MasterChef Australia focusing on food, not drama
A RARITY in the current entertainment climate, celebrity chefs and MasterChef judges Matt Preston and George Calombaris are cutting down on contrived drama, “show ponies” and “d---heads”. This is why.
Confidential
Don't miss out on the headlines from Confidential. Followed categories will be added to My News.
MATT Preston and George Calombaris say MasterChef Australia has a “no d---heads” policy because the team behind the show believes it should focus on the food, rather than stirring up drama.
Preston said while it was a rarity in the current climate, he would always choose “terrible TV talent who could cook” over “show ponies with 100,000 followers”, who might make a better storyline.
“You can get drama by picking d---heads, but over the years we have picked fewer and fewer d---heads,” he said.
COLIN VICKERY: MASTERCHEF’S LESSONS FOR I’M A CELEB
GEORGE REVEALS WHAT ‘BLACK BOX’ EYESORE IS
“We have to spend seven months (filming) with these people, and that is so much better when we get along.
“For us, the exciting thing is finding people who want to pursue food to change their life, not finding stereotypical TV talent.”
He said the Channel 10 show’s loyal following had been “very vocal and quick to move away” in previous years when there had been more of a focus on backstories or drama.
Calombaris agreed: “We don’t do contrived. We’re like the mafia, the three of us.
“We’re very committed to protecting the brand. We’ve got a lot of responsibility. People look up to us. We’re role models.”
He added: “I get what Matt is saying. We want good people. It’s about humanity and care. If they’ve got that, and a love for food, they should be on MasterChef.”
The judges hosted the series 10 launch of MasterChef in Melbourne last night.
Celebrity guests included The Project’s Carrie Bickmore and Waleed Aly, chefs Shannon Bennett, Darren Purchese and Adriano Zumbo, and MasterChef alumni Justine Schofield, Callum Hann and Hayden Quinn.
— MasterChef Australia premieres Monday at 7.30pm on Ten.
‘I wouldn’t even s*** that’: What you missed on Wentworth
Wentworth does WikiLeaks in the third episode of the new season, as the Foxtel drama welcomes a new face. And there’s drama for Reb and Lou. Warning: Spoilers.
Cocaine Cassie trades nude snaps for cash
Convicted South Australian drug smuggler “Cocaine Cassie” is swapping nude photos with men in Australia for cash while serving out the remainder of her sentence on parole in Colombia.