90 Day Fiance Season 3 star Melanie Bowers and her Jamaican husband Devar Walters will be returning to the small screen this Thursday for an episode of Dr. Phil titled “The Pain of Marriage Remorse.” But it appears as though whatever drama unfolds on the show won’t compete with what went on behind the scenes!
According to 90 Day Fiance Season 2 star Jason Hitch, who has been VERY vocal about his regret over doing the show and his disdain for TLC (and its parent company, Discovery Communications), he and wife Cassia Tavares were originally scheduled to appear on Dr. Phil–but Discovery killed the deal and forced the swap!
From Jason and Cassia’s Facebook page:
Breaking News Fans & Friends: Discovery Channel, the parent company of TLC, refused to give footage of Cassia & I and TLC logo rights to the Dr.Phil show. Cassia & I were booked as guests on his show for a November 16th taping. Discovery Media convinced producers of Dr. Phil to take another couple as they would give them (Dr.Phil) any footage they wanted. Discovery stated we weren’t allowed to do it because of our contract even though it is expired. Dr. Phil didn’t care. They just needed a couple with a large “age difference with “issues””. Melanie & Devar were asked to be on the show and were filmed instead. Will air this Thursday. So, that is the TV biz for ya! You win some. You lose some. Thank you friends for your support & trust.
One commenter responded half jokingly, “Maybe you guys just aren’t ‘screwed up’ enough to be on Dr. Phil. LOL! Nonetheless, am disappointed you won’t be on TV again. 🙁 ”
Jason’s response:
Discovery Media did it for several reasons. Spite being the first one. They despise Cassia and I doing media interview after the next. They want control. Being on Dr.Phil would not help Discovery or their franchise 90day. It would only help us. Discovery also is pushing a “message”. Look at their programming choices. You see. This Dr.Phil thing is not a Anti-Melanie. Its an Anti-Discovery/TLC move.
When someone pointed out that, if the episode was focused on age difference, that Season 3’s Mark and Nikki seemed like a better choice, Jason revealed that he has spoken with Mark, and the experience of being on the show was an unpleasant for him as well.
Jason added, “Mark doesn’t want to be on TV again.”
So what can viewers expect to see from Melanie and Devar on Dr. Phil? Here is the description of their segment from the show:
Melanie, from the hit TLC show, 90 Day Fiancé, says she was vacationing in Jamaica when she met her much younger man, Devar. The couple claims to be happy, but Melanie’s sister, Bev, says she believes Devar is an opportunist who is only interested in Melanie’s money and a green card. Is Devar using Melanie, or have they really found true love?
It kinda sounds like they will be rehashing what went on during the season. I have to agree with 100% of everybody that it sure would have been more entertaining to see Mark and Nikki!
In reaction to Jason’s post on Facebook, Melanie pointed out that it was TLC that approached them to do the show. A former guest of Dr. Phil responded, “I have been on Dr. Phil he is one scary/ intimidating guy. Hope he didn’t give y’all a hard time.” Melanie responded, “He is very intimidating. Lol”
UPDATE – Jason Hitch has since clarified that his grievance isn’t with Melanie and Devar at all, but with Discovery:
This issue is not Mel/Devar versus Jason/Cassia. Far from it. It has been from day 1 how the Network and Production company think they get to decide who plays in their sandbox. I am glad Mel and her new husband and the bulldog sister can work out their “new marital issues”. It will be a rehash of 90 day. They haven’t been married enough to be any other issue. I get it. That being said. I hope they send me a thank you card. Hope they enjoyed a free 4 day LA trip. I am sure my christmas card is in the mail. We move on to our next show. You win some. You lose some. This time we got sandbagged and lost. The game isn’t over yet.
The Dr. Phil episode “The Pain of Marriage Remorse” airs this Thursday. Here is the full synopsis:
The Pain of Marriage Remorse: “I’m Ready to Leave My Husband Who is 26 Years Older”
Brenda says she fell in love with and married her husband, Don, six years ago – despite their 26-year age gap. But soon after, she claims her “Prince Charming” began to change, and says now she feels trapped in a “toxic relationship” with a husband she believes may be bi-polar. She claims Don throws temper tantrums, hoards paper and has unpredictable mood swings, and says she’s repulsed by his behavior. Don denies Brenda’s claims and says he just wants to save his family. Is their age difference at the root of their issues, or is something deeper at play? Then, Melanie, from the hit TLC show, 90 Day Fiancé, says she was vacationing in Jamaica when she met her much younger man, Devar. The couple claims to be happy, but Melanie’s sister, Bev, says she believes Devar is an opportunist who is only interested in Melanie’s money and a green card. Is Devar using Melanie, or have they really found true love? And, Dr. Phil catches up with best-selling author Mitch Albom to talk about his novel, The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto, and his passion project: an orphanage in Haiti.
And, for those of you disappointed that you won’t be seeing more of Jason and Cassia, you can get your fix via their YouTube channel, where they often recap episodes of 90 Day Fiance. Here is there most recent video:
