Let’s play ‘The Marriage Umpire!’
Coming this Sunday to NBC is a new show from Jerry Seinfeld called “The Marriage Ref.” (The show will normally air on Thursdays, but it’s a sneak preview at 10:30 p.m. this Sunday.)
The general gist of the show is that couples present their cases for something that is annoying the other one in their marriage– such as flossing your teeth in bed or having a dead pet dog stuffed in the house. A panel of celebrity judges joke about the dispute and then help decide who is right. The comedian host Tom Papa will actually make the final decision but from the commercial the focus seems to be on the panel of celebrities.
This concept isn’t actually that new to us here on the MOMania blog because for the last 5 years you guys have been playing the role of marriage ref for me and sometimes for other community members.
It is a fantastic feeling to have a third-party — and this case hundreds of people — saying you are right! (And sometimes wrong but at least you know you’re really wrong and your husband is not just crazy.)
To get us in the mood for Seinfeld’s “The Marriage Ref,” I thought it would fun to play a game we’ll call “The Marriage Umpire.”
So I’m thinking you can guys can email me your disputes. I’m afraid if you post the topic directly to the blog then they’ll be debated today and we’ll have no game show.
So email me you dispute to be discussed. We’ll pick the best ones and then debate them on the blog later this week, and then you guys can decide THE WINNER! You can email me at ajcmomania@gmail.com
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
102 comments Add your comment
FCM
February 23rd, 2010
1:14 pm
Oh I meant my co-worker was in the pastel “bridal” styles I was describing earlier.
My child does’t look good in pastel. They warm hot to warm colors…like that pretty money green color out right now.
New Stepmom
February 23rd, 2010
1:16 pm
@Tiger, I hope I am the one that is counted and thankful for what I have. I waited until I was 34 to marry and I got extremely lucky. Again there are things that drive me a little nuts, but I drive him nuts too at times. That is just part of it.
Jeff
February 23rd, 2010
1:16 pm
Thank you JJ. Although the I don’t need a man argument is played out, it’s played out by the sassy crowd and that doesn’t seem to apply to you.
Meeting good people is difficult in all walks of life, not just in the dating scene. Think about it. How many good people do you actually know? And family doesn’t count.
New Stepmom
February 23rd, 2010
1:19 pm
@FCM…glad the hormone monster is not just hitting our house. I think your summation of “Whisper of Adult with no shape whatsoever” is perfect. That is what I look for too and it is difficult to find!
Jeff
February 23rd, 2010
1:21 pm
FCM – I’ve given Theresa permission to give you my email if you want it.
Tiger needs me on his PR team
February 23rd, 2010
1:23 pm
@New Stepmom…you are that beacon of hope and the one I found reflecting the same things I think about my better half! Good Job NW…now lets watch that show and laugh our butts off at those poor saps who think that conflict and complaining about their significant others is just the way marriage is! I think many will watch the show and find identification and think they’re not alone and use the “panel’s” as vindication…for me, it’s all schadenfreude baby!
FCM
February 23rd, 2010
1:26 pm
New Mom & Julia (or anyone else) — if you go to Sears (I got it at Dillards but cannot find it online) and look at the My Michelle Sleeveless Mesh Overlay with Jewel Waist…that is the closest to what I got. Her dress is not the blue pictured (it is pink) and the waist is rectangle hot pink gems but it is a My Michelle with that “shape”.
FCM
February 23rd, 2010
1:26 pm
er I mean New StepMom
Becky
February 23rd, 2010
1:30 pm
@Tiger..I hit the jackpot with my second husband..Yes, there are some things that he does that drive me batty, but I wouldn’t trade him for anything..As for the ex, to this day, he still tells me and everyone else that he wished he had of never divorced me, this is after 16 years..
Tiger needs me on his PR team
February 23rd, 2010
1:33 pm
@Becky…then I revise my count! I think there are some people who could do themselves a favor by following your lead and dropping the bad and finding a good! ;-)
FCM
February 23rd, 2010
1:41 pm
Tiger I was looking for the good but you keep saying your married! ;)
Tiger needs me on his PR team
February 23rd, 2010
1:47 pm
@FCM….well you’re just making me blush here!
FCM
February 23rd, 2010
1:58 pm
TY Jeff… I will get with her. I like that your a Dad that cares.
Uconn
February 23rd, 2010
2:09 pm
Well I am the one getting married on Friday and yes I do have gripes with the Husband to be …. I wouldn’t change him for ANYTHING… There is one area that I sent Theresa because it just happened last night!!!! But I am excited to be marrying him… :D
Tiger needs me on his PR team
February 23rd, 2010
2:12 pm
@UConn….hey, you’ve been gone a while! Welcome back and congrats!
Uconn
February 23rd, 2010
2:22 pm
@Tiger …. Thanks!!! Planning this wedding (that and watching Uconn basketball) was taking me away but now its all done and just have to wait for Friday at 630pm ….
Becky
February 23rd, 2010
2:28 pm
@Uconn..I’m sure that he’s getting a good deal also..Congrats..
Tiger needs me on his PR team
February 23rd, 2010
2:33 pm
@Uconn…well hopefully they’ll be showing coverage of the NIT on your honeymoon!!! HAHAHA
Uconn
February 23rd, 2010
2:44 pm
@Becky … Thanks! @Tiger… watch it! :D We are back in it (for now!)
Wayne
February 23rd, 2010
2:47 pm
@Uconn; are you in CT or GA?
Jane
February 23rd, 2010
2:49 pm
Wow, MILF Hunter would be having a field day in here (if he hadn’t disappeared)!
DB
February 23rd, 2010
3:26 pm
I never complain about my husband because if I did, it would open the floodgates on complaints about ME! But honestly, not too many complaints — he’s just about perfect, at least, on things that I care about.
LM
February 23rd, 2010
3:34 pm
I was in JJ’s shoes, been there done that got the t-shirt and worn it out!
But I found the perfect man. Don’t get me wrong he does stuff others on here seem feel is a “deal breaker”. So what if he leaves the toilet seat up, I know how to put it down. He is what I always thought a “man” was, caring, supportive, hard working, loving, helpful and kind. He is good company and cares as much for my interest as for his.
I miss him and look forward to when he can leave the toilet seat up, forget to put his dishes in the sink, smack his gum, drop his drawers and all the things many on here feel are “deal breakers”. Until he is safe home I will miss all the little quiks, most of all his snoring and pray for him.
Jeff
February 23rd, 2010
3:40 pm
LM, you provide many of us single dads with smiles knowing there are still good women out there. Thanks
JJ
February 23rd, 2010
3:44 pm
LM – Sweet!!!!!!
Jeff, there’s a lot of us out there!!!!!! Keep the smiles.
Dar
February 23rd, 2010
3:44 pm
Happiness is not in finding a perfect person, but rather in loving an imperfect person perfectly. I left my first X because I was young and foolish. My second X left me because we had both (to different degrees, trust me) lost sight of what was really important and he did not want to work at getting it back and I honestly believe now that his heart was never really in it to begin with because he is just way too selfish for a wife and child. The man I found after all of that is imperfectly perfect and I love him perfectly and vice versa. He is all of the things a man should be – loving (to me and my child), hard working, smart, witty, supportive, kind, courteous….Oh, I could go on and on. I hope that we are showing my child what a good relationship looks like. And I hope that my son sees the things in my mate that are wonderful and chooses to emulate those things instead of growing up to be anything like his father.
LM
February 23rd, 2010
3:55 pm
Jeff, there are a lot of good men and women out there. It is so easy to find fault, so easy to run when it gets rough, I’ve did that too. So easy to think you have it so rough and nit-pick little things.
This year has been very hard with him away. I was used to being a single mom, I could do what I felt was important. When he had to go, we got married and I learned first hand that I had to take on his responsibilites, wow did he have a lot and I was not as prepared to do it all as I thought I would be. It has also made me appreciate what he did around the place. Right before he left he got two new toilets, but didn’t have time to install them. I could have either let them sit on the back porch or install them myself, I installed them and feel a sense of pride if it. We have 7 horses which he normally cares for, am alergic to hay and shattered my right shoulder two years ago when I was trampled, I cope, I put out hay, carry bags of feed and do my best, not as good of a job as he would do, but I cope. My teenager noticed how much more I was doing and finally realized he just didn’t sit around and watch TV and played games on his computer. Maybe she will learn to appreciate the “man” in her life when the time comes, instead of fault finding.
Uconn
February 23rd, 2010
3:56 pm
@Wayne I am in GA but I grew up in CT and went to Uconn…
dixie pixie
February 23rd, 2010
3:59 pm
I feel for all the women (and yes I am female) who do not understand the treasures they have in their husbands. My husband is certified OC, and I love him for it. He wants the bed made everyday , the house vacuumed, and the toilets cleaned. . .and he does it! He doesn’t complain about what I cook. I see my husband as truly unique and love coming home to him. BTW, he works 4 12-hour shifts and still manages to help around the house. Guys–just one little thing (putting your clothes in the hamper instead of the floor, putting the lid down, taking out the garbage, offering to give one of the kids a bath, setting the table–just pick ONE!!!)will make a HUGE difference in the significant other’s attitude. Everyone needs to read the book FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES. IT WORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wayne
February 23rd, 2010
4:06 pm
Ah… wondering if you were getting hammered with the snow.
Wayne
February 23rd, 2010
4:11 pm
That would be if you were in CT… I’m outa here to see if I can make it home. Wife says it’s really bad out my way. See y’all!
FCM
February 23rd, 2010
4:12 pm
dixie pixie–I love the 5 love languages book (found it after the divorce). It works on kids too!!!
The most important thing I think a person can do is tell the important people in their life (spouse, child, etc) “THANK YOU. Thank you for being a part of my life.” I have done that.
Jeff, that is a two edged blade. I know several “men” who ran away from their children as much as they did their wives. They would do day labor or just quit working so as to not have to pay the support. That is just wrong. They give good Dads (like you apparently) a bad name. Just like the stero-typical ex-wife (the money grubbing witches) give the good ones a bad name.
mom2alex&max
February 23rd, 2010
4:31 pm
I’ve noticed SOOO many arguments revolve around housework. ugh. That was us for like the first 5 years we were married. One day, I just said: out of MY (admittedly measly compared to his) earnings I will pay someone to come here and clean every other week. I found a lady that does an awesome job for what I consider a reasonable prize.
I think that those $120 bucks I spend every month have saved our marriage..and think of it, how much cheaper is that than marriage counseling?
New Stepmom
February 23rd, 2010
4:35 pm
Uconn-Congrats and enjoy every minute of it. We were so fortunate to have no planning stress (very cool parents who remembered it was our wedding) and have the best memories! Something little will go worng, but shrug it off. No one will know but you and possilby your mom and wedding coordinator.
Jeff, I married one of those single dads and it is challenging at times, but totally worth it. Your princess will come!
Tiger…glad I could be your beacon of hope for the first part of today. The hubs is not perfect, but neither am I. We have seen promos for this show and we think it looks hysterical!!!!
Uconn
February 23rd, 2010
5:01 pm
@newstepmom … Thanks!!! I can’t wait! I am like you.. Almost 34 when I am getting married! Best decision to WAIT …. way more mature now than back in my 20’s
FCM
February 23rd, 2010
5:12 pm
Uconn I wish you and your fiancee the best! If you go back a few blogs ago you will see what I wrote about my parents. Married 40+ years and when they think you aren’t looking you can sometimes see just how much they mean to each other. I meant it when I said we should all be so lucky–Here is hoping you get that luck too!
FCM
February 23rd, 2010
5:14 pm
super bowl ad blog…pg 3 if you actually want to see what I wrote about my folks.
Tiger needs me on his PR team
February 23rd, 2010
5:19 pm
@Uconn….it’s not too late to get your security deposit back for the wedding and spend it all on the honeymoon! ELOPE sugar!!!!
Uconn
February 23rd, 2010
5:27 pm
@FCM … I read it… I thought that it was SO sweet…. Thanks for the warm wishes
Uconn
February 23rd, 2010
5:28 pm
@Tiger … I wish I could … But the moms would have our heads!!! BELIEVE Me that was our first thought!
Tiger needs me on his PR team
February 23rd, 2010
5:31 pm
@uconn….that is the advice our son will be getting from his mother and me. :-) Well since you have to have it, have fun!
Uconn
February 23rd, 2010
5:33 pm
@Tiger … LOL!!! Good and sound advice…. But we will have fun… Open bars seem to have that effect ;-)
Jeff
February 23rd, 2010
5:34 pm
So much sweetness on here. What are ya’ll up to?
Tiger needs me on his PR team
February 23rd, 2010
5:36 pm
@Uconn…open bar!?! Where are you registered and the table for my gift?!?
Uconn
February 23rd, 2010
5:37 pm
@Tiger LOL … I have been getting that response from a lot of people
catlady
February 23rd, 2010
6:06 pm
Dave@7:30: he let me do the mowing and garden, but he would start the mower and tiller for me. He was “tired”. BTW, I worked 8 hours a day and made 3x what he did, so the money thing wasn’t part of the equation. I got tired of a 4th “child.”
I have loved watching his second marriage. She is even lazier than he is!
If I ever remarried, it would have to be a more 50-50 relationship.
Dar
February 23rd, 2010
6:45 pm
LOL CatLady. I could be staring in a mirror…except I made almost 5x what my X did. The woman he was running around with was everything I was not – out of shape, uneducated, unemployed — and someone else’s wife and a mother of three and she did not leap when my X did. Anyway, when I let him bend my ear nowadays my X goes on an on about how tough his life is now that he has to clean his apartment, do his laundry, eat out every meal because he can’t/won’t cook, work extra to try to have even a smidge of the life he had with me, etc. And I was blessed to meet a wonderful man who was also cast aside…….two unwanteds make an awesome pair.
Jesse's Girl
February 23rd, 2010
10:10 pm
I think my new job should be a singing match-maker….cause Catlady..I think I have a good candidate for you.
deidre_NC
February 24th, 2010
8:34 am
amen JJ..once again you said what i feel…
deidre_NC
February 24th, 2010
8:43 am
also amen to FCM–id love to have a responsible man to share my life with. my kids say i never will because i am too picky, but some scars stay there and its not something i can help. i met a guy recently (introduced thru a friend) and i knew he was on unemployment, around here the job situation is as bad or worse than anywhere. so i decided that since he didnt have a job i had to relax that must have-but i replaced it with how he was conducting his job search. i asked in conversation where he had looked for a new job and how it was going…and he said..i havent looked, im just going to keep drawing unemployent. (big eye roll here!!! lol) so needless to say that was the first and last time i saw him…i mean really….who wants to live on unemployment forever? and who can afford it. he had even had to move in with family because of the loss of income. i can understand all those things in this market….god knows i was laid off for 9 months….but i looked for a job and went on every interview i could get…