Pastor Cal and Dr. Viviana Coles are going from matching couples they think are ready for marriage to working with people who can’t hold down a relationship in their new series Married At First Sight: Unmatchables. They admit that people have a lot to contend with these days, especially with the prevalence of dating apps. When Screen Rant sat down with Pastor Cal and Dr. Coles, they had definite opinions on how dating apps have influenced the dating world.
The experts have had highs and lows in their time so far on Married at First Sight. Season 12 saw the disastrous pairing of Chris Williams, who broke off an engagement shortly before appearing on the show, only to find out his ex was pregnant with his child. That overshadowed the more successful pairings of Vincent and Briana, who worked hard on their relationship and bravely opened up honestly about their pasts, dreams and fears. When the experts get it right, it’s beautiful. Married At First Sight: Unmatchables gives them a chance to work with people who need extra help.
One piece of advice they won’t be giving out on Married At First Sight: Unmatchables is to use dating apps. Pastor Cal and Dr. Coles both agree that dating apps have only had a negative effect on the world of dating. With little investment and little commitment, dating apps aren’t going to lead to anything long-term, and for most people, having tons of short flings is frustrating and empty. Pastor Cal said, “People are tired of online dating…They’re tired of swiping left, swiping right. That’s not dating. That’s shopping!” Dr. Coles agreed. “You can keep going and shopping and shopping and shopping. But if you’re really looking for marriage…it’s with one person and you gotta pick them.”
But it isn’t just apps that are making dating harder. It’s also social media. As Dr. Coles put it, “With social media, there’s an impression that…everything is a fantasy, that there’s someone else right around the corner.” Serial daters and people who are waiting for some imaginary, perfect soulmate are exactly the kind of people the experts will be attempting to help in their new series. Dr. Coles said, “One of the makeovers we do [on Married At First Sight: Unmatchables] is talking about settling down and settling in.”
As long as people keep skimming dating apps, they’re never going to find long-term happiness. The relationship experts know love doesn’t come as easy as swiping right. Anyone who wants a long-term commitment is going to have to do the work or risk being like show villain Chris Williams. With the help of the experts, even people who have been deemed Married At First Sight: Unmatchable can overcome their obstacles and connect with people in a healthy way.
Married At First Sight: Unmatchables airs Wednesdays at 10pm on Lifetime.
