Married at First Sight (MAFS) enthusiasts have uncovered a revealing trend that may explain the show’s declining success rates among couples. Currently, season 18 is airing, showcasing the journeys of five pairs. While this season appears to hold more promise than its predecessors, there’s growing speculation that upcoming episodes may shift the focus towards drama rather than relationship building. Analyzing seasons 14 through 17, it becomes evident that only two couples remained together, resulting in a dismal 10% success rate. According to dedicated fans of MAFS, a closer examination of historical data has highlighted the factors contributing to this failure rate.
A Reddit user, u/Tom67570, initiated a discussion outlining the overall statistics from the show’s inception in 2014. The two experts who have been constants throughout the series, Dr. Pepper Schwartz and Pastor Cal Roberson, have witnessed notable changes in the show’s structure. A critical observation made is the drastic alteration in the number of couples per season, which seems to correlate with their success rates.
“Seasons 1-7 had only 3 couples. The experts worked them hard with a lot of therapy, challenges and exercises. Couples were also separated mostly throughout the show. This led to their most success.”
"Experts Overall Stats" by u/Tom67570 in MarriedAtFirstSight
The Impact of Failure Rates on MAFS
The Importance of Fewer Couples
The decline in successful relationships on Married at First Sight over recent years can be largely attributed to its modified structure and the diminished focus on personalized guidance for each couple. In the early seasons, with only three couples participating, experts were able to dedicate substantial time and resources to their care. This setup not only fostered individual growth but also minimized the distractions that arose from larger group dynamics.
“Clearly, bringing in 5 couples killed the show. Some people think there’s a theory that they’re deliberately bringing in awful matches for better trash ratings. A fair theory. But I truly believe they work less with them 1 on 1, and pushing them to hang out together yields a contagious negative impact.”
Take, for instance, MAFS season 18, which is already hinting at turbulence with the introduction of a potential cheating scandal and a couple swap. Such events likely stem from excessive intermingling among couples, detracting from the focus on forming strong individual relationships. Currently, the show seems to prioritize entertainment value and dramatic tension over equipping couples with the vital tools necessary for building lasting partnerships. A call for a return to fewer couple matches could help MAFS better fulfill its mission of fostering enduring romances.
Analyzing MAFS’ Structure Changes and Their Effects
Concerns About Production Priorities
The trend towards a larger number of couples and increased interaction has led observers to question the commitment of Married at First Sight’s production team towards the welfare of its participants. If there was a genuine interest in nurturing healthy and sustainable relationships, a return to a model with fewer couples per season appears essential. Current metrics indicate that the franchise’s high failure rate stems not only from the sheer number of paired matches but also from insufficient expert intervention, an aspect that viewers are increasingly vocal about as season 18 progresses with concerning couple dynamics.
Married At First Sight airs every Tuesday at 8 p.m. EST on Lifetime.
Source: u/Tom67570/Reddit