With Valentine’s Day past, the season of love is seemingly over for most. However, channel 4 is back with its hit show married at first sight Australia, where struggling singles get blindly pared together as they meet for the first time at the altar. Rather than just being another mind-numbing reality show, this one is founded in the idea that following advice from the love experts (John Aiken, Mel Schilling, and Alessandra Rampolla) and complying with their tasks that lasting love with pursue. However, despite it being a very entertaining show, the debate as to how real this ‘reality’ show truly is has gotten more attention in recent years. 

The main question amongst all the international branches of the show appears to be ‘is it scripted?’ While the simple answer is no, as multiple past cast members have stated that they were never given a script or forced to memorise lines, there are other production aspects which hint to a heavily controlled environment, such as having to repeat thoughts to the camera. Firstly, there are the matches. Over numerous seasons there have been parings which simply, in the eyes of the audience, do not make sense. Most notably in the previous season this being Ellie and Ben. It seems baffling that a woman so clearly wishing for dreams of a perfect family life be pared with a man so undecided of what he wants, especially in terms of such a life changing decision, such as having children. Although, within the same season a wildcard paring of Tori and Jack had an unexpected success rate, with the pair being together over a year after meeting at the altar. Therefore, both experts and producers appear to play with the idea of high risk, high reward pairings in each season, with whether it works being down to the individuals. 

Secondly, like all reality shows, editing plays a large role in how both narratives play out as well as how the audience is supposed to perceive individuals. From purposely playing suspenseful music during conversations, to the order in which couples enter the dinner parties, much of the group events in the show are heavily produced. However, it should be noted that the drama which ensues and emotions that emerge are far from constructed. Within such a tense and scrutinising process, it is understandable that conflict would naturally arise. 

Despite this, those who are clearly orchestrating it within the show are almost always called out as it goes against the purpose of the show which is to find love. Therefore, the apparent ‘fakeness’ is ultimately not true despite what the edit wants to make audiences believe. 

Over the last season, both contestants and producers have made a large effort to call out controversial behaviour amongst particularly the male contestants. This need was highlighted after a series of misogynistic comments made during a fight between 2024 contestants Jack and Lauren. Since then, the backlash Jack received permanently ruined his public image as well as ensured the show expressed their immense disapproval publicly to all involved. With comments as harmful as those he made, these actions were not scripted, while also highlighting the dangers of reality TV if feuding cast-mates are left without intervention. 

Despite the highs and lows of each season, MAFS does have a good success rate with some of their previous casts staying together and eventually getting legally married (as on the show no marriage certificate is signed). So, while I’m certain the drama we all love will ensue, hopefully long-lasting love will also blossom. 

Photo credit: Unsplash