My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance

Did You Know?

• The series was cited in a class-action lawsuit filed by the Writers Guild of America on August 23, 2005.
• The lawsuit targeted production company Rocket Science Laboratories and Fox.
• The lawsuit was filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Format

An elementary school teacher named Randi Coy is offered $250,000 for herself and $250,000 for her family if she participates in a fake wedding engagement to a man called Steve Williams, who would also win $250,000 for himself and $250,000 for his family. To win the money, Randi and Steve must convince their families of the engagement and get married within 12 days, with all family members attending and no one objecting. Unbeknownst to Randi, Steve is a professional actor whose goal is to make things difficult for her.

In the first episode, the fake fiancé is revealed to be the annoying and unattractive man described in the show's title, and the engagement announcement to Randi's family intentionally creates tension. Subsequent episodes follow Randi, Steve, and the Coys as they prepare for the wedding, including meeting Steve's family. On the wedding day, Randi says 'I do,' but when it is Steve's turn, he acts emotional and announces the wedding is a setup. He reveals he is actor Steven W. Bailey and that his family were also professional actors, something Randi did not know.

Because no one caught on and Randi was unaware of the scam, she and her family received double the expected amount: $500,000 for herself and $500,000 for her family.

Reception

Laura Fries of Variety described the show's premise as contrived. Randi Coy's employer, Pope John XXIII Catholic School Community, said the series went against its mission statement and sent a warning letter to parents of Coy's students; Principal Phil Langley stated that Coy could not teach and do such a show. The series premiered on January 19, 2004, as a lead-out to the season three premiere of American Idol, drawing over 21 million viewers and averaging a 9.9 rating in the 18 to 49 demographic.

Adaptations

Russia was the first country to adapt the format, with the show Мой толстый противный жених airing on DTV-Viasat from October 9, 2004, for one season. German broadcaster Sat. 1 aired Mein großer, dicker, peinlicher Verlobter in late 2004. In France, Mon incroyable fiancé aired on TF1 in summer 2005, followed by Mon incroyable fiancé 2 in summer 2009; the second season featured a heterosexual participant convincing his family he had turned homosexual and wanted to marry his boyfriend in Spain. A third season began airing on October 17, 2014. The Netherlands aired Mijn vieze, vette, vervelende verloofde in September/October 2012. The series also inspired the NBC reality show $25 Million Dollar Hoax.