In an example of "no concept is too trashy" a Los Angeles-based company is trying to sell a new game show called Who Wants to Marry a U.S. Citizen which shows matrimony between immigrants and legal citizens of the United States. The show's creator Adrian Martinez and their backer Morusa Media apparently want to show that true love knows no boundaries.People, this is prostitution. Granted that most television is prostitution in one form or another but this is more blatant than most. The show is taking advantage of people from economically depressed countries and giving them a change to make more money just for having sex, er, marrying a U.S. citizen. I can only trust that this show will have people of all races, sexes, colors and creeds trying to manipulate their way into a better economy, just to be fair.I think the show would be more interesting if the U.S. citizens participating in the "nuptials" if upon divorce they lose their own U.S. citizenship. Then they have something to lose. Or perhaps force the couples to actually date each other beforehand and see that the cultural differences are vast if not insurmountable.
I can't wait for the sequel series, Who Wants to Divorce a U.S. Citizen.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-01-2007 @ 6:20PM
Secret Asian Man said...
This kind of marriage happens all the time.
Citizens of other countries pay a US citizen to marry them and bring them to the US. Then, they stay married for about 3 years and divorce whereupon the immigrant has already become a US citizen.
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12-01-2007 @ 10:54PM
ryan said...
This is completely untrue, you must reside in the US legally for 7 years before you can apply for citizenship.
12-01-2007 @ 7:42PM
Mandy said...
First of all, it's going to be tough for the immigrant to prove to immigration services that they are not marrying simply for citizenship when the entire relationship is documented on network television. Second, although I think this type of show is wrong, I really don't see much of a difference between this and The Bachelor. In that show, the bachelor has nothing to lose and the final bachelorettes are basically exchanging sex for continuing their 15 minutes of fame and having a chance at a diamond ring.
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12-01-2007 @ 7:48PM
A Viewer said...
This kind of marriage does happen frequently. However, making a reality show about it is kind of preposterous.
Are you sure it isn't a hoax? (I'm thinking that it might be a sting by U.S. immigration officials.)
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12-01-2007 @ 8:21PM
Tristan said...
who is going to watch this show!!!!!
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12-01-2007 @ 8:55PM
jackbauer said...
sadly it will find an audience....the average american
-sigh- wut is the america becoming!
12-01-2007 @ 11:51PM
eugene said...
Nice swipe at americans, how about all those illegals sneaking into the country, clogging up our hospitals, roads and schools? You think maybe they would be interested in a show where they can get cut in on the line of honest IMMIGRANTS who are trying to obey the laws of their new chosen country?
12-01-2007 @ 11:51PM
eugene said...
Nice swipe at americans, how about all those illegals sneaking into the country, clogging up our hospitals, roads and schools? You think maybe they would be interested in a show where they can get cut in on the line of honest IMMIGRANTS who are trying to obey the laws of their new chosen country?
12-01-2007 @ 8:32PM
Eric said...
Three years?
My uncle got married seven years ago, and his wife just became a citizen in October.
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12-01-2007 @ 8:50PM
Secret Asian Man said...
Perhaps your uncle's wife was in no hurry to apply for US citizenship.
12-01-2007 @ 9:15PM
RazorD said...
..if this wont make AMPTP pay up, nothing will :(
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12-01-2007 @ 11:17PM
wil said...
Haha. I came here to say the same thing.
The sad part is, though, I bet you this garbage draws the same audience as Wife Swap, Shot at Love, and the other trashy "reality" shows out there.
12-02-2007 @ 6:02AM
RazorD said...
Exactly!
I'm british, and you can guarantee they'll make a U.K spin off should it ever air.
Plus, the AMPTP probably will just rub there hands together and think 'less script = less development costs'.
Maybe we should come up with our own reality TV idea and pitch!
10 geeks. one comic book. and a series of geek-challenges. (you know, talking to women. playing sports. etc).
The sad thing is - i'd probably watch a show like that :(
12-01-2007 @ 9:34PM
bruce said...
This is flat-out immigration fraud, someone will be going to federal prison. I'd love to see the "release" all the contestants have to sign to be on the show. At the very least it's solicitation of immigration fraud.
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12-01-2007 @ 10:48PM
bsgfan2003 said...
I hope this is a hoax.
Let's see, producers encouraging people to do something they know is wrong. Then expecting the viewer to enjoy the human suffering and illegality of the premise.
I can say without blushing that I like some reality tv, but this notion is filth.
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12-01-2007 @ 11:17PM
Johari said...
I would love to see Natasha from America's Next Top Model, Cycle 8 host it.
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12-02-2007 @ 12:24AM
James said...
haha i'm not going to lie this actually looks kind of good.
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12-02-2007 @ 11:52AM
eric f. said...
"The show is taking advantage of people from economically depressed countries and giving them a change to make more money just for having sex, er, marrying a U.S. citizen."
I think the premise of this show is pathetic, but I don't think anyone is being taken advantage of.
And regarding another commenter, the show states that the contestants have temporary visas. There are no illegal immigrants involved.
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12-02-2007 @ 12:36PM
bsgfan2003 said...
Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I always understood that it is illegal to marry someone for the sole purpose of gaining citizenship. (Visa status is irrelavant)
12-02-2007 @ 4:07PM
Dana said...
Here's a link to the press release.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/071128/law129.html?.v=55
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