The premise of MTV’s “Help! I’m in a Secret Relationship!” is simple enough: one partner is hiding the relationship from their family or friends, and the other partner is (understandably) fed up. Cue the dramatic confrontations, tearful confessions, and eventual (sometimes) reconciliations. It’s a formula that’s both predictable and oddly compelling.
This week’s episode features Zack and Chelsea. Zack is ready to propose, but Chelsea is reluctant to go public with their relationship. She’s a van-lifer, which apparently means she values her privacy or possibly has another life she’s hiding. Hosts Travis Mills and Rahne Jones, who have perfected the art of concerned nodding and gentle probing, try to get to the bottom of Chelsea’s secrecy. Will they uncover a shocking betrayal? A hidden family? Or just a really intense commitment to the nomadic lifestyle?
Honestly, it doesn’t really matter. The show’s appeal lies in the train-wreck fascination of watching couples air their dirty laundry on national television. It’s a guilty pleasure, sure, but sometimes a little voyeurism is exactly what you need on a Tuesday night. “Zack & Chelsea” airs Tuesday at 9:00 PM on MTV.
“Help! I’m in a Secret Relationship!” airs Tuesdays at 9:00 PM on MTV.