“Marriage Boot Camp Reality Stars” reached into its bag of tricks during the season 5 premiere on WE tv, and went big, right out of the gate. In the first exercise at the boot camp, the couples were surprised to find that they were part of a talk show, including a live audience.
Right at the camp, Jim and Elizabeth Carroll set up a stage to accommodate none other than Montel Williams. Behind him were audience members waiting to see what he could do to rattle the couples. Since Montel is known to get his interview subjects to make admissions, while cameras are rolling, there were groans and gasps as each couple realized they would be put on the spot.
Mind you, this was shortly after arriving and getting the welcome speech from the Carrolls. It was also after Dean May was sent packing to look for his absent partner Tara Reid. Reid was shooting a movie not too far away from the boot camp and thought it was perfectly acceptable to ignore the first day, leaving her man to try to explain it all. Video of that, here.
Meanwhile, “Marriage Boot Camp Reality Stars” began with a vengeance as Montel put each couple on the spot, with facts and questions that went to the heart of trouble in each relationship. The boot campers might have been tempted to walk away or act out, but with Williams there as well as a studio audience, everyone remained glued to their seats.
It was particularly troubling to Toya and Memphitz, who struggle with infidelity in their relationship. To be precise, I should say it’s Toya that struggles with Memphitz stepping out. She’s forgiven him each time there’s trouble, and threatens to stop at some point. When Montel asked Memphitz if he used a “hall pass” Toya gave him for a one-time thing/fling, he stammered and tried to talk around it. Montel wouldn’t let it go asking for a yes or no answer. Preview of next HUGE fight between the couple, next on MBC: Reality Stars
When Memphitz said he “might have” taken her up on that, Elizabeth Carroll explained why Toya never should have offered. It had nothing to do with it being ridiculous and playing into his hands. It had everything to do with her desperation to keep him. If you want him to stop, leave or just accept the cheating. Montel told Toya that her plan, which she claimed was just a joke, was bound to backfire. You can’t make a man realize he’s married when a hall pass is offered.
Check out the season trailer below, which has the ultimate Memphitz-Montel confrontation.
WE tv airs new episodes of “Marriage Boot Camp Reality Stars” Season 5, Friday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT Image/video credit: WE tv, used with permission