8 Indications That Married At First Sight Experts May Be Replaced Next Season Due to Poor Performance

Married At First Sight has hit a rough patch in its 18th season, leaving viewers concerned about the future of the show’s experts. As the drama unfolds, it appears increasingly likely that the current MAFS experts may be replaced next season due to mounting frustrations with their effectiveness. Fans have expressed dissatisfaction with how the experts have been handling the relationships showcased on the series. While the experts typically play a role in the early stages of the couples’ journeys, this season has highlighted their questionable involvement.

Across recent seasons, audience sentiment has turned critical regarding the performance of the experts. Dr. Pepper Schwartz, a long-standing member since season one, continues to be present, but the other advisors have varying levels of experience. Pastor Cal Roberson, who joined in season four, brings valuable relationship insights, while Dr. Pia Holec, new to the show in season 15, offers a different perspective. Despite their individual backgrounds, the experts have been struggling to establish successful matches throughout the series.

Historically, prior to season 12, Decision Days would witness multiple couples opting to stay together, with many of them thriving after the show ended. Unfortunately, the current experts have failed to maintain this historical success rate, with a sharp decline in the number of lasting couples. The recent decline can be traced back to manipulative behavior from cast members during season 17, when some attempted to mislead experts and producers for favorable editing. As a result, critical adjustments were evidently needed for the ongoing season, but viewers are observing repetitive issues yet again.

8 MAFS Exhibits Decreased Success Rates

Only Two Couples Have Lasted in Recent Seasons

As viewers keep up with the latest developments in Married At First Sight, they have witnessed an unsettling pattern: a lack of enduring relationships. Over the past six seasons, only two out of thirty couples have achieved lasting success. While perfection isn’t expected, the statistics regarding relationship viability have been dismal.

The few shining examples include Bryan Myles and Vincent Morales from season 12, who are now married with a child, and Nicole Woley and Chris Thielk from season 16, who are also continuing their journey together. However, the stark reality is that very few couples have triumphed since.

7 Pastor Cal Roberson Faces Challenges in Guidance

Difficulty Distancing Himself

Despite his long-standing presence since season four, Pastor Cal Roberson struggles to connect with the evolving landscape of relationships depicted on the show. His primary focus on religious principles can pose challenges for some couples looking for relatable guidance. Notably, Pastor Cal’s approach tends to lack adaptability, often resulting in solutions that may not cater to the unique complexities faced by different couples.

Though he has been a supportive figure for some, his inability to offer more nuanced advice during tense situations has become apparent, leaving couples wondering if they are receiving the support they truly need.

6 Inadequate Expert Involvement This Season

Lack of Expert Presence

This season’s portrayal of the experts has seen them significantly reduced compared to their earlier roles in previous seasons. Historically, the MAFS experts have had a prominent role early on in the season, guiding couples as they embark on their journey together. However, viewers have expressed concern about the glaring absence of expert guidance during crucial moments.

In season 18, their limited appearances have left couples to navigate their challenges largely on their own. As a result, the show has fostered an environment where the experts seem to be ghosting their roles, potentially signaling a shift in the series’ format.

5 Dr. Pia Holec’s Aggressive Counseling Style

Tactical Bias in Counseling

Since joining the MAFS team, Dr. Pia Holec has adopted a unique counseling approach that many participants have found difficult to engage with. Couples from season 18 have repeatedly mentioned challenges in adapting to her confrontational style, which they perceive to escalate rather than resolve conflicts.

Dr. Pia appears to treat counseling sessions with an adversarial mindset, approaching discussions as if they were courtroom battles rather than supportive interactions. This shift in style has created an environment that feels hostile to some participants, complicating their progress.

4 Couples Left to Self-Counsel

Working in Isolation

This season has also witnessed a troubling trend of couples grappling with their relationship challenges largely in isolation. The lack of personalization and support from MAFS experts has left participants fumbling through their early relationship stages, often relying solely on each other for guidance. Without expert insight, these couples find themselves stuck in an echo chamber, struggling to reach mutual understanding and resolution.

As early challenges arise, the absence of expert input has impeded communication and problem-solving efforts among the couples, creating a sense of frustration and confusion.

3 Dr. Pepper Schwartz: A Longstanding Presence

Potential Overstay in Her Role

Dr. Pepper Schwartz’s tenure as an expert is a double-edged sword: while her experience is an asset, it may also hinder her effectiveness. Having been a pillar of the show since its inception, there is growing concern that her long-standing role may dampen the show’s potential for revitalization.

Although Dr. Pepper often provides valuable insights, her established patterns could cloud her judgment when it comes to pairing new couples. A renewal period away from the spotlight could rejuvenate her approach, though immediate replacement may ultimately be necessary for the series’ revival.

2 The Experts’ Matchmaking Challenges

Lack of Credible Matching Justifications

The recent matchmaking special aimed to showcase the diagnostics behind the expert selections for matching couples, featuring Dr. Pepper, Dr. Pia, and Pastor Cal articulating their rationale as they met with candidates. Their discussions highlighted what each participant sought in relationships, leading to a sense of confidence among the experts in their choices.

However, the special did little to alleviate viewer skepticism. Instead, many felt that the experts struggled to convincingly rationalize their matchmaking decisions, raising concerns about the likelihood of genuine compatibility. Post-special, audience members expressed skepticism regarding the success and compatibility of the chosen couples for this season.

1 Lack of Cohesion Among MAFS Experts

The Married At First Sight experts possess a diverse array of skills and insights, but their differing paradigms hinder their effectiveness as a cohesive unit. Without a unified strategy or shared objectives, experts seem detached from the ongoing developments in the relationships they crafted.

This lack of cohesion not only impacts how the experts intervene but has also contributed to the show’s dismal success rate. As each expert operates independently, it raises the question of whether a more synchronized approach could enhance the likelihood of stronger, consistent matches. MAFS has become increasingly evident that the collective strategy of its experts might be in need of a serious overhaul, potentially threatening the show’s viability.

Married At First Sight airs every Tuesday at 8 p.m. EST on Lifetime.

Source: Dr. Pia Holec /Instagram

Source&Images

8 Indications That Married At First Sight Experts May Be Replaced Next Season Due to Poor Performance

8 MAFS Exhibits Decreased Success Rates

Only Two Couples Have Lasted in Recent Seasons