Parents' Guide to

The Marriage Ref

By Kari Croop, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Superficial marriage spats aren't always kid-friendly.

TV NBC Game Shows 2010
The Marriage Ref Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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age 13+

Based on 1 parent review

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CSMContentDefault Adult
March 5, 2010
age 13+
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What's the Story?

In THE MARRIAGE REF, a feuding couple brings its most pressing (but surface-level) problem before a rotating panel of celebrity "experts," who weigh in on who's right and who's wrong in the relationship. But it's up to the referee himself -- host and comedian Tom Papa -- to make the final call. Each episode deals with two different couples and two different disagreements, although both couples go home with prizes for sharing their stories. The rotating cast of judges includes Jerry Seinfeld, Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey -- even Madonna.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (1 ):

The Marriage Ref is the kind of show married couples might make up while they are sitting around the table with their married friends. You know, the kind of idea that starts out with a simple premise that everybody adds to, one ridiculous idea after another, until you end up with something that's so absurd it would never, ever fly on prime time television -- and then you forget about it.

Except in this case, someone gave it the greenlight, and now it's actually on the air. Maybe that's due to the married couple who dreamed it up: Jerry Seinfeld and his wife, Jessica, who aren't exactly chopped liver when it comes to wooing NBC execs. (See: Jerry's wildly successful sitcom.) Whatever the explanation, it now exists to delve into the superficial issues of marriage and weigh in with laugh-tracked judgements. But we're calling a foul.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the show's portrayal of marriage and whether it's fair. Moms and dads: How do you and your spouse typically deal with conflict? Is there something you can't agree on that would benefit from the panel's wisdom? Also, are the type of arguments featured on the show realistic representations of marital problems?

  • Does the show take itself seriously -- and how can you tell? Do you think a celebrity panel can honestly solve a disagreement between two married people?

  • What role, if any, do corporate sponsors play in the proceedings? How does the show use consumerism for comedic effect?

TV Details

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