The premise of the show involves real life couples who have been having an on-going fight for a long time. A video clip is shown to the three-member celebrity panel, showing both sides of the argument. The celebrity panel (consisting of recently married, recently divorced, or those with long histories of relationship success or failure) then discuss the merits of each side of the argument and vote on who they think is right. In addition to the celebrity panel, there is also a celebrity fact checker who can provide additional information to aid in the decision making.
The show is produced by Jerry Seinfeld, who served as a judge alongside Kelly Ripa and Alec Baldwin in the first episode. On the February 19, 2010 edition of the Late Show with David Letterman, guest Tom Papa announced that Marv Albert is the announcer for The Marriage Ref.
The show is taped before a live studio audience at CBS Television Center in New York City.
