CBS picks up arranged-marriage series

CBS is treading into potentially controversial reality TV territory again.

The network has ordered a new series from the producers of "Top Chef" that puts lovelorn singles into arranged marriages.

The show introduces four adults age approximately 25-45 who are anxious to get married but have been unsuccessful in their search for a mate. Their friends and family select a spouse for them, and the newly paired couple exchange marital vows. The series follows their marriages.

The rest of the details for the project, whose early working title is "Arranged Marriage," are being kept under wraps.

The series is from Jane Lipsitz and Dan Cutforth of Magical Elves, which launched "Project Runway" on Bravo and produces the network's "Top Chef."

It is the second series greenlighted by CBS' new reality chief Jennifer Bresnan, following the recent order for "Block Party," a competition among neighboring families.

The series order for "Marriage" shows CBS is not shying away from reality projects that might draw a few pointed editorials in the wake of the network's previous envelope-pushing social experiment, the fall 2007 series "Kid Nation."

The marriage series comes on the heels of CBS' success with traditional scripted fare this past fall, led by hit new procedural "The Mentalist."

Although it might seem surprising that CBS would opt for a potentially hot-button series when it's on a roll with tried-and-true concepts, reality TV is unlike scripted. New dramas and comedies can get away with showing merely the slightest twist on a decades-old format. But reality shows are built on taking chances with social experiments and competitions giving viewers something they have not seen before.

Still, "Marriage" will inevitably draw comparisons to another arranged-marriage reality show, Fox's infamous "Married by America."

The short-lived 2003 series drew fire from conservative groups, and one bachelor party scene containing pixelated nudity resulted in the FCC's slapping Fox stations with a $1.18 million fine (which was reduced last month to $91,000).

CBS' project contains some key differences.

In "Married," couples were paired by viewers voting from home and then sequestered in a hotel to learn more about each other.

CBS' project presents itself as a documentary series about finding true love, a show that extends the Eastern tradition of an arranged marriage (where friends and family select the mate) into the West.

Another difference is that on "Married," despite the pundit outcry, nobody on the show actually ended up getting hitched.

On CBS, reality TV couples will really tie the knot.

Comments

[Derric]

Why doesn't the author simply type "Arranged Marriage" or "Married by America" the entire article? I had to read it a few times because I got confused by "Married" and "Marriage". I felt like I was taking a reading comprehension quiz. I passed, by the way.

[Carmen]

Isn't this really about preparing us for Sharia law? Next: flogging your children and honor killings.

[HappyGuy]

Arranged marriage has existed for thousands of years. Only recently, in the last 200 years or so, has the western notions of romance and love, combined with books, magazines and movies produced a new way for young people to get together. Many other factors play a part as well.
My marriage was arranged. I would not have chosen, or even met my future wife. It has worked out very well for our family. We have two well-adjusted and very successful children. They are confident, capable and helful towards others. They understand the difference between right and wrong. They are well-liked by their peers.
The bottom line is: Do todays parents share a deep-rooted, unshakeable common philosophy and purpose? A higher goal of being good and loving partners and taking the responsibility of being a parent very seriously. We waited for years before becoming parents. We wanted to be ready in every way-spiritually, emotionally and financially, before having kids.
Arranged marriage isn't for everyone. Most people feel that their ability to choose their mate is better than someone elses'. We (men) are physically attracted to a beautiful woman or (women) to a man with a lot of money. Eventually, those attractions fade and what are we left with? A painfully high divorce rate with the children of those ill-conceived marriages left to pay the penalty.
It takes a lot of courage and strength to make an arranged marriage work.

[L.Laurent]

This is disgusting. A majority of our nation considers it a travesty for gays to marry, and yet this will be household entertainment. Will the Mormons be shelling out millions to block this from tarnishing the sanctity of marriage? Probably not.

[Rebekah]

The difference here is that your marriage wasn't arranged in order to entertain the masses.

[Ruth]

What makes you think the Mormons will not come out against this???
Find out your facts before you speak out!!
And I don't care what the gays do, just leave the word Marriage out of it!!!!!!

[Panama]

L Laurent wants to marry his doggie.

[Proud Westerner]

Silly. I doubt I'll watch this show. I couldn't care less about the Eastern tradition of arranged marriage, or any of their traditions for that matter. Here in the West we believe in such things as free will and courtship.

[Matt Lower]

Good...now we can arrange the marriage of Dan rather and a rock...a match made in the bowels of cBS.

[Old55]

I support the western tradition, marry an American woman. She leaves you and takes everything you pay her total support the next twenty years and die bankrupt.

[Doug Rose]

This is When Abortion & Pelosi's Contraception Bill comes into Play !
How about a Reality Show on Tax Cheats and how to get away with it? Plenty of contestants in the White House I bet !

[RJ Yonker]

Enough of these cheap reality shows!!!! Who watches this garbage?? Talk about the dumbing down of America!!!!!

[Gob Bluth]

This, like 99.999999% of mainstream "entertainment" is a complete joke. Almost a big of a joke as the institution of marriage, but not quite. Marriage is an archaic social institution meant to confine people by placing invisible barriers and imposing morality on them. More than half end in divorce, but yet you religious idiots preach about the sanctity of marriage. What a joke, go talk to Ted Haggard or any other of the hypocritical preachers or politicians about how sanctimonious their marriage is/was.

[al]

Hey Happy Guy, are you going to arange marriages for your well adjusted children, or have you raised them to be free thinkers and choosers...just wondering.

[Alan]

Do you live in America? No one is forced to get married here. Also, for those married couples that practice faith together, divorce rate is below 8%. Marriage did not fail T. Haggard, he failed but his wife has been an example of grace and forgiveness.

[Tomahawk]

I guess we religious idiots will not be seeing you in hell "God Bluth". You are free to believe what you believe and we are free to do the same. Your'e probably real fun to be around.....most people probably turn around and go the opposite direction when they see you. Too bad you will die alone.

[me.yahoo.com/a/01BLuJxnto1aU6W4ox.fHRbto1CgidXQiJ7m]

Why not try this Sharia law marriage thing. The Obama has already married my money to his massive earmark bailouts.

[Foxbat]

Boring idea for a show and a boring article.

[Justice]

Ted Haggard is gay and refuses to believe it.
But you say the key is to practice faith together to have a wonderful marriage? What about Jimmy Swaggart? What about Senator Larry Craig of Idaho? What about Seantor Vitter of Louisiana? What about Governor McGreevey of New Jersey? What about Congressman Mark Foley? I can go on and on and on . . . All of these men purported to be deeply religious and appeared to lead pious Christian lives.

[J-K]

What I don't get is: How can you trust a soul-less website to pick your mate for you over your family? Arranged marriages today are merely introductions, very similar to the online dating sites. The male usually selects from a list of compatible females, but the females still have to agree to it.

[HappyGuy]

At first I thought this was a sarcastic, mocking type of comment, but it's a really good question Al. Honestly, I am not sure. I guess it would depend on them. I have a son and daughter.
You may be confusing arranged marriage with forced/arranged marriage. I don't agree with that. My marriage was not forced.
Mostly, I don't worry about it too much. I am more concerned that they learn good, solid decision-making skills. I would hope that they would put off marriage until their education is complete and they are on track toward a good future and are able to support themselves.
If either came to me and asked what I thought, then I would tell them how I see it. Much like I said in my earlier post. I advocate a disciplined approach to "free thinking and choosing". haha That is, God didn't create us as programmed robots. We have free choice and freedom to make mistakes. Freedom to love. With that freedom comes responsibility. I just want them to know how important marriage is and if they ask for advice, I would offer it.

[Zahra]

What a stupid, ignorant and racist comment. Many societies practice arranged marriages (and arranged does not mean forced; think of it as a human doing eharmony's job). "Flogging children" and honor killings have nothing to do with Sharia. Shame on you for perpetuating stereotypes that have no basis in reality.

[Jim Peterson]

One thing that should really concern the Republican Party is the idea that people still partly define "conservative" as "being against nudity on TV" or other heterosexual expressions.

Conservative should mean disliking big government and sticking up for individual liberty as opposed to collective lawmaking and regulation or taxation of individuals for the common good.

In this day and age it is the kiss of death for the Republican Party to be associated with sexual puritanism and opposition to norms such as premarital sex and pornography - both of which are going nowhere and which are supported by young otherwise Republican males like most of our troops.

That isn't to say that the Republicans shouldn't promote marriage as opposed to the feminist utopia that has men and women living separate lives of independence from one another. But Republicans are too afraid to even mention the word "feminism" now...even after males decided to sit out the past two elections because of Republican pandering to feminists.

[Mom4]

Doubt this will fly long. The good reality shows are on cable. I like those that we can watch as a family, especially with teen agers. G's to Gents was awesome. Set a different tone as to how young men should act.

[Matt Lower]

Didn't they do this show already? A movie where a flaming homo marries his sheep in the state of Massachusettes? Wasn't it called Brokeback Mountain? Baaa Baaa

[George]

It is our right to be racist, yes our GOD GIVEN RIGHT. As an example, Every news story about the new administration points out to us the difference. I thought we were supposed to have blinders on and not see any difference?

[Mikey]

How dare you insult "the religion of peace" (lol). If CBS wants to further perpetuate the idea that marriage is a disposable institution there is an easy way to show them our lack of support. Just don't watch. There will still be plenty of morally bankrupt lemmings watching though. BTW Islam isn't a race. It is a warped set of ideas giftwrapped in dynamite. If anything Carmens comments are prejudiced, albeit a well informed prejudice.

[Elli]

How about "Arranged marriages with Tax Cheatin' Presidential Appointees" OR: "Arranged marriages with illegal nannies, housekeepers, gardeners, chauffers, cooks, and personal assistants"? OR, my favorite: "Pimp My Houseboat"

[Josephine6Pack]

Folks, this show isn't about marriage, arranged, forced or otherwise. This is about UNreality-reality, scripted-UNscripted drivel being foisted on the viewing public as "entertainment." The shock value of strangers getting married for a TV show is supposed to bring in millions of Neilsen Families so the network can make the most bucks for their advertising seconds and make their investors happy.

If the Neilsen Families find some common sense and don't watch it, the show goes away. Too bad the rest of us don't count.

I'm sure this show will in no way reflect the real life aspects of "arranged marriage" - good or bad. Remember this is not happening in the "real world;" it is happening within the confines of the TV show's parameters. Not a valuable test at all.

"Reality" shows bear no relation to REAL whatsoever. TV entertainment is an oxymoron!

[Matt Lower? Really?]

Here's an idea Matt Lower (shudder) why don't you do us all a favor, lock yourself in your trailer for the next 8 years, with your shotgun pointed at the door cowering in fear. Then when the homo's come a courtin', you can do us all a favor and leave this world free of one less redneck.

I am fairly certain the only sheep-sexers out there exist in your sorry plane of existence. Maybe it springs from all that good old fashioned deep-seeded homosexual repression.

But seriously, how enraged are you that a colored man became president? I bet seething jealousy looks good on you.

[Tina]

The only good reality shows are game shows like Jeopardy, The Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune, Pyramid, etc.... ORIGINAL reality TV...the drama and suspense is real, not scripted, overly edited, and fake. If I want to watch people act then I might as well watch a REAL sitcom or drama on TV with REAL, trained actors...not wannabe losers who think a reality TV show will open a door to huge blockbuster movies and the red carpet.

[dave]

Arranged marriages were once common in the United States.

[Jamesb]

Will this show feature the two young daughters of a extremely prominant political figure with an uncertain place of birth and potentially a Muslim upbringing? Will female genitallia mutilations be next for CBS? I think many of us alive today will see the fall of dinosaur network TV...it can't happen soon enough.

[paul]

I agree

[Reality TV?]

Only "real" reality show I can think of is called Deadliest Catch.

[Doug Rose]

And in what Century did that take place in ?

[Doug Rose]

Maybe have Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reed get married and live in Sin together!
Maybe one would succumb during strenuous Heavy Sex?
One would only Hope !

[Kate]

You gotta be kidding me. "Giftwrapped in dynamite?" A few extremists does not a religion make.

[Citizen Soldier]

Maybe CBS can have a show featuring pregnant teens competing for an government paid abortion next. No wonder they can't get anyone to watch there garbage.

[Citizen Soldier]

Me thinks thou dost protest too much Zahra. You are free to leave, unlike many in areas ruled by stupid, ignorant, and racist clerics. I will let you decide which religion might feature those.