It's clear to me that the switch in platforms from Lifetime Network to Peacock.

Married at First Sight's success rate is only at 19% over the 18 seasons. 13 out of 69 couples matched by the experts are still married. To the show's credit, those matched in long-term marriages are enviable and a sign that the show can get it right. However, Madison and David were not originally paired together, and are not counted in that total. They carried on an affair and ditched their original spouses to pursue each other. Interestingly, both Madison and David were recruited for the show, which is a casting blunder to me.

MAFS Casting Strategy Explained

Scouting & Applications

Married at First Sight goes to different cities each season, and they open up online applications for singles in each city to apply. However, the number of viable applicants seems to not be enough, because I know the main casting strategy is to scout and recruit people. MAFS production goes on dating apps and Instagram to find eligible telegenic singles for the show. I see this as problematic because those chosen are often allured by the opportunities being on the show and TV could afford them.

By recruiting people who don't know about the show or who weren't considering marriage, I believe MAFS opens itself up to the potential of casting clout chasers or people emotionally unintelligent or available, and that's what happened with David and Madison. According to an interview Madison and David gave post-show (via u/SparklesandSpice on Reddit), both itted to being recruited for the show. And given what transpired, I'm certain that recruiting them was a mistake and highlights the pitfalls of MAFS casting approach.

Madison & David Should Not Have Been Recruited

They Were Individually Problematic

David still lived at home with his parents, and I know no one in Married at First Sight history with a complicated living situation has ever gone on to have a successful marriage on the show.

Moreover, he was focused on drinking, entertaining another woman (Madison), and showed himself to be a habitual liar; qualities that I feel were overlooked.

For Madison's part, she was not out of her party girl era, and clearly did not have the depth to commit herself to marriage, or she wouldn't have strayed and strung her husband, Allen Slovick, along.

I See Better Ways For MAFS To Cast Participants

Better Screening & Other Avenues

I know there are better ways Married at First Sight can cast engaging, appropriate, and thoughtful people. And I don't think that's through recruitment. Firstly, the screening and interview processes, I'm positive need to be more in-depth to weed out people with ulterior motives and who aren't ready for marriage. Secondly, cast could be attained by other methods such as friend, family, and co-worker nominations, along with more widespread exposure of the casting call itself. Madison and David should not have been recruited cast, but production could fix their tactics in the future.

Source: u/SparklesandSpice/Reddit