Watch The Marriage Ref

The Marriage Ref was a comedy reality TV show that ran on NBC from 2010-2011. The show was created by the legendary comedian, Jerry Seinfeld, and featured a panel of celebrities counseling real-life couples in order to solve their marital disputes. The couples were chosen from across the country and presented comedic and often relatable problems from their marriage.

The show was a mix of humor, relationship advice, and voyeurism. The show's format included three celebrity judges who watched videotaped disputes between real-life couples and then weighed in with their opinions about which spouse was right, and which one was wrong. The judges deliberated on the couple's arguments and provided comedic commentary as they discussed the issues. At the end of each episode, the panel made a final decision on who the winner was.

The show was notable for the wide range of celebrities that were called in to judge the contests. The judges varied from episode to episode and included comedians like Tina Fey and Larry David, actors like Alec Baldwin, and sports stars like Charles Barkley. They approached the issues with a combination of serious consideration and hilarious mockery. Each celebrity was given the opportunity to explain their personal thoughts on the couple's issues and offer advice or criticism.

The couples themselves were all incredibly diverse, coming from different backgrounds and having different types of marital problems. Some of the disputes were trivial, like whether or not a husband should be allowed to wear sweatpants out in public, while others were more serious, like couples struggling with differences in parenting philosophies or sexual incompatibilities. The strengths and weaknesses of each side of the dispute were discussed and debated, and each judge brought their own perspective to the table.

Seinfeld's own comedic style was evident throughout the show, and his humor often seemed to deflate any tension that arose during the deliberations. The humor of the show was very much in line with Seinfeld's own sensibility, often poking fun at the trivialities of everyday life, and using humor to reach uncomfortable truths. The show was praised for its fresh take on reality TV, and its comedic slant on real-life issues.

The show was cancelled after only two seasons, but it made enough of an impact during its short run to be remembered fondly by both audiences and critics. Despite its cancellation, the show had a lasting effect on the genre of reality TV. It sought to humanize the often exploited and sensationalized world of relationship reality TV and provide actual solutions to real-life problems.

The Marriage Ref provided a hilarious and slightly absurd look into the challenges faced by many modern couples. It tackled a wide range of topics and provided thoughtful, yet comedic advice for each situation. The show's unique format and combination of humor and practical advice made it a standout in the world of reality TV. Although the show only aired for two seasons, it remains memorable for its clever humor, insightful commentary, and candid approach to marriage.