Behavioral biologist Patrick van Veen has been featured for years as one of the experts in Married at First Sight. Yesterday afternoon it became clear that both Patrick and Radboud Visser were putting an end to their work with the program. This had everything to do with the wave of criticism that arose after extremely bad matches were made last season. Just think back to Anneke and Dirk, or Milou and Sarath. The criticism became so intense that presenter Carlo Boszhard even decided to get involved. Now Patrick reveals in an interview with De Telegraaf what really happened behind the scenes at Married at First Sight.
‘A lot of people are dropping out for us’
Patrick has hinted before that the MAFS experts are not completely free in matching love couples. According to Patrick, the editors interfere too much with the tests that the experts want to use. “We conduct personality tests. People who score high on ‘openness to new experiences’ do not fit with extroverts. The first group is quickly inclined to look for a new partner, while the second group is interesting for the editors because they are open. for everything the makers want. Then people drop out for us, while the editors say that those people are actually nice for MAFS,” Patrick shares.
Narcissism test in MAFS
During the test days, a narcissism test is also administered to all candidates. “As experts, we don’t want people who score high there in the program. Then the editors say: they are nice people for TV. This is a battle that you are constantly fighting as an expert,” says Patrick. A spokesperson for ITV, the producer of Married at First Sight, responds: “The experts are in the lead in all tests administered. We follow their advice. We have regarded Patrick’s advice as leading in this specific case.”
Response to departure
After the announcement that Patrick and Radboud would leave MAFS, RTL quickly released a statement. “We are grateful for their expertise during the past seasons of Married at First Sight and wish them every success in their next steps,” an RTL spokesperson told ANP. The behavioral biologist played a role in MAFS for six seasons, while professional matchmaker Radboud appeared for two seasons. Last season they were assisted by sexologist Eveline Stallaart and relationship coach Anne Campagne.
