I seriously thought the premise was goofy when I first heard about it. A mismatched couple (Steve and Randi) must convince their families that they fell in love on a reality dating show, got engaged, and are going to be married. The producers of this so-called reality show where they fell in love are going to film everything leading up to and including the wedding (which provides an excuse for having all the cameras to film the behind-the-scenes stuff). If the couple can convince their families that they love each other and can make it to the part where they say "I do" at the "ceremony," they both win $250,000 each PLUS $250,000 for each of their families.
One catch -- Steve is really an actor and so are his "family" members. So, Randi has no idea that this goofy, belching, sweaty guy is not competing with her so both of them can win the money. He's actually making it ten times harder for her to win because it will be more difficult for her to be convincing to her family that she is in love with him.
From what I gathered during tonight's finale which led up to the wedding, her family was not quite pleased with her choice to marry this guy so soon. It was tearing her apart to see her family as upset as they were. But they stood by her and all of them were present at the wedding. One of her brothers was really peeved off during the whole ceremony and sat with his arms crossed. But somehow, when they got to the point where the preacher asks if anyone has any objections, no one said a thing. Then the preacher asked her if she took him to be her lawfully wedded husband and so on. And she said, "I do." Then he asked the same of Steve.
But Steve said, "Listen...I...I can't. I'm sorry. This is fake. This isn't real. We're faking it. This is not a real wedding." At that point, Randi's mom couldn't take it anymore. She got up and left and went inside the mansion where all this was taking place. Steve tried to get her to wait and let him finish. She said, "Tell them...I don't want to hear it." The rest of Randi's siblings followed their mother, but her father stayed behind -- to hear what Steve had to say and to be there for Randi. Of course, everyone was pretty embarrassed by what had transpired. One of the producers of the "dating" show went up to suite where Randi's family was. He begged them to go back down and be there for her because Randi really didn't want them to be hurt by all of this. So her mother decided she could endure whatever else was coming for five minutes more. And they went back outside to the wedding altar.
Steve continues to tell his story to the wedding attendees about the "reality" show and what the "game" was -- convincing the families that they were in love so that they could win the grand prize. At this point, Randi tries to tell her family that she never meant to hurt them and she wanted to do it for them - so her brother could move out and be on his own, so her sister could travel, so another brother could pay for college, and so her parents could be financially secure. Her father tells her this isn't all about the money. Then Steve drops the bomb on everyone. He turns to Randi and tells her that he's not who she thinks he is. He explains that he and his "family" are actors, that he really isn't that much of a pig or a klutz, and he's never been in a burping contest before. He explains that he was hired to be the most obnoxious, rude, crude fiance possible.
This is where it gets good.
At this point, everyone including Randi, feels betrayed. But Steve turns the tide. He explains that the show's focus shifted when the Coys (Randi's family) came into the picture. They were not going to sit by and let Randi make a huge mistake. They were kind and polite to Steve and accepted him with all his imperfections. However, they were willing to voice their concerns to Randi. He turned to Randi as he said, "The real tribute of love for their family is that, despite their concerns and their cares, they're still here today. And they came to this wedding in support of you, their love for you, their trust in you, and that became the story of our show -- the love of a family and the bond that keeps them together." (And this point, I had to get the Kleenex box out. Randi was crying too) "And that's the sort of love that needs to be rewarded. This is the good part." (Everyone applauds even though they have yet to learn what the "good part" is.) He points to his "side" of the wedding attendees - "On the one hand, fine bunch of people, talented actors, fake family." Then he points to her family. "Ah, the Coys, a genuine article. Nothing more true than the love the exhibit for each other. And yes, it isn't all about money, Mr. Coy. But I would like to present a couple of checks, not made out for $250,000 a piece, but rather made out for $500,000 a piece." Then he so sweetly looks at her and says, "Randi Coy...my friend...here is your check for half a million dollars." (Forget the money...it's all about how he said "my friend." Yes, he wanted to give her the money, but his emphasis was more on what she had sacrificed and risked in terms of the love of her family and how everyone grew closer in the end because of their love for each other) And then he presented the other $500,000 check to the family.
They all talked a bit longer and she spoke with her family about how she never wanted to hurt them. The brother that was the most ticked off during the whole thing STILL had his arms crossed in front of him, but then suddenly stood up and went over to give her a warm, forgiving hug.
It was still a pretty goofy, unscripted reality show for the most part. But what a way to end it.
