With the addition of psychologists and shared living to The Super Switch, the revamped reality series has been hailed the second coming of controversial juggernaut Married At First Sight.
And it’s precisely that reason that psychologist Jacqui Manning was concerned about joining the show to guide contestants through the experiment.
“To be honest, yes, there were concerns about how the viewers will receive us as therapists,” she tells TV WEEK, talking about herself and psychotherapist Guy Vicars.
Jacqui says she was aware of the backlash MAFS relationship experts John Aiken, Mel Schilling and Trish Stratford received during their run on the reality series. However, she hopes her role in The Super Switch would draw a different reaction from fans.
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“My hope is that people can see we do have good intentions, that we’re trying to guide these people to learn about themselves and partners in a positive way,” she says.
“MAFS is a completely different dynamic – you’re bringing strangers together. But part of the intention with The Super Switch is to pair our cast with someone similar to themselves.”
Jackie says the new series will pair together “similar” participants.
An experiment that sees people paired with total strangers, heated arguments at the dinner table and physical brawls – it’s little wonder The Super Switch has been compared to Married At First Sight. But Seven’s new show differs in that it deals with real couples, who’ve met and established a relationship outside of reality TV.
MAFS stars know what they’re in for, but for these people, real feelings are put on the line. Get to know the couples who will be joining the new experiment here.
The Super Switch airs Tuesday and Wednesday, 7.30pm, Channel Seven.
