There’s a wealth of television to watch these days. With new and changing covid-19 regulations being released every day, plenty of people are still staying in binge-watching all the latest shows. Of course, shows on Oprah Winfrey’s tv network OWN have certainly kept up interests among viewers during the pandemic. OWN’s hit series Love And Marriage: Huntsville is the latest reality-tv series to grace audiences' screens and it’s certainly getting everyone talking. The tv-series features three successful black married couples who try to navigate their high-profile businesses as well as overcoming their marital problems. Love And Marriage: Huntsville has received critical acclaim from audiences, given that it provides a positive insight into black relationships. By the series being renewed for a fourth season just goes to show how great it’s doing. Despite all the positive reviews though, critics still like to pick the show apart. In part, some are wondering if the reality series is real or fake?
Producer Claims The Show Is Unscripted
Most audiences expect that reality-tv shows are scripted pieces meant to showcase drama and stir up gossip. We’ve witnessed reality stars spill their dirty laundry, backstab their castmates and end up in physical altercations, all while the cameras were rolling. While some of these shows are scripted, some provide truly genuine content. OWN’s Love And Marriage: Huntsville, however, falls into a separate category on the reality-tv spectrum, as its famous executive producer Carlos King claims the series is truly “organic” in its approach.
During an interview with AL.com, the reality-tv king revealed the reason why he agreed to work on the show in the first place had a lot to do with the relatability of the castmates, especially superstar real estate couple Melody and Martell Holt. King noted that their backstories and personal lives spoke to him so much that he had no choice but to agree to produce the series. Additionally, many of the castmates have already established a mutual connection before setting foot onto the show, which just created a great sense of chemistry across the three couples. AL.com even reported that many of the cast members were “former Alabama A&M classmates.” Relatability and sensibility are two ingredients we need to see more of on tv.
The Right Setting
While having good chemistry on set makes for great tv, Carlos King also explained that the environment and setting plays a major role in crafting an honest television series as well. The executive producer of The Real Housewives of Atlanta noted that one of the biggest challenges he’s faced is filming the cast members in an environment where they feel comfortable discussing their personal lives. The executive producer explains he’s established such a great relationship with the cast members of the show, to the point where they feel like they’re in a safe enough space to share details about their relationship troubles. “There isn’t a script they’re relying on. There isn’t a character that they have to study and showcase that to the world. I do think reality stars, if you will, don’t get the credit they deserve for showcasing their real authentic lives in front of millions of people where they are being judged,” King told AL.com. Basically, what you see is what you get. Carlos King and his crew spend hours with the cast, especially Melody Holt who has openly shared her marital issues with the executive producer—filming conversations and “real-life moments” on the show. The executive producer is keen on providing a detailed and realistic account of the married lives of the three successful couples, including the not-so-nice parts of their relationship.
Is Love And Marriage: Huntsville Becoming Just Another Drama-Filled Reality Show?
Despite all the positive reviews and the originality of the OWN tv series, the show has faced scrutiny in its last seasons. Season 3 of the OWN series has certainly taken a turn for the worst, given Melody and Martell Holt’s hectic divorce details and the Scotts airing out their dirty laundry. Not to mention, the couple’s mothers taken part in a social media feud over Holt’s divorce, only adding more fuel to the fire. It could be that Love And Marriage: Huntsville has fallen into the same trap that all reality-tv shows fall into eventually; exploiting people and their relationships for the sake of entertainment.
Critics of the show have expressed their disappointment in the new developments. Some have even noted that they don’t understand the point of the show anymore. Though, one of the show's producers took to social media to justify the series of new installments, basically stating that “marriage isn’t always pretty.” While that’s true, the show has been marketed as a different take on the lives and marriages of three successful black couples. The series is certainly not following suit.
At first glance, Love and Marriage: Huntsville seemed like the perfect antidote to the long-standing plague that is reality-tv. After watching a few episodes, it’s clear to see that many castmates have a certain familiarity with one another that seems authentic. Though, season 3 raises a lot of questions for the series, mainly concerning the excessive drama involved. Love And Marriage: Huntsville may have started off as a genuinely honest project about three successful black married couples but ultimately, it’s become unrecognizable.
