12 Terrible Ideas for a Reality Show

Idea: “Let’s mock the very idea of marriage by having two strangers get married on national television!”

That Led To: “Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?” (Fox, 2000)/”Married in America” (Fox, 2003)

Did It Fail Miserably? Thankfully, yes. “Multi-Millionaire” was a much-publicized debacle that ended in a quickly annulled union for nurse Darva Conger and “millionaire” Rick Rockwell. But Fox didn’t learn its lesson and came back three years ... more 

Idea: “Let’s mock the very idea of marriage by having two strangers get married on national television!”

That Led To: “Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?” (Fox, 2000)/”Married in America” (Fox, 2003)

Did It Fail Miserably? Thankfully, yes. “Multi-Millionaire” was a much-publicized debacle that ended in a quickly annulled union for nurse Darva Conger and “millionaire” Rick Rockwell. But Fox didn’t learn its lesson and came back three years later with “America,” which aimed to find spouses for five single contestants… and let viewers decide who’d get married to whom by voting! We’re happy to report that no actual marriages took place, and “America’s” honeymoon lasted just one season. less