There have already been numerous dating shows on television of the last 30 years from Blind Date, Dating In The Dark, The Undateables , Take Me Out, The Batchelor to name but some. Over 3 episodes Channel 4 have aired the ultimate show in this genre Married at First Sight. The programme was dubbed by its producers a ground breaking social experiment.
The idea being that a team of experts via a series of tests would match people with the goal of finding the perfect match. This would be tested by the matches being officially married without having met before the first meeting and view of each other was at the marriage ceremony and living together for 5 weeks before they would then decide if they would like to stay together or divorce.
The show was based on a Danish format with versions already having appeared on both US and Australian tv, no doubt other countries are in the process of producing or have already produced a show.
So what happened;
Episode One – Introduced the viewer to the format.
Over the course of a year via various tests experts matched couples that had applied to take part. The program mentioned that approx 1500 people applied for the program. There was no indication of how people became aware of the program I would guess it was via normal advertising processes for programs. After testing over a course of a year 3 couples were chosen as perfect matches.
The experts on the show were Jo Coker – Psycho-sexual therapist and psychologist , Dr Mark Coulson – Associate Professor of Psychology, Reverend Nick Devenish – Church of England Priest and Dr Anna Machin – Evolutionary Anthropologist.
It has been subsequently reported that Nick Devenish vicar at the Church of St Mary & St Michael in Cartmel, Cumbria, who does not perform marriages on the show but helped in the couple picking process was criticised by the Bishop of Manchester who said should not have appeared and by Rt Rev David Walker who described show as ‘inappropriate and rather seedy’.
Dr Anna Machin is a member of the department of experimental psychology medical sciences division at Oxford University and her profile on the univeristy site states “My research focuses upon the psychology, cognition and neurobiology of human social relationships. I am interested in how individuals maintain their closest relationships and why people might differ in their desire and ability to do this. I have a particular interest in long term romantic relationships and the father-infant relationship.”
Dr Mark Coulson is Reader in Psychology at the School of Health and Education in the department of Psychology at the Middlesex University. His profile on the university website states his research and interests include Psychology of happiness (positive psychology), Expression of emotion through body posture and movement; theoretical and simulation models of emotion, Effects of video games, Efficacy of psychological therapies, especially in older adults and Mindfulness.
Jo Coker web profile states “I am an HCPC reg Counselling Psychologist and an accredited BACP and COSRT psychotherapist and clinical supervisor. I have worked for 35 years in the NHS with individuals, couples and families in a variety of clinical and counselling roles. At present I am the Clinical Director of Local Counselling Centre which offers counselling across the home counties.”
The matching process matched the couples on various criteria, including their DNA, physical data, relationship history and their intelligence and also used a form of video diary.
After this matching 3 couples were chosen as the ideal match these were
Emma Rathbone and James Ord-Hume,
Kate Stewart and Jason Knowles
Samantha and Jack
The individuals in couples were informed by telephone in frot of a camera their responses were as if they had suddenly realised what they had got themselves into and you could see te nerves start to come through. Each individuals next step was to inform their family and friends. I would presume that they had been sworn to some form as secrecy in the application process as their was genuine shock from the respective families. Unfortunately due to how her family reacted Samantha pulled out of the show meaning Jack also had to drop out. It would be interesting to know their thoughts on seeing each other on tv once the program aired.
The other two couples then went around the normal process of purchasing wedding dresses and suits and having stag and hen parties. The only indication they had of their respective partners was seeing the other persons name and information on the marriage license they had to sign.