Reality TV and Marriage Have NEVER Successfully Mixed

ESPN commentator Scoop Jackson, a cutting edge writer with whom I agree about half the time, writes a great article detailing the landmines inherent in any couple, especially a celebrity couple, participating in reality TV shows. BET is slated to air a series about the Christies, the husband of the pair being now former NBA player Doug Christie, and his certifiably insane wife Jackie. The man is whipped to a degree I have never seen and the woman is possessive on a level I can't even fathom. For example, Doug was required to give a little signal to his wife in the stands after EVERY basket he scored (a lot over a 13 year career), no females were EVER allowed to talk to or interview him, and this woman even came out of the stands and got involved in a brawl during a Kings/Lakers game! But for now, the couple laughs it off, says everything is fine and that they are happy...but as Scoop points out, if this couple goes the way of most other celeb-reality TV couples, it could get intersting and ugly in a huge hurry. Frankly, I'm giddy, I can't wait, this is a train wreck of BIBLICAL proportions in waiting, and God help me I am looking forward to it.

"On Oct. 5, "Committed: The Christies" will air on BET J. It's the reality show that's been in preproduction for the past 14 years. With enough rumors, incidents and scandals to make "Nip/Tuck" seem like an episode of "The Buzz On Maggie" and make "The Wire" seem like it was originally programmed for PBS. The Christies' show could become must-see TV. The second-best show on television after "Flavor Of Love."

But it will come at a cost...and that cost will be their marriage.

See, if you glance at the track record of marriages featured on reality shows, it don't look too golden for Doug and Jackie.

Nick and Jessica ("Newlyweds")? Done. Carmen Electra and Dave Navarro ("'Til Death Do Us Part")? Apart for life. Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler ("Meet The Barkers")? Through forever. Bobby and Whitney ("Being Bobby Brown")? Finally, finally over.

All victims of post-traumatic reality-show stress disorder -- a.k.a. divorce."