In the midst of between-season re-runs and in place of 90210, The CW managed to sneak in a new reality show. And thus, Hitched or Ditched premiered last night with its pilot, “Bastards Out of Carolina.” Relationships, the possibility of marriage (or a public dumping), family drama and episode titles this titillating? Yeah, it was pretty much a given that this one was going to be good.

In this starter episode, viewers were introduced to the first in a season-long line of couples. For this showing, Hitched or Ditched presented us with CeLisa and Travis. She’s a 26 year old nanny, he’s a 32 year old building contractor. At the top of the episode, they were presented as a couple that’s very much in love…but. She thinks he’s got commitment and jealousy issues; he thinks she’s too much of a wild child and can’t seem to fully trust her. When CeLisa told the cameras that she feels her biological clock “ticking, ticking, ticking,” I felt a shiver of dread.

Like, no wonder the dude’s afraid of marriage.

At any rate, CeLisa and Travis were presented with their own wedding invitation at the beginning of the episode. They were given a week to air the issue before their families, go ring shopping and pick out the dress. She celebrated her bachelorette party with random bar guys and several girlfriends. He had some drinks with friends and decided to find out his intended was up to, actually showing up at the party and trying to make her go home for the evening. She refused.

Both experienced pressure from their own, and from each other’s, family. Travis’s mother, father and sister felt quite strongly that CeLisa isn’t the girl for him. CeLisa’s dad is certainly no fan of Travis. Around the dining table everyone talked of these concerns, and CeLisa praised the fact that North Carolina allows annulments for up to ninety days after a wedding.

Finally, both were standing at the altar. She was beautifully gowned in white. Red rose petals littered the ground. An amusing and very charming justice of the peace presided over the event. When he offered up the classic line - “speak now, or for ever hold your piece” - CeLisa turned to the onlookers with a mutinous gleam in her eyes. “Don’t say anything!” She warned, with an eye on her side of the aisle. “Anyone,” she added ominously. When asked if she would, she said “I do.”

And finally, it was Travis’s turn to answer. When he responded with a little speech instead of an immediate answer, it was pretty obvious this whole wedding was about to go south. He complimented CeLisa’s appearance and spoke of his love and devotion. And then…he ditched her and decided to say nay on the whole marriage thing.

The epilogue at the end told the audience that, today, CeLisa and Travis are no longer seeing each other. She’s now living with a friend while he’s enjoying the single life. Their four-year history, it would seem, has now come to a close…a conclusion reached through the drama of reality TV.

Next week, another couple will be presented…and I’ll be glued to my couch, watching. The idea may not be fresh, the weddings themselves may not be spectacular and the fast pace may be a little hard to keep up with, but Hitched or Ditched is great reality TV. Factor in disagreeable families, uncertain couples, lots of pressure and possible public humiliation, and it’s impossible not to watch.