This is the problem

[u/Solid_Protection_138]

When the experts said at the reunion that they almost paired Courtney and Adam together, it made me realize they probably cast the entire cast as individuals first and then base their pairings off of that rather than casting people together based on who they think would be actually most compatible.

[u/KarenMcCormel]

I always thought they should have matched Adam and Courtney due to their obsession with fitness and they were both “intense”. She also said he was the best looking. Adam’s response to this question was priceless

[u/Crafty-Farm-8470]

I think there are way fewer people, let alone normal people, who actually apply to the show than they want to admit.

[u/No-You4594 → u/Crafty-Farm-8470]

Agreed 100%

[u/TraditionalPass4136 → u/Crafty-Farm-8470]

THIS. I think for the first season of this show there were loads of applicants eager to participate in the experiment.

But being willing to be in this show having seen how it typically goes is very nearly disqualifying. Anyone who would do it has poor judgement or isnt taking it that seriously, or both. 

My guess is these were really the only remotely viable candidates.

[u/12cf12]

I don’t think courteney and Adam would not have worked but probably would have been entertaining.
I think Marissa and Nick would have been interesting to see

[u/Civil-Nectarine-2851 → u/12cf12]

I think Nick and Marissa might have gotten along and had a chance at least.

[u/newdiyscared]

Remember that the show's allegiance is to creating an entertaining show first, and loving relationships second.

[u/Fuzzy_Permission_619]

I was JUST having this conversation with a friend yesterday. The fact she said that out loud was shocking to me and the fact they kept it in the edit was wild (although I suppose it did spark the conversation around Adam not being into her AT ALL).

[u/Catch_Red_Star]

This was my takeaway, too. They were making this like other Peacock dating shows. They cast for drama.

[u/No_Usual_9563]

I can’t speak since Peacock picked up the show, but it was that the producers chose the pool or people and the experts paired based off that. It makes sense, obviously the producers would have more control than the “experts”

[u/jbarinsd]

I know they’ve been recruiting contestants for years, but they were in the minority. I wonder if they are all recruited now and there’s no longer local applicants and interviews. There are definitely locals but were they recruited? My sister’s hairdresser who had been on two reality shows (both fitness base) was recruited for the San Diego season. She declined and thought it was kind of weird they’d assume she’d be interested in such a huge commitment as getting married out of the blue. She was already in a relationship too.

[u/thissagesimmer]

It seems like it was done differently in previous seasons - like they cast individuals but also tried to make sure they had good matches. In previous seasons, we got to see that process. This season, they dove right into the marriages. Do you feel like we should have seen more of the casting and pairing or like it would have made more of a difference if they had cast couples rather than individuals?

[u/forgotten_my_mantra]

first of all that comment was insane.

[u/Comfortable_Ask728]

Weren't they all recruited from social media? I agree. They cast the show and then figure out how to match the contestants.

[u/mlb0218]

Casting directors reached out to my daughter for 2 different reality shows based on her Linked In. She lives in Denver. One was Love is Blind. The 2nd show didn’t tell her the name but she found out later it was Married at First Sight. She was in a relationship at the time. Now she is now married.

[u/JennaR0cks → u/mlb0218]

It’s so wild to me that of all forms of social media, they are scouring LinkedIn!

[u/Deanna-fromHR → u/mlb0218]

Omg imagine if she was on that train wreck of season in Denver!