TEN wants to Marry “Harry”
TEN is set to screen the fake reality romance series, I Wanna Marry "Harry." But will it work?
- Published by David Knox
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- Filed under Programming
Forgive me TEN… I am having flashbacks to There’s Something About Miriam.
TEN today has announced it will screen “the compelling, hilarious new reality series,” I Wanna Marry “Harry”.
Harry, is of course, not really Prince Harry but a lookalike Brit named Matthew Hicks, who becomes the love and affection for 12 stoopid American women -sorry, there’s really no other way to put it.
TEN Chief Programming Officer, Beverley McGarvey, said: “I Wanna Marry “Harry” is a fantastic reality romance program with a royal twist.

“It is pure fun and escapism. Although it hasn’t launched yet, the online buzz surrounding this show overseas is enormous. It is rapidly becoming a television event.”
I can’t help but recall fake shows like The Joe Schmo Show (which aired on Foxtel), Playing it Straight (Seven) and There’s Something About Miriam (TEN). Most have proven to be one-joke ideas that don’t always hold up across a series. Sincerity is important to viewers, even in the jaded Reality genre.
Co-produced by Zig Zag Productions and Ryan Seacrest Productions, the cheeky reality show enlists Englishman Matthew Hicks to convince 12 blissfully ignorant women that he is Prince Harry.
Matthew is an average English chap who receives the royal treatment and an upper crust makeover before meeting 12 single American women who are all searching for Prince Charming.
I Wanna Marry “Harry” follows the women as they fight for their chance to marry “Prince Harry”, while living at an English estate.
Matthew must convince these beautiful women that he is a member of the Royal Family. If he does, will they fall for the crown or fall in love with the real him?
Each week, Matthew (or “Sir”, as the ladies call him) handpicks one lucky lady to take on an extravagant adventure, while another’s dream of “happily ever after” is dashed and she must leave the estate.
When Matthew narrows down his choice to one woman, he will finally have to admit the truth about his royal masquerade. The winning lady then must decide if she can look past the pretence and love this gent, who is more pauper than prince.
Zig Zag Productions CEO and I Wanna Marry “Harry” creator Danny Fenton said: “We’re delighted our antipodean cousins are going to be enjoying I Wanna Marry “Harry”.
“This royal dating romp is compelling viewing for royalists and republicans alike. I’m sure everyone will be talking about the format in the weeks and months ahead.”
Matthew, a single gent who resides in Exeter, England, endured rigorous training for his royal transformation, including lessons in table etiquette, horseback riding and the Royal Family tree.
When not impersonating Prince Harry, Matthew works for an environmental consulting firm which specialises in cleaning up oil spills. He also works as, yes, a Prince Harry lookalike.
I Wanna Marry “Harry” is from Zig Zag Productions and Ryan Seacrest Productions. The series was created and executive-produced by Danny Fenton. Executive producers are also Kevin Utton and Matt Gould for Zig Zag Productions; Ryan Seacrest, Adam Sher and Heather Schuster for RSP; and David Tibballs and Rebecca Eisen.
The show premieres in the US on May 27th and TEN is yet to confirm an Airdate.
17 Responses
Seriously……
Beverley Macgarvey is a fool if she thinks this “is rapidly becoming a television event,” for the right reasons for Ten.
Crap like this could well spell the end of a number of careers. Lara Bingle, The Shire, I Will Survive, The Batchelor, have all caused significant damage to Ten’s brand and rating. I would love to a fly on the wall when this taken to an agency for sponsorship.
This is not a program that Maclennan’s target demo of 25-54 will watch, it is more likely a P10-17 and shows the network is a boat without a rudder, drifting further toward abyss.
Prepare for another Channel Ten Train Wreck with a record low viewer number night. With “Quality” like this maybe SBS can also beat them.
The quote from Beverley McGarvey says volumes about her judgement as a programmer, she needs to go if Ten has any chance to turn around.
Time to increase FTA channel licence fees methinks. If they have money for this crap then they can contribute more to the public purse.
“….It is rapidly becoming a television event.” Did I actually just read that?
What I don’t get is -who would want to marry Harry?
How much more reality will be thrown at viewers before they realise it is not worth watching?
Oh puleeezze!
And let’s not forget “Joe Millionaire”. Actually, on second thought, let’s forget it.
stupid move Ten …. this is the type of show which is why you are in the mess you are in at the moment …. following Bingle, the shire, you just making certain that History is going to repeat …..
This sounds similar to Yasmin.
The people running Ten obviously know nothing about branding and the importance of public perception.
Channel Ten want to be taken seriously as a viable third commercial network that can provide quality local drama and the best shows from overseas. Yet, they then go and commission shows like The Shire, The Bachelor and now this crap, which for the most part don’t rate. This will only do Ten more brand damage. Move this show to ONE or ELEVEN, or better yet, don’t bother airing it.
Ten – Home of craptacular reality TV.
This will die quicker than Yasmin Getting Married [was it 3 eps ?]
Feels like it belongs more on ELEVEN.
I hate myself for it, but I am gonna watch this.
Alright. I’ll admit it. I wanna watch this car crash.
I do not even remember “There’s Something About Miriam”. it must have been a total flop.
Miriam also entered the Big Brother compound in Qld, but as Fitzy famously quipped, “I’ll give you the hot tip. That’s a bloke.”
Oh God why? Give me The Biggest Loser over I Wanna Marry Harry anyday.