Response to Who Wants to Marry a Millionare national TV show

Many people watched with interest to see the national television show Who Wants to Marry a Millionare. The Snooze was flooded with reader response and comments about the show. For those of you who haven't heard of it, read the following paragraph. For those of you who know what we're talking about, skip to Readers Wrote In.

The television show allegedly screened many bachelor millionares to find the ideal husband. A decent man ready, eager and willing to commit his life to one young woman fortunate enough to be chosen by him. The producers screened and selected this bachelor. They then provided this forty-something bachelor with a variety of single women ranging in age from late teens to early 40's to be contestants. The bachelor had the help of his friends and family in rating the answers she provided to the questions. And he also got to take a look at her marching across the stage in beach wear of her chosing. The final three questions posed to each finalist were "what are the three things he can do to bring out your best side?" and "what are the three things that bring out your worst side."
His prize: Her.
Her prize: A man, chosen by producers of a televison show, who she has to sleep with and be a faithful wife to sight unseen and without getting to ask any questions.

The outcome: They got married by a judge from the state of Nevada, and shortly thereafter his exgirlfriend came forward announcing that she had had a restraining order against him. The happy couple, who danced to "I knew I loved you before I met you" is now proceeding with divorce.

Readers wrote in

Now some may wonder why any woman would ever be on such a show. Some may also wonder why any man would, although others might say it is every man's dream to have a parade of scantily clad women walk by, all wanting him, and he gets to pick which one he wants. We will put aside these obvious questions and focus on the more pertinent issue. What does this show say about the state of our society today, as we enter into the 21st Century?

The Snooze received many letters from readers and contributors around the country. here are some of the responses:

First of all, the producers on the show made a lot of money. They too, are millionares. Also,a millionare, the host, who had in the past been advised by David Letterman not to brag on national television about how much money he was making. Among all of these millionares we have a group of women. Naturally women want to get married, and naturally, when given the choice, a woman would prefer a man with money to a man without, for obvious reasons. What I want to know is, did any other contestant on the show meet any other millionare?

I believe the host has gone through his share of wives himself. Why would he condone such a superficial way to meet a woman? Maybe he's looking for someone new too and hasn't learned from past mistakes?

This show was no different than in the olden days when women were offered for marriage to the highes bidder, and she entered her marriage with a dowery. In this case, her dowery was the show. But today, not even the money made from advertising went to her. Instead, it went to those who sold her. Are we as a nation moving forward or back ward?

The women were questioned while sitting up on a high chair, where their feet were dangling off the edge, just as though they were helpless, little girls, rather than being portrayed as grown women.

The questions were stupid.

Why wasn't there a talent contest?

I'd've liked to hear a testimonial from his exgirlfriend... As it turned out, it would have saved the producers a lot of grief.

You know what was really obnoxious? Why did the producers pick such young girls, some were still even in college, to be his potential bride, when he himself was obviously over 40? It's gross.

I knew he'd pick the blond. I knew it. It's every mans dream to have a blond. What they're so stupid about is, today, for $120 bucks, anybody can be blond. Duh. Maybe men should start thinking with their other organ, you know, the one that can reason. He never even asked if she lightened her hair!

All I want to point out is that the women on that show had to have absolute faith in the producers who chose the groom. Having had direct experience with producers in Hollywood myself, that's a major risk.

Ideally it would have been nice to see two people meet each other and have a great marriage and a great love. It's too bad the show had to be as sensational as it was. Perhaps two decent people could have actually met each other. Why is it that when making money become a priority, everything else falls apart? What would have been so bad about having a nice group of ladies engage in an open conversation with him? Why did they have to walk around in their bathing suits? The Miss America pageant is much better. At least when you win that you don't have to marry any smelly guy! You get the money, the car and a tour around the country.

What struck me was, the woman who won won because she was so gung ho about marrying the guy. She was positive she'd be the best, most faithful wife. He chose her and days later it came out that they were getting divorced. This show is something people who work in Human Resources should see before they ever hire anyone again. It is perfect proof that people will say whatever you want to hear to get what they want. She obviously didn't mean what she said, or she wouldn't be getting divorced. How she could have possibly been so sure she could be his wife without ever meeting him is another question, but she got him because she played the game. And the truth is, the game she played backfired.

I felt sorry for the women on the show because they had to essentially prostitute themselves and prove why they would be good mates while he sat in a back room and checked them out, offering nothing about himself. It's a disgrace that marriage is treated so superficially and casually.

I think the producers of the show should pay her the money they made off of the show so she can be a millionare on her own and not one through marriage. Years ago women were sold to the higest bidder. Now she's a commodity, not only for the groom, but for the producers as well. Shame on all of them.

I heard that they were planning on doing one with a woman millionare and I'm sorry they didn't because I wanted to see the men walk by in strappy sandals and bikinis and answer questions about the cleaning lady. I think the reverse would have demonstrated how pitiful the whole situation really was.

If anyone has anything they'd like to add about the show, write in to The Snooze.