ASTRA Awards: Eddie McGuire beats Gina Liano in best reality show category

IT was billed as Team Eddie versus Team Gina. Gina Liano’s The Real Housewives Of Melbourne was pitted against the Eddie McGuire-produced The Recruit in the best reality show category at the ASTRA Awards.

2015 ASTRA Awards - Arrivals

IT was billed as Team Eddie versus Team Gina.

Gina Liano’s The Real Housewives Of Melbourne was pitted against the Eddie McGuire-produced The Recruit in the best reality show category at the ASTRA Awards.

“I know we’re up against The Recruit, so it’s them or us,” Liano said on the red carpet earlier.

“I haven’t heard about The Recruit’s ratings. Based on The Housewives ratings, we’ve done better as far as I know,”

In the end, only one Toorak type could take the prize for pay television excellence: it was McGuire.

“It justifies a lot of people for putting their head on the chopping block for this. It’s three cheers for original ideas, McGuire said.

ASTRA AWARDS: ALL THE WINNERS

The Recruit follows the dreams of aspirations of young men who want an AFL career.

Eddie McGuire has been nominated for best male presenter. Picture: Getty Images

The Real Housewives Of Melbourne star Gina Liano at the ASTRA Awards. Picture: Getty Images

The show’s co-host Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald said: “The biggest thrill for us has been to give a suburban footballer the opportunity to play AFL.”

The other co-host Michael Voss added: “We thought we were no chance. The Housewives are quite popular. Everyone talks about the Housewives.”

Fifty interrupted: “Vossy’s been tagged by (Bulldogs legend) Tony Liberatore before, but that’s nothing on the pressure he received from the Real Housewives.

“He’s got more scratch marks than he’s ever had.”

The Eddie vs Gina contest is sure to be short-lived. His production company, McGuire Media, has shot a pilot of Liano’s courtroom arbitration show, Judge Gina.

“Team Gina and Team Eddie might be working together. We’re old friends. You couldn’t get two different shows with The Recruit and Housewives.

Originally published as ASTRA Awards: Eddie McGuire beats Gina Liano in best reality show category