Is John Ready for an Instant Family in 90 Day Fiancé: The Single Life?

The 90 Day Fiancé franchise turned 10 on January 12, marking a decade of dubious relationships, (occasional) true love, a translation app that often seems to have a mind of its own, and some of reality TV’s biggest personalities. Some breakouts have had more longevity than others: “Big Ed” Brown has bounced around from show to show, and Chantel Everett led her own multiseason spin-off with now-ex-husband Pedro Jimeno before joining The Single Life. Whether they’re winning or losing at love, they make good TV.

John McManus has the potential to be another 90 Day Fiancé all-timer, whether or not he's in it for the long haul. The Worcester native was introduced in Season 9 of the flagship series as a rambunctious third wheel to Patrick and Thais. He charmed many viewers, even when he was being obnoxious or creating greater fiction in Patrick and Thais’ already fraught relationship. Though it’s obvious he has some growing up to do, John livened up the season overall (and subsequent installments of Pillow Talk). Now it’s John’s turn to search for love (or something like it) in The Single Life, and he seems both eager and possibly in over his head.

“Debbie Tells a Lie,” the third episode of Season 4, finally catches us up with the brash bro, who’s finally moved out from Patrick and Thais' home (and into his other brother’s place — more on that in a bit). As new parents are wont to do, Patrick and Thais ask John if he wants to start his own family. He lays out his “resume” in response, describing himself as “laidback” and a “procrastinator” who’s “partied a lot, to say the least." He’s only had a handful of remotely serious relationships, including one engagement. But he makes it very clear that being single doesn’t mean he’s been lonely.

John claims to be looking for something more now, though, and not just because Patrick’s wingman days are far behind him. He tells Patrick and Thais about Megan, a 33-year-old woman from Texas he’s been chatting with (amid all the hookups, apparently). Patrick, who knows John best, seems skeptical about the arrangement leading to something long-term for his brother. But John’s already making plans to visit Megan in San Antonio, even though he’s still living out of a suitcase in brother Matt’s home. John hasn’t told Megan about being in-between places, of course, because he doesn’t think you need to disclose everything at the start of a relationship, which makes you wonder just how serious he is about finding someone.

As yet another one of John’s younger brothers who’s wiser than him, Matt points out that “any solid relationship’s pretty honest in the beginning,” especially when you’re entering into a relationship with someone who has a kid. That’s the episode’s real bombshell: “professional bachelor” John (because he’s “better than the rest”), who admits he usually steers clear of single moms, is considering “trad[ing] in the late nights at the bars and settl[ing] down to the family man.”

Matt and his husband Carlos think John might be moving too quickly, and rightly so — here’s a man who’s spent the last few years hooking up making the most of his newfound notoriety. Even John admits he doesn’t know if he’s ready, but for Megan, he’s willing to try. “Sometimes you need a reason to change,” he tells Matt and Carlos (who looks like he can’t wait to see how this turns out). And sometimes, those changes actually stick. But this is a pretty big detour for someone who, just a year or so ago, was driving a wedge between his brother and his sister-in-law. Whether he falls back into his old ways or finds something lasting with Megan, The Single Life could be a short trip for John.

90 Day Fiancé: The Single Life airs Mondays at 8:00 PM ET on TLC, and is also available to stream on Max and Discovery+. Join the discussion about the show in our forums.

Danette Chavez is the Editor-in-Chief of Primetimer and its biggest fan of puns.