Quick Review: The Marriage Ref

Tonight was a good night to watch NBC for a couple of reasons, great new episodes of Community and Parks & Recreation, the birth of The Office baby, and the new series The Marriage Ref.

I will easily say that the least enjoyable show of the block is The Marriage Ref but at the same time, it's not horrible, it's actually a lot of fun.

Now, I didn't get to see the preview during the closing ceremonies but I caught the first full episode tonight and I have to say, this is a fun reality show. Finally, reality shows that are actually entertaining following CBS' Undercover Boss and MTV's The Buried Life.

But unlike Undercover Boss, this show has been panned by critics which is so unfair becuase while I agree this isn't a great show, it's a fun show. Then again, these are the same people that said The Jay Leno Show was horrible. Even The Star Ledger went as far to say "heinous", and called it an "ugly, unfunny, patronizing mess".

WHAT???

Did they even watch Jersey Shore, The Hills, all that shit on MTV? Those are far worse, at least here, they're trying and they work on rare occasions.

But anyway, let's move on to the actual show itself.

The premiere episode features Tom Papa as the host, Executive Producer Jerry Seinfeld, Tina Fey, and Eva Longoria Parker as the panel, Marv Albert as the announcer, and NBC News correspondent Natalie Morales to provide additonal advice. The first argument revolves around a wife's nerve with her husband, a cop, who grooms himself and the panel went for the husband in the situation and I would agree with them. So what if the guy grooms himself, I don't see any problem.

The second argument revolves around a couple in Orlando, Florida with two problems. First problem, the wife is uncomfortable with her husband because of their formal dining room table and the way it should be used. The second, the husband has a problem about a new porch set he's trying to build and wants his wife to do it. The first argument went to the wife and the second argument went to the husband but in my personal opinion, I feel that should be switched around. Who cares what the table is used for, just let him use it for whatever he wants. The second argument should have went to the wife.

The third argument revolved around a couple in Lake Tahoe, California who argue that the wife should be allowed to floss in bed while the husband is right next to her. That argument quickly went to the husband and I would agree, leave the flossing in the bathroom and don't do it in the bed.

The last argument revolved around a couple in Manhattan, New York who argue that the husband doesn't like to wear his wedding ring while he plays Basketball and other sports and the wife thinks that he shouldn't do that. Hmm, and Eva Longoria Parker is married to basketball player Tony Parker, awkward. Anyway, the panel agreed with the wife and especially after you see how he plays basketball without his ring, you need to keep that on.

So like I said, The Marriage Ref is a fun show but it has its' problems. For example, after the third argument, Marv Albert comes out with a box with David Blaine eating a pizza and reading a book and I'm looking at this like, "You've gotta be fuckin' kidding me." and also, at the end of the show, Marv Albert reveals the "Shot Of The Day", brought to you by Blue Rhino. As Albert says, "It's a Gas", hehe, that's not funny. Also, they showed off a clip from Tina Fey's upcoming film 'Date Night' which I'm looking forward to see, but it's basically an extension of the first clip from the trailer with Steve Carell and Fey.

Finally, all four couples get a second honeymoon vacation courtesy of Royal Carribean, a prize which comes out of NOWHERE, they don't mention it on the show until the very end just before the episode closes. Yeah, thanks for not telling us.

This is not an original idea but it's an fun and interesting show and this is my second favorite of the new NBC shows I've caught in the last week with 'Parenthood' being the best and 'The Tonight Show With Jay Leno' being third. I want to see this continue and with some of the people they have on in the coming weeks like Larry David, Madonna, and Ricky Gervais, I could actually enjoy watching this show.

Overall, a fun show but it needs a little work.