90 Day Fiancé’s success is for real

FORGET telenovelas and soapies.

TLC’S 90 Day Fiancé rivals the melodrama. I’m not exaggerating here.

Of all the dating shows on TV right now, this one is at the top of my list.

In fact, the spin-offs of the franchise are equally entertaining, too.

So here’s the deal, the show looks at couples dating across the border.

The American, determined to have a future with their partner, then applies for the K-1 visa. When it is approved – it is a long and costly process – they have 90 days to decide whether they want to take the plunge or not.

And the cast, each one with their own emotional baggage, navigate a conflicted path where cultural differences, age gaps, family friction and religious beliefs become deal breakers.

In South Africa, we are nearing the end of season 8 and it’s been explosive and jaw-dropping, more so with the cast dealing with the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown.

Of course, there has been no shortage of histrionics, I assure you.

Mike Youngquist, 35 and Natalie Mordovtseva, 35 hogged the limelight with their constant bickering.

After almost breaking up in Ukraine on Mike’s last visit, a distrustful Natalie joined Mike in Washington.

Aside from wanting her engagement ring back, she wanted to tie the knot before the visa expires.

Her jealousy left Mike even more withdrawn and uncertain about exchanging vows. And he was far from a nice guy, too.

Throughout the season, viewers have been anxiously waiting to see if they will finally get to the altar.

For the impatient ones, like myself, we turned to Google to reveal all.

I am still trying to wrap my head around Stephanie Davidson’s, 52, tumultuous relationship with Ryan Carr, 27. They met while she was on holiday in Belize. In many ways, she is more of a sugar mummy to him than “wife material”.

Talk about red flags, this relationship screamed disaster.

Where does one start. Oh yes, she slept with his cousin but she has trust issues. He doesn’t like to be told what to do and chats with other women.

She relies on her close-knit psychic friend to steer her towards a happy ever after instead of simply growing up and making a call on what she wants.

Don’t even get me started on her jumping back into the sack with Ryan’s cousin at the first sign of trouble.

She doesn’t just come across as desperate, she is several prozacs away from a meltdown. The best thing Amira Lollysa, 28, has done on the show is get back on a flight to Paris after quarantining in Syria for 14 days just to get to the US and be with the love of her life, Andrew Kenton, 32.