The Marriage Ref: Season 1

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 11 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 77 Ratings

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3.8

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3.8	Your Score
3.8	User Score Generally unfavorable reviews based on 77 Ratings

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Season Details & Credits

Season Premiere Date: February 28, 2010

Starring: Marv Albert, Natalie Morales, Tom Papa

Summary: Jerry Seinfeld returns to NBC to produce a reality show where celebrities watch a couple's arguement and decide on who is the winner.

Genre(s): Comedy

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Show Guide

39
Series Overview
40
Season 1 Overview
Air Date: February 28, 2010
tbd
12. Demi Moore, Jim Breuer, and Kelly Ripa
Air Date: May 20, 2010
tbd
11. Howie Mandel, Bette Midler and Craig Robinson
Air Date: May 13, 2010
tbd
10. Gwyneth Paltrow, Jerry Seinfeld, and Greg Giraldo
Air Date: May 6, 2010
tbd
9. Sarah Silverman, Matthew Broderick and Martin Short
Air Date: April 29, 2010
tbd
8. Adam Carolla, Gloria Estefan, Donald Trump
Air Date: April 22, 2010
tbd
7. Tracy Morgan, Kathy Griffin and Nathan Lane
Air Date: April 8, 2010
tbd
6. Kirstie Alley, Sheryl Crow and Jimmy Fallon
Air Date: April 1, 2010
tbd
5. Jerry Seinfeld, Kelly Ripa, Alec Baldwin
Air Date: March 25, 2010
tbd
4. Cedric the Entertainer, Martha Stewart, Jason Alexander
Air Date: March 18, 2010
tbd
3. Madonna, Larry David, Ricky Gervais
Air Date: March 11, 2010
tbd
2. Jerry Seinfeld, Tina Fey, Eva Longoria Parker
Air Date: March 4, 2010
tbd
1. Jerry Seinfeld, Kelly Ripa, Alec Baldwin
Air Date: February 28, 2010

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

The New York Times - Alessandra Stanley

This show, too, is funny, despite a cheesy game show premise. Read full review

Salon - Heather Havrilesky

Yes, Tom Papa's affectations can be a little much sometimes. Yes, they should turn down the microphone when everyone is laughing. Yes, they should lose the dorky bit where Natalie Morales from NBC News sits in front of a computer and looks up information online. But the rest? Married people, angry at each other? Celebrities, making fun of each other? Chicken cutlets? I'm in. Read full review

Variety - Brian Lowry

The resulting half-hour offered a breezy, inexpensive approach to comedy that brought to mind the panel shows of yesteryear. Read full review

Los Angeles Times - Robert Lloyd

Sunday night I mostly felt I was watching funny people being less funny than they are in their day jobs. What should have appeared spontaneous came off, even when it clearly was spontaneous, as worked-over, the fun seemed insisted upon. Read full review

Boston Globe - Matthew Gilbert

The Jerry Seinfeld-produced reality show may just slide backward into the ditch and push NBC farther down into the hole....It was an underwhelming, contrived product that didn’t bode well for the hourlong version of the series. Read full review

Washington Post - Hank Stuever

Even The Marriage Ref audience is guffawing in a way that sounds fake. Some think Seinfeld can do no wrong, but what he's created here is anachronistic, flat and even mean-spirited. Read full review

Baltimore Sun - David Zurawik

This show doesn't deserve a spot in daytime syndication, let alone a key position in prime time. I am serious, there were better game shows on in the 1950s when budgets were miniscule, technology was primitive and few producers yet knew how to use the medium of television. Read full review

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User Score

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3.8

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User Reviews

veronicach

Apr 12, 2011

I am so surprized that this show recieved such negitive feedback! I thought it was such a fresh idea. The panel has great stars. The couples and thier problems are hillarious, and the host is funny. I love the concept. Its true enough that every relationship needs a ref from time to time.I am so surprized that this show recieved such negitive feedback! I thought it was such a fresh idea. The panel has great stars. The couples and thier problems are hillarious, and the host is funny. I love the concept. Its true enough that every relationship needs a ref from time to time. The irony that celebrities get to judge non celebs marriages for a change is brilliant. Myself and quite a few people I know will be tuning in next season… Expand

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