Watched Bridezillas for the first time last night

flutteringinfl

Last night I gave in to my baser instincts and tried out a couple episodes of Bridezillas. OMG. Such regrets. I'm not one for reality TV in general, but there are certain shows I like enough (Tabitha's Salon Takeover was my jam for a little while). I thought, hey I'm planning a wedding, there's a lot of drama involved in that. Maybe it'll be fun and cathartic to watch a show where women go nuts planning their own weddings.

I feel bad for everyone involved in that show. The people dealing with the brides, but also the brides themselves, since it's obvious that no matter how bad they are, they've probably been edited to look worse, and the narration basically dehumanizes them and laughs at them instead of trying to figure out why they're acting the way they are and at least sympathizing that it's a stressful time and maybe it doesn't always bring out the best in people. Not as an excuse, but just as a way to be less mean-spirited. I came away feeling like I'd participated in some kind of hazing.

I'm interested in wedding-related reality TV that's at least of good quality (by the standards of reality TV I mean). Does that exist? Can anyone recommend something?

larrygaga

It's not like they were forced into going on that show. Some episodes the family is being terrible and when the bride reacts in an understandable way they are like lol look at the bridezilla

flutteringinfl

larrygaga said:

It's not like they were forced into going on that show. Some episodes the family is being terrible and when the bride reacts in an understandable way they are like lol look at the bridezilla

Yeah, I get that they volunteered, and a lot of the reasons I sat through two episodes was because I was just fascinated at the idea that people could lack this much self-awareness that they not only thought their behavior was acceptable, but wanted it immortalized on TV. But I still felt bad for them. They already made themselves look bad enough, so adding too that with really gleefully mean narration seemed like overkill to me.

I haven't seen any where the family is mean yet. I think the most diabolical thing is that most episodes have the first part of one bride's story and the second part of another's. So if you want to find out if she got dumped or what happened or whatever you have to watch the next one and it starts a whole chain. But I get the feeling very few of them actually get dumped.

raissyrais

You can try the "softer" ones like Say Yes To The Dress, Four Weddings, My Fair Wedding, Something Borrowed Something New...

luckya23

I don't know what season you watched, but by the final few seasons, the bridezillas were definitely part acting.  Badly.

flutteringinfl

luckya23 said:

I don't know what season you watched, but by the final few seasons, the bridezillas were definitely part acting.  Badly.

Only 9 and 10 (or 8 and 9?) were available on Netflix, so that's what I went with. Sounds like later seasons. And I buy that. Some of the things that were said were absolutely ridiculous.

flyingfoxes

I used to watch that show.  I have to believe that the producers egg on those brides to act like they do, because I refuse to believe that people would put up with 99.9% off that bullshit.  Not that there can't really be women like that, I'm sure there are...just hopefully not that many naturally in existence.

daria24

It's not a wedding show per se, but I loved Married at First Sight. The premise sounds horrible but I thought the show actually did a really good job showing the three couple' process. And there were a lot more frank and open conversations about real issues than you see on a lot of shows, especially during the reunion.

As far as Bridezillas/whether people are actually like that, I will say from experience-the second you put a camera in front of someone, everything gets magnified 2000%. Comments that you would have brushed off before all of a sudden made you RAGE. And everyone is getting interviewed constantly, so the participants are reminded of what has been happening. Imagine Mary makes a comment that your wedding is going to look cheap. IRL, maybe you would just roll your eyes and forget about it. But now you have a producer asking you questions for 30 minutes "Why do you think Mary said that? How did it make you feel? What are you going to do about it? If you could say something to her now, what would you say?" Etc. The problem becomes much bigger when all you do is talk about it. 

And sometimes, people really are just that crazy. 

levioosa

I knew a girl who was on Bridezillas....sadly she's basically the same IRL.  So you shouldn't feel too bad. 

theycallmelinz

daria24 said:

It's not a wedding show per se, but I loved Married at First Sight. The premise sounds horrible but I thought the show actually did a really good job showing the three couple' process. And there were a lot more frank and open conversations about real issues than you see on a lot of shows, especially during the reunion.

As far as Bridezillas/whether people are actually like that, I will say from experience-the second you put a camera in front of someone, everything gets magnified 2000%. Comments that you would have brushed off before all of a sudden made you RAGE. And everyone is getting interviewed constantly, so the participants are reminded of what has been happening. Imagine Mary makes a comment that your wedding is going to look cheap. IRL, maybe you would just roll your eyes and forget about it. But now you have a producer asking you questions for 30 minutes "Why do you think Mary said that? How did it make you feel? What are you going to do about it? If you could say something to her now, what would you say?" Etc. The problem becomes much bigger when all you do is talk about it. 

And sometimes, people really are just that crazy. 

I want to hear about your experience on camera!! Did we see you on tv somewhere and didn't know it?

I'd like to think their behavior in generally is somewhat staged and/or amplified.There were many a lonely night on my couch with my wine before FI came along where I watched Bridezillas and thought, How the FUCK am I single but someone is marrying this bitch?

vegasbride2015

I watched a few episodes of BZ on Netflix and holy hell, that one, Jeannine? Scary.

Even SYTTD is grating my nerves, the drama of the family not liking the dress, being bossy, etc. Though Monte from the ATL version is the only reason I watch the ATL version...

climbingsingle

I mean, when you sign up for a show named Bridezillas, what do you think it going to happen? 

I personally like Four Weddings. 

thisismynickname2

Is A Wedding Story on Netflicks? That's an old TLC show, it aired around the same time as Platinum Weddings. Also a good show. 

flutteringinfl

levioosa said:

I knew a girl who was on Bridezillas....sadly she's basically the same IRL.  So you shouldn't feel too bad. 

Wow. Do you know why she went on it? I'm genuinely curious to know what it takes for a person to see how the brides on that show are portrayed and think, "That's the image I want to project to the world."

vegasbride2015

I haven't taken a look at NF recently. I did watch the horrible Bridalplasty. LOL. I tend to get suckered into terrible reality TV. That one was laughable.

@ClimbingBrideNY I keep meaning to DVR Four Weddings, I need to do that.

luckya23

thisismynickname said:

Is A Wedding Story on Netflicks? That's an old TLC show, it aired around the same time as Platinum Weddings. Also a good show. 

I never saw that one on there, but Whose Wedding is it Anyway? was on Netfliz until Oct 1 - maybe it's also back since BZ also disappeared Oct 1.

flutteringinfl

vegasbride2015 said:

I watched a few episodes of BZ on Netflix and holy hell, that one, Jeannine? Scary.

Even SYTTD is grating my nerves, the drama of the family not liking the dress, being bossy, etc. Though Monte from the ATL version is the only reason I watch the ATL version...

I watched Jeanine's first ep last night and saw that she gets not 2, but 3 episodes. I'm allllmost tempted to watch them. But see, that's how they suck you in. But she is nuts.

raissyrais

levioosa said:

I knew a girl who was on Bridezillas....sadly she's basically the same IRL.  So you shouldn't feel too bad. 

We all know what to expect from Bridezillas!

vegasbride2015

I think Jeannine was Satan, personally.

levioosa

flutteringinftmyers said:

levioosa said:

I knew a girl who was on Bridezillas....sadly she's basically the same IRL.  So you shouldn't feel too bad. 

Wow. Do you know why she went on it? I'm genuinely curious to know what it takes for a person to see how the brides on that show are portrayed and think, "That's the image I want to project to the world."

I think she just wanted her wedding to be AWed.  I knew her through a mutual friend, so it's not like we were super close or anything.  But I knew her well enough to know that she wasn't acting on the show.  I almost felt bad for her FI, but he was also enabling a lot of the attitude.  She also had cheated on someone else with the FI and he knew about it, so add another reason I have little to no sympathy for him.  He deserves all the crazy. 

daria24

theycallmelinz said:

daria24 said:

It's not a wedding show per se, but I loved Married at First Sight. The premise sounds horrible but I thought the show actually did a really good job showing the three couple' process. And there were a lot more frank and open conversations about real issues than you see on a lot of shows, especially during the reunion.

As far as Bridezillas/whether people are actually like that, I will say from experience-the second you put a camera in front of someone, everything gets magnified 2000%. Comments that you would have brushed off before all of a sudden made you RAGE. And everyone is getting interviewed constantly, so the participants are reminded of what has been happening. Imagine Mary makes a comment that your wedding is going to look cheap. IRL, maybe you would just roll your eyes and forget about it. But now you have a producer asking you questions for 30 minutes "Why do you think Mary said that? How did it make you feel? What are you going to do about it? If you could say something to her now, what would you say?" Etc. The problem becomes much bigger when all you do is talk about it. 

And sometimes, people really are just that crazy. 

I want to hear about your experience on camera!! Did we see you on tv somewhere and didn't know it?

I'd like to think their behavior in generally is somewhat staged and/or amplified.There were many a lonely night on my couch with my wine before FI came along where I watched Bridezillas and thought, How the FUCK am I single but someone is marrying this bitch?

Ha I'm a producer, I'm the one editing them to look crazy, not in front of the camera Although I have had to be in a few shows in the background. And I got to star in the recreations for a medical show, because the show didn't pay for actors. We just used people around the office that were the right age/sex/build. 

luckya23

daria24 said:

theycallmelinz said:

daria24 said:

It's not a wedding show per se, but I loved Married at First Sight. The premise sounds horrible but I thought the show actually did a really good job showing the three couple' process. And there were a lot more frank and open conversations about real issues than you see on a lot of shows, especially during the reunion.

As far as Bridezillas/whether people are actually like that, I will say from experience-the second you put a camera in front of someone, everything gets magnified 2000%. Comments that you would have brushed off before all of a sudden made you RAGE. And everyone is getting interviewed constantly, so the participants are reminded of what has been happening. Imagine Mary makes a comment that your wedding is going to look cheap. IRL, maybe you would just roll your eyes and forget about it. But now you have a producer asking you questions for 30 minutes "Why do you think Mary said that? How did it make you feel? What are you going to do about it? If you could say something to her now, what would you say?" Etc. The problem becomes much bigger when all you do is talk about it. 

And sometimes, people really are just that crazy. 

I want to hear about your experience on camera!! Did we see you on tv somewhere and didn't know it?

I'd like to think their behavior in generally is somewhat staged and/or amplified.There were many a lonely night on my couch with my wine before FI came along where I watched Bridezillas and thought, How the FUCK am I single but someone is marrying this bitch?

Ha I'm a producer, I'm the one editing them to look crazy, not in front of the camera Although I have had to be in a few shows in the background. And I got to star in the recreations for a medical show, because the show didn't pay for actors. We just used people around the office that were the right age/sex/build. 

Was it Sex Sent me to the ER??

Because clearly those people can't be paid actors!

princessofgenovia

Our CW station shows Bridezillas every morning (at like 6am) and I watch it while I get ready. It's my guilty pleasure show, though there are times I'm like "Well...she's not really over reacting..." and other times I'm like "Are you real? Because this feels not real", I have learned where every SS gets the idea that they need to "replace" bridesmaids they kick out, and also that their brideslaves are there to do their craft bidding. 

I thought at one point I saw something that they got a honeymoon trip to Jamaica or something for doing the show. But...I could be thinking of another show.

goldchocobo.defunct635829490514903826

I love "Rich Bride Poor Bride" and "Four Weddings"  I do watch this occasionally.  Is it on Canadian Netflix?  I should check...

I am amused by it but I have to take a break from it after about 2 episodes because it all starts sounding like the same thing.

I heard they did a "Where are they now?" episode and most of them (except like 1) are divorced.

esstee33

daria24 said:

It's not a wedding show per se, but I loved Married at First Sight. The premise sounds horrible but I thought the show actually did a really good job showing the three couple' process. And there were a lot more frank and open conversations about real issues than you see on a lot of shows, especially during the reunion.

As far as Bridezillas/whether people are actually like that, I will say from experience-the second you put a camera in front of someone, everything gets magnified 2000%. Comments that you would have brushed off before all of a sudden made you RAGE. And everyone is getting interviewed constantly, so the participants are reminded of what has been happening. Imagine Mary makes a comment that your wedding is going to look cheap. IRL, maybe you would just roll your eyes and forget about it. But now you have a producer asking you questions for 30 minutes "Why do you think Mary said that? How did it make you feel? What are you going to do about it? If you could say something to her now, what would you say?" Etc. The problem becomes much bigger when all you do is talk about it. 

And sometimes, people really are just that crazy. 

I really liked Married at First Sight, too. I started watching it pretty much solely to make fun of it, and then found myself really thinking about the premise of the show, and how things progressed. It was really interesting. I wasn't even a little bit surprised with how the three couples ended up, either -- I called that from like week 1. 

theycallmelinz

If you think Jeanine was BSC, you should see the episode starring Susie, the 18 year old who calls her mom a bitch numerous times and SCREAMS when her mom trimmed her hair...with Crazy Susie's permission.. Or the CRAZY horrible mean girl Karen who thinks people that earn an hourly wage are scum.

Whose Wedding Is It Anyway used to be my FAV!

daria24

luckya23 said:

daria24 said:

I want to hear about your experience on camera!! Did we see you on tv somewhere and didn't know it?

I'd like to think their behavior in generally is somewhat staged and/or amplified.There were many a lonely night on my couch with my wine before FI came along where I watched Bridezillas and thought, How the FUCK am I single but someone is marrying this bitch?

Ha I'm a producer, I'm the one editing them to look crazy, not in front of the camera Although I have had to be in a few shows in the background. And I got to star in the recreations for a medical show, because the show didn't pay for actors. We just used people around the office that were the right age/sex/build. 

Was it Sex Sent me to the ER??

Because clearly those people can't be paid actors!

Hahahaha no, I don't know if I would have been able to face my parents if I was on that show. It was a show called Mystery Diagnosis. 

beethery

daria24 said:

luckya23 said:

daria24 said:

I want to hear about your experience on camera!! Did we see you on tv somewhere and didn't know it?

I'd like to think their behavior in generally is somewhat staged and/or amplified.There were many a lonely night on my couch with my wine before FI came along where I watched Bridezillas and thought, How the FUCK am I single but someone is marrying this bitch?

Ha I'm a producer, I'm the one editing them to look crazy, not in front of the camera Although I have had to be in a few shows in the background. And I got to star in the recreations for a medical show, because the show didn't pay for actors. We just used people around the office that were the right age/sex/build. 

Was it Sex Sent me to the ER??

Because clearly those people can't be paid actors!

Hahahaha no, I don't know if I would have been able to face my parents if I was on that show. It was a show called Mystery Diagnosis. 

My mom fucking LOOOOOVES that show. LOOOOVES it. I bet she's seen your acting skills.

luckya23

daria24 said:

luckya23 said:

daria24 said:

I want to hear about your experience on camera!! Did we see you on tv somewhere and didn't know it?

I'd like to think their behavior in generally is somewhat staged and/or amplified.There were many a lonely night on my couch with my wine before FI came along where I watched Bridezillas and thought, How the FUCK am I single but someone is marrying this bitch?

Ha I'm a producer, I'm the one editing them to look crazy, not in front of the camera Although I have had to be in a few shows in the background. And I got to star in the recreations for a medical show, because the show didn't pay for actors. We just used people around the office that were the right age/sex/build. 

Was it Sex Sent me to the ER??

Because clearly those people can't be paid actors!

Hahahaha no, I don't know if I would have been able to face my parents if I was on that show. It was a show called Mystery Diagnosis. 

Ohhh...

FYI I just saw Michael Yo playing a doctor on Sex Sent me to the ER!

ChristinaS85

goldchocobo said:

I love "Rich Bride Poor Bride" and "Four Weddings"  I do watch this occasionally.  Is it on Canadian Netflix?  I should check...

I am amused by it but I have to take a break from it after about 2 episodes because it all starts sounding like the same thing.

I heard they did a "Where are they now?" episode and most of them (except like 1) are divorced.

I love Rich Bride, Poor Bride!  Granted, it's a Canadian show, but Hulu has it on their website, and I watch it all the time.  A lot of those couples go WAY over their allotted budget.  And it's not just the brides who want it all.  Some of the grooms on that show want just as much, if not MORE than the bride herself! And they don't care how much they spend past their budget!  Like the one bride who wanted to show up in a horse drawn carriage.  Her husband wouldn't allow it unless he could show up in a boat with models on it.  They both told each other they couldn't afford either one.  But in the end, she went and got her carriage, and he went and got the boat with the models.