on us.

Hi Sherry, Thanks. We'll be talking later then. Also, PBS often has films like that online after they air. You might try PBS.org, and go to the link for Masterpiece Classic if you don't want to wait until it airs. Thanks. Z

Oh sorry that was amy d @1:59 a.m. up above that is on your side Irene.

I will have to agree that I was surprised that Jerry Seinfeld put this out. It seems like he could do so much better. Seinfeld was a first rate show. He seemed a little off on this show to me like he was not on his comedic edge last night. It seemed a little forced I thought. Maybe he will relax. But, Alex Baldwin did make me laugh. Even though I don't like the show really.

As previously mentioned, it was absurd interrupting the closing Olympic ceremonies for this "show."
The most unfortunate thing is, the "dumbing down" of America continues. How very sad.

The reason the Russian woman sang what one commenter thought was "Stranger in Paradise" is that the music is actually one of the Polovetzian Dances by Nicolai Borodin, a famous Russian composer. The words may have been a translation of American lyrics, but the music is all Russian.

Inserting earpiece......

Hi folks in Z on TV land.

Gregory @ 10:29am it was just the 1st show. Thanks for giving some pointers on what could make the show Marriage Ref better.

Everyone please wipe the slate clean Seinfeld is not rehashing his hit show Seinfeld. He is tapping into funny in American Marriage modern day. I think he used those 1st 2 couples to invoke this kind of response. It is getting talked about pretty good.

Greg it would be great to use more everday things. Like spouses that play video games too much, fish too much, moms that go to the spa too much (let me eat that one right now, scratch that, oh wait Kate Gosselin is not married anymore) moms that use the credit card for 8 pairs of a shoe with slightly different shades.

Thanks Greg! (Just so you know I love the Leno/Letterman comparison there. But, I slightly disagree that Seinfeld will bring the show down.)

Sherry T. I am gonna give you a free pass. We always agree. I wanna see where this goes today with us being on different sides of the fence.

Hi Natal..., whoops, I'm sorry, I mean Irene. Ha. I am going to tease you about backing NM for at least a decade, Irene. (Seriously, I was reminded this weekend how much I love kidding around with some of the folks here, and you are definitely one of them. And I know you can KID RIGHT BACK, so I am bracing myself.) Z

Nothing like clueless celebrities trying to ruin marraige for the rest of the population. Alec Baldwin? Really, he's giving marraige advice? Please. Cradle Robber Seinfeld? Gimmie a break.

Blech, I wont watch thi sshow for a second.

Hi Irene,

Maybe they used Natale Morales for the PR. You know how she draws a crowd whereever she goes. lol

I actually was surprised to see her on the show. They had her at a desk shuffeling papers like she would on an NBC news desk. It seemed like she was kind of a side thought.

1000 people stuff their dogs, they are on your side Irene.

Z, watch out for Irene she is on a roll this afternoon by tonight she will be out of control!!!

Love ya BZF!

Don't think I am not worried. I remember the day you and Irene drove the count of comments up at Z on TV like a couple of Senate or House floor leaders driving votes for a piece of Lyndon Johnson legislation in the 1960s. I am fully braced for every regular at this site who said they hated "Marriage Ref" to do a 180 by the end of the day and be voting with Irene on this one -- and saying how much they admire Ms. Morales to boot. Ha. PS Given that you were kind of on the fence, I am expecting you to switch any minute on me. I bet you and Irene are negotiating behind closed doors right now just like a couple of Senate Democrats on the healthcare bill. Ha. This is fun. Z

Oh, didn't you hear Z? (Do I have to spoon feed this zlog everything?) they are gonna replace Natale. Thursdays episode rumor Tabloid Express is rumoring that Ed Oneill (aka Modern family dad & former Al Bundy from Married with Children) is sending NM back to her day job and he is going to give the facts and only the facts!

Lordie Bee!!!!!!

~nm~

Touche, my friend. And yes, I am starting to believe I do need spoon feeding. I knew this was going to get nasty. Ha. Z

Hey Z,

It will only get more fun. Irene and I have something to post on Friday that will get some people on both sides fired up. You haven't seen anything yet, and I will leave it at that.

Yes, it will be fun tonight and with the return of Leno on the tonight show tonight we are all going to be wound up.

Have a great afternnoon! Irene and I are going behind closed doors now. ha

Oh, my gosh Sherry T....I am laughing so hard I am crying right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Between what you said....and what Z came back with I could not counter that exchange for a zillion bags of monkey munch.

Sherry T always keep that open mind. It is priceless.

Hi Irene, It is 5:17 p.m., and I found another I failed to post. I am definitely slipping. You can officially call for a recount and throw out the results of today. Z

Sherry T. and Irene: You should be doing your 'writing' the proper way (you know, the Gosselin way) and hole up in a 5 star hotel for 72 hours to do all writing. Didn't you two listen to HER at all? Kidding.
I agree, A. Baldwin is the LAST person I want marriage advice from with his track record on his.

Never mind the "stars" of the show, what the heck is Natalie Morales thinking? She was completely out of place, and IMO it's a dumb move on her part and will not be good for her career.

I could not agree more Sushi-Girl. Thanks. Z

@Sherri. You may have another option for 39 Steps

Comcast's ondemand has the current Masterpiece Theater up for a week in their queue (It's in an odd place like history and nature and/or local). Not sure about Verizon/DirectTV.

Hi Z...always enjoy your work, but I think you may be a little harsh here. It's not great TV, but it is inoffensive AND it does provide a chance for celebrities to riff a bit just for fun. I thought Alec Baldwin was great too. I can see this being a modest hit for NBC...better than that loser Leno. Oh, and I will absolutely NOT watch Leno tonight. I want Conan!

Hi Tom, There are other folks here who agree with you. Thanks. Z

Thanks Tom- My hero my dad was named Tom so is my brother.

Can you just see some of the stars they could pick? I would love to see some of the past television stars like Roseanne, Reba, and, maybe a well, I can't think zlogger block but I think you get my point.

Thanks again. I am keeping a running tally here. I have to make sure this whole for/against this show doesn't get a missed dimple, or chad, and I get cheated out of a vote.

Z, we may need to get Carla in at the end of the day to give the final results! Hi Carla! :-) Not that I don't trust you. ha!

ZLOGGERS: We need some more ballots filled out for the Marriage Ref Show.Pleases show your support for your zlogger friend and this new show.

Oh Irene, I am so disappointed to find that you don't trust me to be posting all the pro-Seinfeld comments. This hurts me too deeply for words. Ha. And worse, you trust Carla, who you only met online a couple of times more than me. How fast the bonds of friendship wither under direct competition. Don't know about direct soliciting as you are doing under the heading "ZLOGGERS" here. And if I find out Tom is from Mississippi, we are going to the booth for an instant replay review of the appropriatness of including his comment.....Z

Don't worry Irene we are on three things Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of zlogging!!

At the end of the day today Z can tally up all the votes yes for the Ref and all the votes no for the Ref and declare a winner. And don't even try a reconciliation Irene because I will be waiting with a filibuster.

TEAM Z!

P.S. barbee we are off to the Five Star hotel now!

Hi Sherry I just saw this at 5:10 p.m. I missed it somehow. I know Irene is going to say this part of a plot. But it was an honest oversight. Z

Sorry Z,

No offense but all is fair in love and zlogging!

Religion, politics, sex, Gosselins, and now zlogging! The sky is the limit on Z on TV!

I know that about all being fair, Irene. Lordie bee, I know that. Ha. Z

Hi The Other Irene,

Thank you so much for that information. Everyone here is very helpful! Yes, I will check that out. We have Time Warner and I think that is the same as ComCast.

Thanks again. Have a great afternoon!

Z, I missed this one but heard a clip of it on the radio this morning. The big issue was whether to put up a stripper pole in the house? Oh, to have such minor problems.

What interests me more is the actual, real celebs that are guesting on the show - not just reality fools and D-level talent. Kelly Ripa and Alec Baldwin were among the guests.

Does anyone besides me wonder if all these reality and game shows will seem silly in 20 years? I mean, circus with the stars was a big event on Saturday nights when I was growing up. Now, it just seems laughable. (Which by the way, seemed more enjoyable than the Marriage Ref.)

Yes, I remember "Circus." As bad as it was, I think it topped "Ref." Z

I don't know Irene, I think Z should tally up all the votes at the end of the day. I trust him to see who wins on the "Marriage Ref" show.

I might just be coming over to your side.

Sending Starbucks coupons for you for tonight Z. I think you will need some!

"All is fair in love and war and TV".

See, I could feel Sherry T. heading in Irene's direction. I am just glad I had time to prepare for her switching sides on me that way. I'm bracing for a stampede in Irene's direction. Z

Anonymous,

You don't have to wait 20 years, it's really silly now.

Oh Lord! This just solidifies my suspicion that NBC is becoming obsessed with "faux-lebrities". Let's not forget their love affair with the "Queen of Unrealityishness", Katie Irene! She's about as faux-lebrity as you can get.

Don't know if I can watch it. Even if they do replace Natalie Morales with Ed O'Neil. And I have to agree with the folks who commented on choosing Alec Baldwin to assess anyone's marriage. Huh?

Irene...... For you, I will give it one more episode. If it proves to be better than the debut, then I'll have to reconsider. Sadly, if I had been given a choice between Bob Costas being his obnoxious self and the whole gruesome stuffed dog thing, I'd have to choose Bobnoxious!

It's bad enough that they clipped the end of the closing ceremonies, but to not even explain that the end would follow after it was over, was about as lame as it gets. Booo NBC

Z,

How did the ratings do over the course of the evening? Did the numbers drop from the first 15 minutes?

I will check. Maybe Mr. tvbythenumbers will weigh in with the answer. Thanks. Z

Sorry Irene, I am with Z on this one. Only watched a couple of minutes, it was all I could take. But it made me have a revelation as to why Jerry was such a supporter of Zucker, Leno & NBC in the fiasco; he was handsomely rewarded with one of the time spots.

Thanks Zlogger I will get with ya later. This zolletician is gonna remember this when the time comes for me to return the favor.

Hey People Magazine ranks The Marriage Ref as one on the top 5 things to watch on TV this week.

ha. Z

The concept is not so bad, and the couples were funnier than the panel. What really turned me off was how edited and rehearsed the in studio stuff was. The "talent" was awful-they seemed to be reading their lines...and the reaction shots were so terribly "set up."

I could imagine the same show, with a panel made up perhaps of Steve Allen, Arlene Francis, and maybe Oscar Levant, all of whom appeared on panels back in the 50s.

NBC - You are a disaster.

Good thought about witty panelists of the 1950s and '60s. So true. Z

Hi NOMOK8,

I think like you for Irene I might give it one more try Marriage Ref. I just don't want to see any more stuffed dogs. I so love Jerry Seinfeld and his creative work on Seinfeld and I want to see Larry David on this show really. So one more try. He wrote with Jerry on Seinfeld right?

Wow Irene give you credit you are persuasive.

Last night though I was not impressed.

"Persuasive" is understatement when it comes to Irene. Ha. Z

Sherry T please find Alex M. I need him and his 85 year old mum to weigh in.

It's okay nanb at the end of the day it is not whether you win or lose it is how you play the game. And, you zloggers showing up to support either way is a warm feeling in this zloggers heart of hearts.

Oh no, I think I see a plan here: Irene is going to get her mom to vote. She's going to get everyone's mom to vote against me. Z

Hi Z,

About Irene, she gets it honestly from her grandma with the same name maybe? Anyway, if Natale Morales is going to be a regular part of the show then I reserve the right to change my mind. ha

Will you really give us a tally. Can the computer program to a quick count?

No, it will have to be a hand count, which means a late night. But I want to give Irene every chance to stuff the ballot box with peoples' mothers. Ha. Z

Hi Irene,

I will come over to your side, but I refuse to help garner more votes. This could be a narrow margin. I see the strategy anyone over 65 counts as two votes.

May the best Zloggers win.

You guys are killing me today. Thanks, I needed this fun. Z

Just got off the phone with guess who?

Yes, I talked to the mom. I emailed her the link on her facebook. If she is able to figure it out she is gonna cast her vote!

I think I may have cut in to my mom's reading time with all these technology ideas.

Thanks for the persuasive thing but you would have to know my father, and then yes, you would have to form your own judgment.

Oh, Lordie bee.....Nomok8 thanks for your support, you, nanb, Sherry T get the gold level membership for your campaign contributions.

Please just answer this: Did you promise any other states besides Nebraska and Louisiana that they would not have to pay anything on Medicare to get these votes? Yeah, I bet lots of moms are suddenly going to be appearing out of nowhere to vote. I'm checking every registration card. Ha. Z

No Z,the Louisiana purchase was enough for them, they won't take anyones calls. But my last ditch effort this afternoon is I phoned Carville and Matlin. They are standing ready to assist if this gets too close to call. Carville laughed like a hienna about the silly, fun, format of the show. Matlin said why not it is good for the economy. Free enterprise at work. i.e. Cajuns stick together.

Have I told you zloggers that you are the best?!?

Fellow Zloggers all,

Mercy! Mercy!

Talk about the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat!

Motor-mouth, pro-sports-geek-extraordinaire, Bob Costas' play-by-play faux-gushing, "And now folks, here comes the enormous inflatable beaver(s)", as an admitted dyed-in-the-wool Canuck, sadly, for me, elicited far more laughs than that totally contrived, lame excuse for a credible prime-time comedy/ 'reality' show, Jerry Seinfeld's "The Marriage Ref". Costas' sidekick, veteran sports commentator/ anchor, Al Mlichaels, was verging on the hilarious, still absolutely beside himself w/ glee, and effusiveness, after earlier that afternoon covering that "amazing" Canada vs. U.S.A. mens gold medal hockey finale. He's all-of-a-sudden become a virtual hockey proselytizer----absolutely boffo for Canada's 'national pastime'. Forget NFL football, hockey ROCKS!

As that monstrous inflatable moose floated into camera range, as if trying to one-up the "enormous beavers", in an Olympian battle for Canadian official national 'beastly' iconic symbolic supremacy, my devious mind had sadly descended into the proverbial gutter, fixated on the "enormous beaver" bit, immediately fantasizing about one of those tawdry latex inflatable sex dolls (a blimp-sized version), floating aloft in an x-rated Macy's Turkey Day parade, run amok----Carnival in Rio meets
the annual Macy's extravaganza, if you will. HA! (Sorry zloggers, I can get a bit naughty, on occasion.....oh behave.)

But seriously folks, last evening, after watching the head-honcho of the White Castles mini-hamburger empire go incognito, on CBS's "Undercover Boss", at one of his larger franchises (possibly Chicago), witnessing, first-hand, the eye-opening harsh realities of what his in-store
employees had to deal w/ on a 24/7, daily basis, this "Marriage Ref" drek, IMO, almost insulted the average TV viewer's basic intelligence, in comparison.

Let's get real, folks. Are we that starved for watching actors, comedians, and other high-profile performers, plainly out of their 'familiar' element, that we have to indulge them on the tube 'making fake-funny, at the expense of couples who obviously could use professional marriage counseling, or some individual therapy, rather than seeking the limelight as seeming desperate-for-their-15-minutes-of-fame wannabe, no-talent instant celebs?

I've got to say, I'll take that "enormous inflatable beaver", over that sad, taxidermed pug on the first segment of Seinfeld's new show, any day of the week. What's up w/ premiering a series on such a morbid, tasteless, rePUGnant note?(Pun intended.....groan.)

I really have to question Seinfeld's motivation for this bona fide clunker of a show. I realize Jerry took the marriage plunge for the first, and so far, only time, in his early, to mid-forties. He and his wife Jessica, clearly made up for lost time over the last decade, or so, having three kids in close succession, all after his "Seinfeld" series had finally wrapped. I'm wondering if perhaps Jerry is getting a little stir-crazy at home, and has been itching to somehow get out of the palatial mansion/ penthouse (?)------hence his need to do a new show. Could the pressures of being a full-time hubby and daddy be finally wearing on him? (As if having close to a billion $$$$$$ in personal assets would cramp his style. But as the Fab Four said, " Money can't buy you love." And as some failed-at-romance philosopher quipped, "Marriage isn't all that it's cracked up to be."....... or was that Woody Allen? HA)

Hey, here's a wild idea. Say if after 3 or 4 episodes of "The Marriage Ref", the fledgling show looks like it's destined for the dumpster. Maybe Jerry could take one for the Gipper, so to speak, and offer himself, and wife Jessica, up as a typical married couple-in-conflict, and just see how many belly laughs he, and the home audience would get out of that perhaps too-close-to-reality scenario. Let's speculate that wife Jessica wants, say eight more kids, or she's held this burning secret desire to do stand-up comedy, but has been too intimidated by super comic, hubby Jerry, to even bring up such an off-the-wall notion. She would naturally want Jerry to spend much more time at home w/ their three kids (two boys and a girl), while she's on the road doing, say the summer season Borscht Belt comedy circuit up in the Catskills. Kind of like 'deja-Jew', all over again, but w/ roles reversed, for a change. (I hope my 'deja-Jew' bit didn't come off as offensive to some of my fellow zloggers. It wasn't meant to be, and if it did, I apologies.)

I admit I'm being a tad silly here, but unfortunately, I fear this lame, overly-scripted, disjointed excuse for a novel comedy show, "The Marriage Ref", has cancelation writ in big, bold letters, all over it. Can we all say Edsel, Vanilla Ice and Beta, boys and girls? HA!

Irene, my zlog little 'sis', have you perchance overdosed on tainted monkey munch, or had a 'comedy bypass', lately, 'cause I cannot for the life of me see much to get excited about w/ this current 'Jerry-rigged' piece of flotsam. Sorry my dear, on this one, like our astute Zlogmeister, Z., I have to begrudgingly, yet respectfully, disagree w/ your more than generous, positive take on this first airing of "The Marriage Ref" sideshow. IMO, it's a real dog.WOOF! WOOF!

As far as the Winter Games closing ceremonies, I felt the gala production kind of dragged a little, and seemed to lack a coherent, well-thought out overall narrative thread. So I must confess, even as a patriotic transplanted Canuck, I did slip away on occasion ("Undercover Boss" as a case in point). But I managed to catch the opening hour, or so, and like several of my fellow zloggers longed for the eloquence, and under-stated reserve of the late master sports commentator, Jim McKay, or even the expert, enthusiastic, polished delivery of the late Chris Schenkel, who made his mark as the best pro bowling TV commentator in the biz, but was really a most versatile, seeming ubiquitous sports journalist, spanning the entire TV sports gamut. These two guys were genuine hall-of-famers.

Don't get me wrong, I do respect Bob Costas for his sports savy, intelligence, encyclopedic knowledge of players, stats, and pivotal sports 'moments', as well as his obvious passion for what he does, professionally, but as exemplified in his Winter Games closing ceremonies commentary, he apparently never got that official NBC memo reminding him that A) a picture is indeed worth a thousand words, and B) silence is golden........ or at least silver, or bronze. HA! That's why they called it tele-VISION, dummy!

Al Michaels. bless his heart, still seemed to be on a full-contact-high from taking in the big Canada vs. U.S.A. mens hockey gold medal showdown. I swear he must have had to change his DEPENDS ditties at least once, during that emotion-packed broadcast----he was percolating w/ sheer glee over what he viewed as "the greatest hockey match of all time". Obviously, unlike Elvis, hyperbole hadn't left the building. quite yet.

I admit I got a few mild chuckles out of the handful of Canadian actors and comedians, like Katherine O'Hara, William Shatner, and Michael J. Fox, riffing comedically, and w/ genuine affection, on all things peculiarly Canadian; particularly our propensity to go over-board w/ the "SORRY" refrain. The Shatner comment about Canadians having figured out how to make love in a canoe, without capsizing, prompted a cute visual for me. I was so heartened to see Michael J. Fox on center-stage, so physically 'composed', strong in both body and voice. In the past year I've seen Michael J. Fox on-air a few times w/ the likes of Oprah, and it's been so difficult to watch him physically struggle so valiantly w/ the ravages of his progressive Parkinson's disease. I understand so much depends on getting the right meds and proper dosages w/ this horrendous degenerative disease, to gain some kind of normalcy.

Ironically, Michael J. Fox is the second noted Canadian, the other being the young anti-cancer warrior, the late Terry Fox, who has carried the name Fox w/ such dignity, courage and sense of mission to the entire world. We Canucks are so very proud of both these brave, unwitting, selfless, Canadian goodwill ambassadors, who always looked (and in M. J's case, still look) at their lives, despite their devastating maladies, w/ that glass-half- full, positive, never-say-die mind set.

Well, I'm starting to tear up a bit here (SOB!), so I best be shoving off, w/ visions of maple sugar plums dancing in my head..... or inflatable beavers. HA!

Have a great first-week-of-March fellow zloggers. And tonight, don't be too hard on Jay (Leno) on his big return to late-night. That massive glass jaw of his is such an easy target for zlugging. HA!

P.S.: I fear the NBC peacock is slowly morphing into one big, fat turkey. And in HD-big-screen-living color, it's not a very pretty picture.

Oh, and by-the-by that crazy Canuck, Neil Young (still) ROCKS!

ALEX

Paul, regarding a panel made up perhaps of Steve Allen, Arlene Francis, and maybe Oscar Levant, Those guys were brilliant. They don't make 'em like that anymore, no where no how. Sad, but true.

I'm a definite no vote for Marriage Ref. I'm inherently against scripted "reality shows." They're fake. I can't handle fake. "Fake reality," Like George Carlin said: The term Jumbo Shrimp has always amazed me. What is a Jumbo Shrimp? I mean, it's like Military Intelligence - the words don't go together, man.

Anyway it's on Thursday nights, I believe. "Fringe" is on at the same time. Sorry, Marriage Ref... not reallly.

Oscar Levant. Yes! Marriage Ref. No! Z

Hi Z,

Thank you for posting our long lost posts. I can completely forgive you. It was a long day. I love reading all the posts. People definitely are divided over this show. It reminds me of our congress a little right now.

It has been fun. Don't worry someone will probably demand a recount.

Have a great evening and THANKS.

Motor-mouth, pro-sports-geek-extraordinaire, Bob Costas' play-by-play faux-gushing, "And now folks, here comes the enormous inflatable beaver(s)", as an admitted dyed-in-the-wool Canuck, sadly, for me, elicited far more laughs than that totally contrived, lame excuse for a credible prime-time comedy/ 'reality' show, Jerry Seinfeld's "The Marriage Ref".

alex MCCRAE
*******************************

Alex you were my last hope!

Alex, you're one funny dude!! I thoroughly enjoyed your post, read it twice, in fact. This paragraph was especially descriptive and echos my thoughts exactly so I'm going to post it again!

Let's get real, folks. Are we that starved for watching actors, comedians, and other high-profile performers, plainly out of their 'familiar' element, that we have to indulge them on the tube 'making fake-funny, at the expense of couples who obviously could use professional marriage counseling, or some individual therapy, rather than seeking the limelight as seeming desperate-for-their-15-minutes-of-fame wannabe, no-talent instant celebs?

Hi Irene - The calvary of one has arrived! And you know I will have my say in my usual short-winded fashion!

Z, although Irene and I are terribly outnumbered here, I have to say that I found the show pretty funny (except for Natalie Morales, whose stock seems to be sinking by the second. I fully expect her to show up in a kitty litter commercial sometime soon).

I went into this show expecting that it would not be something to take very seriously. It isn't supposed to be about therapists analyzing serious problems in a marriage. It is about having some fun with the unusual or silly little disagreements and aggravations that crop up in every relationship. It is about being able to laugh at ourselves and some of the small irritations/annoyances we allow ourselves to get so caught up in. I never for a second got the impression that these issues were causing any serious strain on these relationships.

While the whole dog stuffing really grossed me out (I couldn't even look at the poor thing) I could absolutely sympathize with both the husband and the wife. He was so attached to his pooch that he couldn't let him go; she was so grossed out that she couldn't bear to have it around (especially not in the "Grotto of Grief" shrine).

And the whole "exercise pole" thing was too funny. Here was a guy who wanted his wife to participate in his fantasy, but she wanted no parts of it. I can guarantee you that no matter what the "Marriage Ref" said, there was NEVER going to be a stripper pole installed in that bedroom!

I am not a fan of Baldwin, Ripa or Seinfeld (even though I enjoyed his show), but they seemed to be having a great time. And their comments weren't mean spirited.

Was some of the stuff scripted? Probably. But we all know very well that ALL reality shows are scripted and manipulated.

For example, a lot of people are really enjoying Undercover Boss, but you know that show is heavily manipulated. It follows a set formula: feature a struggling, sympathetic employee; highlight an optimistic, inspirational employee; introduce a less-than-stellar manager; make the big boss look inept for laughs. Some people enjoy that, while others do not. (As an aside, I had to laugh last week when they showed the bossman entering his little fleabag motel, and the next thing you see is him being interviewed standing by a bed with an ornate wooden headboard that was clearly NOT in that motel room!)

Anyway, I think it is pretty healthy when people are willing to acknowledge that their behavior is somewhat selfish or immature and find the humor in that. We all find humor in different things.

So Irene, we can meet here on Thursday night to see if we still find the show funny. Until then, let's see if we can muster up a few more supporters!

Have a great night, everyone!

Hey AnnC: You are the cavalry of one. I would say uncle just out of deference to your fabulous crack about Natalie Morales and kitty litter commercials. Love it. Z

Hi ALEX,

So my guess is Irene's powers of persuation will not work here. I get the feeling you really did not like this show.

Shout out to Undercover Boss last night ALEX, it was Columbus, Ohio. I know it well. I was impressed by Joe who handled the drive through window. He was great. He even helped with the automatic credit card payment machine. He was nice to the customers.

That was a good post. I actually was up to see Michael J. Fox in the closing Olympic ceremonies. I liked the people all dressed in white with the snowboards. It was a definite party atmosphere.

Irene has a shout-out to your mum ALEX to vote for the show. What do you think she would vote?

I will be watching LENO.

"Irene, my zlog little 'sis', have you perchance overdosed on tainted monkey munch, or had a 'comedy bypass', lately, 'cause I cannot for the life of me see much to get excited about w/ this current 'Jerry-rigged' piece of flotsam. Sorry my dear, on this one, like our astute Zlogmeister, Z., I have to begrudgingly, yet respectfully, disagree w/ your more than generous, positive take on this first airing of "The Marriage Ref" sideshow. IMO, it's a real dog.WOOF! WOOF!" Alex M
*******************************

I smell a payback of some sorts here or backroom shady deal. It took awhile to hear from you today. Did a zlogmeister contact you?

"I've got to say, I'll take that "enormous inflatable beaver", over that sad, taxidermed pug on the first segment of Seinfeld's new show, any day of the week. What's up w/ premiering a series on such a morbid, tasteless, rePUGnant note?(Pun intended.....groan.)"

Alex M
*******************************

I have to dissect your posts like bite size white castles, which btw are my favorite next to Jay's Potato chips.

But, ya'll this dog thing is killing me. After conversating with my mom today she said it reminded her of something from my young adulthood. When I left home, married and had my 1st baby my father was very sick with cancer. He fought very bravely to overcome. During this time period he brought a Little Daschshund home named Boo boo. We lived far away me here in Ms, them in Indiana. Their granddaughter would go back and forth and visit for stints to spend time. Boo boo basically grew up during their granddaughters lifetime. He was my father's faithful companion. After my dad died Boo-boo died of a broken heart.

Now, that said, my father was a joker of sorts, argue the next man, (my mom could better tell the arguer story) and just a fun guy to be around. Life of the party. But, if he had seen the show he would have laughed his head off and probably tried to do the same thing with Boo boo if Boo boo had passed away 1st. (Not that this is indicating my mom's swing vote)

Oh, ya'll I do not know what is funnier now after trying to argue this incessantly the show or the argument.

But, my Zlogger brother Alex, I have challenged you in the past week. So, I will take your vote under consideration and I will concede my race against the zlogmeister Z for the good of the zlog for this little ~ funny~ that ~could. Marriage Ref. Thursday Night NBC.

Two words:

Marv Albert ????

Hi Donnie,

That was a funny post. You really are a lucky guy. I deal with Irene on a daily basis too. It makes life so much more fun. I am so glad we found each other on Z on TV zlog.

You two have fun watching Marriage Ref.

P.S. My husband hated it, oh well.

Congratulations on the win Irene!

AnnC it is hard to beat Kitty litter that was too funny!

Thanks for your backing and all the backing.

It is virtually fun to be around ya'll each day. I had to laugh that Z conceded and so did I. See we play fair ball around here.

Thanks Sherry T. You are quite a fighter and the wit today. I love the 1000 people who stuffed their dog thingy.

Hi Zloggers, this was such a fun read today. I checked in off and on and was thoroughly entertained. I nominate Irene and Alex as Best Combatants of the day, handling their opposite points of view with great humor.

I'm very heartened to see that this great Zlogger family can move beyond You-Know-Who and have a such a great time doing it. There's more to life than YKW and I challenge anyone out there who thinks we're obsessed and have no life to read this particular blog and see we are actually very informed, well adjusted and can laugh. Give us a good "bad" reality show and we're off and running.

Z, you're the Master Zlogmeister to host this Zlog for us to use for our need to vent. Your comments over the last 24 hours have been hilarious. I love it when you're able to participate. I think you inspire more comments.

Hi Aly, Thanks so much. Coming from you, this means a lot. And thanks to all the zloggers and zluggers who pumped so much energy and insights into the blog today. Z

"Give us a good "bad" reality show and we're off and running." Aly

******************************

Yes, Yes, Yes, Aly, and I guess we could pat ourselves on the back because we helped to get that good "bad" reality show off the air. So Kate was left with no choice but go out on her own.

The question is her story will centered around the beaten trail of 8 little children.

Thanks girl. And yes, we talk about the absurdity of alot of things. We are in negotiations and back room meetings on Healthcare reform as we speak. Sherry T is the Republican and I am the democrat.

One of the things I enjoy about the Olympic Closing Ceremonies is the presentation from the next host country. _That_ is what I was expecting at the conclusion of the O Canada segment, not an NBC self-promotion extravaganza [or, really Avril or the other concert performers].

Did they ever get around to a presentation from Sochi?

Woo hooo.

I know we were out numbered in our opinion of a good humored new contestant based show, and our zlogmeister conceded for the best of the blog, but

TVbythenumbers reporting 14.5 million viewers!

Sherry T sorry that is more than a 1,000, Alex that is ratings that anyone who shows a stuffed pug would love, and Z, that is just the way the ball bounces. I had a blast ya'll yesterday.

I am glad I didn't need my mom's swing vote. I will save that for a future event.

Does anyone else think Irene might be gloating just a little? I do have to point out that "Ref" had a little bit of help with that Olympics lead-in, and we might want to wait until we see how it does Thursday without that kind of cosmic lead-in. But if Irene and her new best friend, Natalie M., want to celebrate early, who am I to criticize? Ha. I notice Irene quoted the trustworthy tvbythenumbners, so that I couldn't call for a timeout to investigate to see if the ratings she quoted are accurate. If they came from tvbythenumbers, you can take them to the bank. Now I know I lost Sherry T's vote, if she didn't already switch on me last night when I was trying to juggle Kimmel and Leno and half-watching and half-posting. I better go back and check to see if she posted a comment saying she was moving into Irene's camp. Ha. Z

Z...I am so sorry to interrupt your trying to get 8 other things done. That really looks like a cheap shot from this zloggertician. They sure did have the Olympics! Heck, they stopped the Olympics for them.

When they do that for Kate Gosselin we will know she has arrived and we as critics are fighting a losing battle and I will move on.

I hope I am as gracious as you are when I lose a future opinion on this zlog.

Wait a minute, who said anything about losing here? Ha. I surrender. You win. Z

Hi Z,

You know Ohio is a swing state so I am going to say that I am still contemplating what to do. I am leaning in your direction actually, but I am afraid I will miss out on all the fun! Can I reserve the right to watch one more episode and then decide. Okay, as an independent I just need to weigh all the shows positives and negatives before making up my mind. ha

Wow. Sherry's holding out fore a big payday, Irene. You better come up with something big, or you are going to lose this vote. I don't think she was too impressed with that 14 million audience. Ha. Z

Now you Sherry T. Alex just drowned me over there at Kate and Kimmel now you. Go to Kimmel post Alex zlugged me out of the park. My BZF I gave you a pass on this one.

LOL

Hi Z,

How does "Marriage Ref" compare to Undercover Boss? Just weighing all my options here.

I am pretty sure 14.5 million would beat "Undercover." I don't think Senator Ben Nelson, of Nebraska, drove this hard a bargain on healthcare with Harry Reid. Ha. Z

Hi Irene,

Thanks for the pass. I appreciate it BZF.

Z, thanks for the ratings comparison. I might just have to concede to Irene like you said, she wins!! But, at least she gave me a pass on this one. I am starting to feel like President Obama with the press.

I didn't watch this show, though I admit I've been looking forward to it after seeing previews.

Irene - I have a confession. We have a stuffed pet. Our golden, Maddie, spends her time in our basement game room under the pool table by the vent, just like she loved to when she was alive. I know, freaky. My husband says it's helpful for our friends and neighbors, because now no one has to speculate as to if we really are looney tunes... :) That said, I also have a stripper pole in my workout room, so maybe I should be banned from zlogging??? But really, it's so much more fun than my treadmill...

Hi Suzi J.: Hilarious post. And I love your husband's thinking. Z

Hi Suzi J.,

That was a funny post. You will fit right in with that show Marriage Ref. I am going to give the show another try. I just can't go with a stuffed dog, but hey I will bet is a great conversation piece.

Ask Irene and Donnie they loved the show.

You made me laugh too. Great to read you posts.

Have a great day!

lol Suzi J :-)

I knew we had a closet stuffed pet owner somewhere in our group. It takes all kinds to make a good zlog go round!

Oh, can we start calling you Suzi Q?

My mom is still going to weigh in she is trying to figure out how to post. My mom has turned out to be quite the rebel in retirement. My daughter wrote a speech for cheerleading banquet tomorrow and did the do's and don'ts of cheerleading. One of the dont's involved my mom from the disney nationals trip. It reads, "Don't allow your grandmother to deliver pizza after bed check." (My mom got busted by the cheerleading coaches husband who my mom inadvertedly thought was a highschool student. oops!)

Sherry T I am listening to cspan radio we will be able to continue our backroom spoof on healthcare reform.

Will the other 999 closet stuffed pet owners please step forward. Suzi J. has admitted to being one of the 1000. YAY Suzi J. bold move.

Yes, Irene behind closed doors, on C-SPAN. Those two things seem like to be contradictory in my mind. Did President Obama promise us transparecy and then go back on his word. Oh my!

Irene - Does this mean you aren't going to vote me off the zisland after my confession?? It's a long story, but we really didn't intend to have a stuffed pet. The stripper pole I take full responsibility. :) I hope your mom figures out how to post. She sounds like a hoot!

No way! , Suzi J , but I need 4.999 million more people to commit to watching Marriage Ref so that my argument that this is a good show has more backing. BTW your post backs up my argument like a leash!

Yes Sherry T, I have been listening to cspan radio all morning. Man. It is riveting.

Yes, to C-SPAN radio, my best friend and source for straight and reliable information. Are you listening on satellite radio? How are you and Sherry receiving it? By the way, has Sherry T. decided yet on her Seinfeld vote? Ha. Z

Ha! Z, in the end a bzf sticks to a bzf like zorilla glue.

I tried it out today & one day last week when we were watching something. I can pull up the website and click on Cspan 3 radio and listen and see. neat. Now I am starting to learn how the media manipulates what they are saying and twists & turns it.

My residents have been coming in and paying the rent and asking if I need a stuffed dog to keep me company?

That last line is hilarious. I am surprised that I have not seen an unusual number of new blog visitors from your neck of the woods suddenly asking how they can cast a vote for that Seinfeld show they like so much. ha. PS I can't believe I didn't think about "listening" online. I have been trying to figure out how to get satellite radio and how much it was going to cost a month. Just listen off the computer. Great idea. Z

Hi Z and Irene,

I am watching C-SPAN on TV. Don't have satellite radio. Is is basically the same discussion?

I missed something on the Seinfeld vote Irene help me out here. Sorry I just got back what did I miss.

Hi Sherry T., Yes, much of time radio and TV the same. But there are three C-SPAN channels (some cable tiers only have two), so it is not always the same between radio and TV. But if you have the TV tuned to C-SPAN, you are getting the good stuff. PS DO you know how many C-SPAN channels you have? Thanks. Z

Irene - You can count me in for the next episode of Marriage Ref. I can't promise I'll stick around after that, but it's really the least I can do given their publicizing the joys of stuffed pet ownership. :)

I swear zloggers, I'm really much more normal than I sound about now...

Et tu, Suzi? Oh, the persuasive powers of Irene. I don't stand a chance. Ha. Z

Hi Z,

I can only find one C-SPAN channel on my TV, channel 22. Should there be one more? What about the C-SPAN radio? Do you have to have satellite or can I pick it up on regular radio broadcast? Sorry for all the questions. Trying to find the best way to hear this debate because it is heating up now that the President has decided he is going without the Republicans.

Z, I can't go with a "YES" vote on Marriage Ref until I watch one more, I have to give Jerry Seinfeld the benefit of the doubt because he was such a genius on Seinfeld and I loved that show. I am thinking that he will convince me though and Irene will add one more to her count and the ratings.

It sounds like you are preparing me for the worst on Seinfeld. Ha. As for C-SPAN, yes, it could very well be that you have just one channel -- it is up to the cable distributor in your city (the company you make your check out to when you pay your cable bill). You can call them and find out if there are more. Yes, if you don't live near washington, you have to use satellite. But you could also do what Irene is doing: Use your computer and go to c-span.org. And you can turn the sound up on your computer and listen that way. Let me know if it doesn't work. Z

Thanks Z,

That is great I will try the Cspan.org site then. I'll let you know if that works. :)

Also, I will check with Time Warner about other C-SPAN channels, maybe we can add one.

Thanks Sherryt 4.997 million more zloggers on the wall, you take one down, pass it around................

Well, I listened to healthcare, got some work done, and zlogged with the best group around....Now, I must go to the back room and work on our spoof. Remember Sherry T you are the republican and I am the democrat. :-)

Hi Irene,

I remember. I am the Republican. Can I have a different part? After today and the healthcare debate my part just got a lot harder.

SherryT. @ 12:22 pm: "Will the other 999 closet stuffed pet owners please step forward."
***************
Hi Sherry, I can "out" one of them: Alan Alda. His parents had his childhood dog stuffed. I think it's part of the name of his autobiography. I heard him discussing the book and his dog on NPR some time ago.

p.s. I'm staying neutral on the Marriage Ref.

Nancy G March 3 at 6:58pm
****************************
****************************
To Mr. Z on TV the big gun has just arrived. I'm Irene's Mom! The marriage Ref. is a great show. Irene Dad proably would have stuff Boo!Boo! but the dog out lived him. But I don't know about the pole in the bathroom. You sure would have to have a big bathroom.

As for Lyndon Johnson neither you or Irene could hold a candle to him. I was around then. But my favorite was Mayor Dailey in the 60's. Chicago was his town .

Oh Lordie Bee, now I know where Irene gets it from. This is way too much for me. I'm out of my league. I surrender. WELCOME to the blog, Nancy G. Z

irene Mother

*****************
*****************
Mom is trying to learn this technology 12 hours away from me. Hi mom welcome to the zlog.

Stupid show, with even dumber couples with their problems.

Hi Irene's Mom, and welcome!!!!

Z, you are truly done for now!

Stick a fork in me. Seriously done. Z

Hi N.E.

That is funny about Alan Alda's dog. Great now we only have to find 998 more.

Have a great night.

Hey Irene's mom. Hope to hear lots more from you. Welcome to the zlogosphere.

Thanks ya'll but I have to admit this she is one tough cookie. She lived with a motor mouth for 35 years, raised 3 kids, and kinda always has been the one to sit back and not really say anything. I about died laughing when she facebooked me that. I did not know she had it in her.

I will warn ya'll now Marriage Ref is the only show we both have liked in weeks. She is cut from the President Obama cloth/rooting for Kate Gosselin on DWTS/and is growing more impatient with MSM by thte day. I may have even met my match inviting her on.

She is a great mom! And, we are glad you are here!

Now, if I do not get some sleep I will not be worth a zlog tomorrow.

Thanks for helping make this such a great place to be today, Irene. Z

Hi Irene,

I have to go to bed now too. What I want to know is when is the first double post from you and your mom? Now that will be something to read.

She sounds wonderful Irene and I think you are a carbon copy. A very special person. This has been fun.

Goodnight Z, Irene and Irene's mom.

Thanks z for the vote yes it has made life a lot easier at the Smith house hold.And and Suzi I think the stripper pole is cool course I think most men would.Hey maybe you could talk Irene into one lol.

And yes Sherry I am a lucky man to have her in my life when I met her I was really not going in the right direstion she has saved my life and I mean that.But on a serious note I think she is addicted to this z blog and she needs to enter rehab and do the 12 step program.lol if she aint sleeping she blogging.Sometimes in the middle of the night I will wake up and find her sitting in the bed and her hands are typing on a invisible key board..just kidding ya'll

Hey Donnie, Thanks for the note. I just posted a comment on your comment about Duke-Maryland, and I was kidding you in it about "The Marriage Ref." This blog is so lucky to have Irene. She helped make it into a real community of people who talk to and even care about each other rather than just a blog. I am so grateful to her for that -- even if we disagree on the "The Marriage Ref." Ha. Z

Hi Z and Hi Donnie,

Donnie,you are good person and Irene is lucky to have you too. I am still deciding about the Marriage Ref. I may have to give it another try.

Like Z said, Irene has made this blog a community and we are all proud and thankful for her.

Have a great day everyone. I am getting paint in my hair today! ha

awe! Thanks Donnie you are my hero too! We sure didn't raise our 8 kids in the tabloids. They sure give us a run for our money everyday. But, life is a journey. I know where my bread is buttered. I would not have it any other way.

As for disagreeing this week about the Marriage Ref with Z. Well, all I can say is (not gloating) or anything. But, I seen Z surrender more times this week on this post than in any Olberman, Palin, Kato litter post to date!( and we will have the archives to prove it) So, we will just agree to disagree. If it's anyone's fault I watch so much tv now it is the zlog's and Donnie's. Donnie hated all the Lifetime he had to watch years ago. He almost walked out over the tlc reality show stint of Gosselin/duggar/hayes and LPBW.

Oh well it takes all kinds to make the craziness of tv buzz.

To the zlog! And, the online community that keeps it real!

Sitting here stubbornly watching my pal Nat and trying my best to salvage something here.

How about the baseball at the beginning Husbands/wives? My little2 1/2 is letting me throw wiffle balls and he has hit 20 already. Everytime he hits the ball he says strike. Hey he might be the next Sammy Sosa. (My grandma Irene's fav Cub)

Well, I will go back to the earlier defenses. This is a half hour comedy period......

Ok. I surrender. It was funnier with Diane's borrowed stuffed dog.

I do not say I am wrong often so everyone better note the date and time. LOL.

I do not believe this is this real Irene for one second unless she has been kidnapped, drugged and taken over by an Irene from Planet Bizarro who is her opposite in every way. I know that because the real Irene does not know the meaning of the word surrender. I better check with Donnie on this one. On the other hand, maybe 60 minutes with her new friend Natalie was more than she could bear. Z

Hi Irene,

I know there was a concession. I hope the Marriage Ref did well in the ratings. I took a peek and I had to go with "Boomer Nation". I saw the thing with the guy and the garage. Sorry, this show is just not Seinfeld material. I have to VOTE NO!

Will you forgive me BZF?

Oh lord, I am bone tired, weary and I hit my head on a hanging TV in the newsroom today and almost knocked myself out (I am not making that up -- and no, the irony is not lost on me either). So, I am wiped out and probably have a concussion to boot. I have one whomping headache and a lump on my head. But I can go to bed an astonished man who has lived long enough to see Sherry T. NOT voting with the senior senator from Mississippi on the Seinfeld Amendment. Talk about breaking party ranks. Lordie Bee!Z

Wow Z, I am sorry about your head. I did that one time my friend swung a crocquet mallet right as I bent down to pick up the ball. Ouch!

I hope you don't have a concussion. But, I am glad that you lived to see this and my swing state vote to the other side. I can't help it, that show is soooo bad! Even Irene has given up!

Get better soon,use ICE. See a doctor. Really.

OK. Well the bloom is off the rose for me with this show. That didn't take long. The couples seemed nastier and the problems too real. Irene, I think we were snookered.

Z, I bow at your feet of reason and good sense. I hope your head feels better. Please make sure to get checked out. Concussions can be very dangerous.

Your humbled zlogger, AnnC.

Hi Z,

Is that Seinfeld ammendment the one that says the first ammendment protects comedy? Marriage Ref has no chance.

You had better get some rest. Feel better.

Oh, Lordie Bee is right. This week we successfully clubbed Alex McCrae over the head with a Tiger Wood iron his caddy let us borrow.

Now, we have driven Z to knock his head against the wall but he missed and hit the TV.

How many witnesses to the execution @ Baltsun? LOL. Hope you are ok. We cannot lose any zloggers in the deconstruction of television. Be careful. I have a helmet I can mail you.

p.s. That was really me last night. I really hate admit I am wrong once in a blue moon.(unlike some of my political adversaries in Washington) I have to admit my daughter's do's and dont's of cheerleading was much more funny at the banquet last night. I think we may even have a 3rd generation of a zlogger if I can persuade her to participate too on Z on TV.

Oh, and NBC is going to try to release another game show soon. I think I will just watch Cspan that night.

Sherry that Seinfeld amendment is stuck in committee and there is no way I am using reconcialation or any other of my one time tricks to pass it through.

I am with Annc on this one. Seinfeld might have been the genious of a show but this one can be fed to the birds. So, I guess Seinfeld gets the best of both worlds. I wonder if he would let me tell Natale to go back to her day job now before Kate Gosselin takes it.

Hi Z. I hope you are feeling better after that conk on the head yesterday.

NBC has a new show called Who Do You Think You Are? premiering tonight. It is about celebrities tracing their ancestry. Will you be watching this?

I won't be watching, but I read another newspaper critic's opinion about it. So I am curious to hear your opinion.

Hi AnnC: Thanks for the kind thoughts about my head. I think I survived the second knock on the head in four days this week. I wonder if I am losing it or something, hitting my head this way. As to the NBC show, I have the screener, but I did not get ot it -- so no preview. My sense is that it is like the shows Henry Louis gataes did on PBS in which he traced the ancestry of people like Oprah Winfrey via DNA. But I am sorry to say that I have not seen it. Thanks. Z

Hi Irene,

I am trying desperately to get caught-up here. Seinfeld I think is a genius comedian and writer. I would love to see him do something again like Seinfeld. The Marriage Ref just does not seem to be his quality. I did kind of want to see Larry David on it to see the interaction. I might watch that one. Looked like Tina Fey last night when I switched over. "Boomer Nation" was really good. President Clinton had kind of neat quote about baby boomers I wrote it down and will try to find it and post it sometime.

I can't believe you gave in Irene, are you feeling okay today or did last night do it for you? No reconciliation?

No, reconciliation. When they kept going to Natale as a person to vouge for this or that I knew darn well I was in over my head and had stuck up for the wrong show.

Yes, Madonna should be funny handling 2 men next week. She is a force to be reckoned with.

Hi z I still like the show and I think it will be really good next week with Madonna been one of the guest.No it as not as funny as last week,but that's the way it s with any show new or old some prgrams or just going to better than others reather it be Lost,Battle star galatica,or whatever.I still think its going to be a good show and hope it gets the rating it needs to stay on

.Irene is abandon the ship a little to early on this one ,Maybe she will change her mind after the next show.

The ratings are pretty good. Eight million people agree with you guys so far. Thanks. I am watching Maryland beat Virginia in basketball. A good day so far. Z

Where is the Beef to the show?
The original idea sounds interesting, but needed to be more properly executed. The couples appeared to be rehearsing, and it all seemed
too artificial. Like a dry martini, the show needed some
more olives!

Tvbythenumbers 8 million viewers for the Marriage Ref. My mom & I agree though this is a half hour show.

As much as I hate to admit it, those are pretty good numbers, Irene. maybe my friend, Robert, from tvbythenumbers, will weigh in on them by posting a comment here. But they look pretty decent to me. PS I still hate the show. Ha. Z

Gentlemen:

I have written a joke.

It is entitled:

I'll Take Paul Lynde To Block!

Kelly Ripa is not Elizabeth Montgomery.

Alec Baldwin is not Robert Morley.

But Jerry Seinfeld is Charles Nelson Riley.

That's it.

Have a Dovely.

Sincerely yours,
CALEB BOONE.

caleb@eaglecom.net

Lordie Bee Z your radio show about the Marriage Ref. You sliced and diced the show and it still got 8 million viewers.

My feelings summed up nicely here:

http://www.coolinternetwebsite.com/5/post/2010/03/the-marriage-ref-nbc-thinks-we-are-a-bunch-of-morons.html

This guy, Tom Papa, is the worst host EVER. I cannot believe that Jerry Seinfeld would even think this guy is talented or funny. Get rid of him - he's worse than Samantha Harris was on Dancing with the Stars. LOSE HIM JERRY - HE'S RUINING YOUR SHOW.

Hi Awfamily,

I think I can agree with that sentiment for sure. I actually watched some of the last episode because I wanted to see Larry David on the show. He was funny, but everyone seems a little uncomfortable. I was kind of hoping Jerry Seinfeld would be on with Larry, but he was not. I think that would have been good. For some reason I can't think who the other guests were, but the young woman and Larry David were funny. I just don't have any hope this show will last. It is way to scripted in the way the marriage partners are together. Just plain bad really.

I wonder what the recent rating are for it.

Hi again AWfamily,

I guess people can make up there own minds it was Madonna and Ricky G. who hosted the Golden Globes, I think. Some critics like it some don't.

I think I know where Z stands.

It has not convinced me so far. Except Larry David was good.

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/12/the-marriage-ref-curbs-everyones-enthusiasm/

The Marriage Ref.....I would like to see more of marriages that are more than a 3 or 4 year period 20 or more years married is much funnier......not in the honey moon stage any more.....and also the panel should be composed of people /stars that are not divorced and have been in great relationships themselves ..OH WAIT ..then they would only get like 4/5 couples in all of Hollywood ...I do not think this show will last unless they really tweak it.