The institution of marriage must be in an abysmal state.
Amazingly high divorce rates and the raging, nationwide debate over same sex marriage might reveal the deeply divisive issue that is marriage in the United States, but at least it is comforting to know that celebrities are willing to make light of this cultural disaster. Enter “The Marriage Ref,” NBC’s latest excuse of a show (read: Jay Leno sucks) that places its own network stars in an advice-columnist capacity. The first episode featured Alec Baldwin, Kelly Ripa, and executive producer of “Marriage Ref,” Jerry Seinfeld. The rock of the show–the “ref,” so to speak–is Tom Papa, who does some stand up and is friends with Seinfeld.
The show’s premise and goal exposes the quandaries and dilemmas of real-life married couples. From the interior design woes posed by the stuffed remains of a once beloved pet to the question of whether or not to install a stripper pole in the bedroom, it is clear that this show is only kidding around. The format of the show features a brief segment of the couple in question, followed by discussion from the panel. Papa then makes a final decision.
Papa hosts with a bit of sardonic humor and an obvious deference to fairness that almost bro