Gary Direnfeld says he's a lot like Mary Poppins.

A social worker living in Dundas, Mr. Direnfeld is the relationship expert on a show called Newlywed, Nearly Dead? on the Slice network. The show is currently looking for couples from the Hamilton area to participate in season three.

Each episode features a newlywed couple, married for three years or less, dealing with some frustrating pet peeves like leaving the dirty dishes in the sink or not putting the lid on the toothpaste.

"Often, they are issues of adjustment," said Mr. Direnfeld. "Somehow, life is different when you are formally married...these habits that you once tolerated, you take more seriously."

He said the show is a "hoot," and as serious as many of the issues are, it's a fun time for both both himself and the couples. Mr. Direnfeld meets with the couple and treats them in one episode. That's why he adopted the Mary Poppins title.

"I parachute in to do my bit then parachute out," he said.

Once a couple is selected for the show, each spouse is given a video camera to collect "evidence" for a week. Mr. Direnfeld reviews the footage at the end of the week and gives the couple fun challenges to help curb their bad habits.

"Sometimes, the mere act of seeing [themselves] on tape stops them in their tracks," said Mr. Direnfeld.

In the first episode, Erin accused her husband, David, of being a sloppy eater, so Mr. Direnfeld had him eat in front of a mirror for a week. David accused Erin of dangerous driving habits, so Mr. Direnfeld got Erin to drive with a photo of David on the dashboard to remind her to slow down.

"The challenges are light-hearted," said Mr. Direnfeld. "But the help is sincere...we have to produce good counseling, and we have to produce good television."

In one episode, Mr. Direnfeld told a nagging wife she had to sing a rap tune to express her complaints to her husband instead of nagging all the time.

"They have to recognize and alter their behaviour," said Mr. Direnfeld.

After a week of challenge, the couples are rewarded with something to "renew the woo."

Something together

It is a night for couples to do something together, and renew the intimacy and joy the relationship once had. Some couples go out for dinner or a night at a hotel, while others take juggling lessons or go dog sledding.

Couples who are interested in participating in season three can send an e-mail with their names, contact information, a list of pet peeves and an explanation of why they deserve to be on the show to newlywed@propertelevision.com.

"It's fun," said Mr. Direnfeld. "As scary as it is to air your pet peeves, there is relief in getting help."