The Marriage Ref

Debbie met Mario in high school and it's clear they're still very much in love. Over 37 years of marriage they've learned to cherish each other-- and to accept each other's shortcomings. But Debbie's got a habit that's driving Mario crazy: her insistence that any cup of coffee she drinks be freshly brewed. We see her at a restaurant, sternly questioning the server as to when the coffee was brewed. She claims she can tell just how old a pot of coffee is - and warns the server that if the cup she brings isn't fresh, she'll know. Mario is tired of having to make excuses for his wife. "It's very, very sad to me."

Debbie has a bone to pick with Mario too: the excessive time he spends grooming in the bathroom. He explains he needs about two hours to get ready. "When you look good, you feel good," he tells her. "I feel like $#@!" says Debbie.

Matthew completely sympathizes with Debbie on the coffee - he needs it fresh too. Natalie Morales reinforces their point: decaffeinated coffee goes bad after about 30 minutes.

Regarding Mario's time in the bathroom, Mathew says he should get all the time he wants. "She should be happy," he tells the panel. "He's gone for a few hours."

Martin agrees that Debbie's got a right to fresh coffee, but when it comes to the bathroom, he's spending too much time in there.

Sarah agrees on the need for fresh coffee, but says it's all in the way you ask for it. "You could maybe nicer about it," she explains, then offers a demonstration. "I am so sorry, but if you wouldn't mind. I just really like my coffee freshly brewed." As to Mario's grooming habits, she feels bathroom time is private time and that he should be allowed to spend as much time as he needs.

Tom makes his calls to the D'Amores via satellite. "Debbie, I was a waiter. You're entitled to get your coffee any way you want. But I can't take the suspicions (as whether it's less than 30 minutes old). Just order the coffee and drink it. Mario you win that one."

As to Mario's time in the bathroom, Tom finds it excessive. "The entire cast of Avatar got ready in an hour," he jokes. "You're a man. 45 minutes tops or we're coming in. Debbie you win that one."

Now that each spouse has won a decision, Tom explains that they'll need a tie-breaker. And he's got one: Mario's newfound fascination with country line dancing. He demonstrates his deft moves across the kitchen floor. The problem is Mario likes to go out and dance without his wife. Debbie doesn't understand why her husband wants to pursue this new passion without her, but Mario's insistent.

"Debbie and I have hobbies together and we have hobbies separately," he explains. "It's very important to me."

Sarah's confused by Debbie's attitude. "It doesn't really sound like she wants to even line dance. He should let his freak flag fly."

Matthew agrees. "He should be allowed to dance all he wants," says the Tony Award winner.

Martin Short agrees - Mario should be allowed to dance.

Tom tells Debbie the bad news. "You say you'd like to go with him, but you look like you'd rather be at home with a nice fresh cup of decaf," he tells her. "So I'm giving this one to Mario, because when I see him dancing in your kitchen, I see the happiest man I've seen in my life."

The D'Amores received a second honeymoon on a Royal Caribbean Cruise. For more information on Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas or Mariner of the Seas, please visit royalcarribbean.com.

Travel journals coming soon!