‘Lego Masters’ a ratings smash for Nine as viewers rejoice

Is this the anti-MAFS? Lego Masters debuted to huge numbers last night, with viewers praising Nine’s family-friendly new offering.

Nine’s new family-friendly reality TV offering Lego Masters had a smashing debut, trouncing Seven’s My Kitchen Rules finale in last night’s ratings.

The first episode of the wholesome Hamish Blake-hosted Lego-building competition won the night’s ratings, pulling in 1.377 million viewers across the five city metros.

In contrast, 946,000 viewers watched contestants Matt and Luke win the MKR grand final over on Seven.

Hamish Blake and judge ‘Brickman.’ Picture: Channel 9

So wholesome. Picture: SUPPLIED

Those Lego Masters numbers put the show up there with Nine’s other recent — and very different — reality TV ratings juggernaut, Married At First Sight.

And after months of trying to shield their children from the wine-throwing, bedhopping antics of MAFS contestants in prime time, parents across Australia appeared to rejoice at this new, family-friendly offering:

Congrats @Channel9 finally a reality show that doesn’t rely on alliances, nudity, promiscuous behaviour and over indulgence. Embracing creativity, design and positive outlooks with #LEGOMastersAU bravo!

— Steve Catt (@iPadCatt) April 28, 2019

In all seriousness, best new show on TV. #LEGOMastersAU

— Ben Shute (@Ben_Shute) April 28, 2019

Who's watching the #LEGOMastersAU show with their kids? 👍😋

— Damien (@DamienBoath) April 28, 2019

Who knew @LegoMastersAU would be so emotional 😭 I love Lynn! #LEGOMastersAU

— Rebel Scum (@Recheruu) April 28, 2019

I see @channel9 is trying something new in the reality show genre...a show that is all about the bricks and not about the pricks #LEGOMastersAU #LegoMasters @LegoMastersAU

— Colonel Kickhead (@colonelkickhead) April 28, 2019

Blown away with the new show. We are hooked #LEGOMastersAU

— Michelle Palangan (@my_squidy) April 28, 2019

With a PG rating, Lego Masters’ biggest “controversy” last night came courtesy of contestant and self-proclaimed ‘DILF’ Kale, a bit of a Lego control freak who didn’t seem to want to let his long-suffering teammate Bilsy play with his toys:

Bilsy needs to get himself out of this abusive relationship #LEGOMastersAU

— Chris Marantelli (@chris__mara) April 28, 2019

HIS NAME IS KALE. That’s all you need to know. #LegoMastersAU pic.twitter.com/akwS8z5qSs

— Amanda Lugton (@isaidlove) April 28, 2019

Then Kale said "I've been called a dilf" #LEGOMastersAU pic.twitter.com/8V2YgIn0Sf

— Luke (@Luke_rative) April 28, 2019

“Team work”
Kale: yeah that’s what I’m trying to do
Everyone watching: #LEGOMastersAU pic.twitter.com/QUuii0wbBi

— Kirra (@KirraKennedy) April 28, 2019

Viewers were also quick to praise Blake’s rather ‘meta’ hosting style, which saw him regularly poke fun at well-worn reality TV tropes. “This’d be a good time for an ad break,” he told one contestant during one particularly tense moment. “Seems like this is where they’d put it.” Sure enough, Nine cut to an ad break.

Blake even popped up in a to-camera confessional — as if he was a contestant on the show — to reflect on how well he’d been fulfilling his hosting duties thus far.

Hamish is so blatantly taking the piss out of his own show, he's now doing his own to-camera confessionals like the contestants. This show is 100% Logie bait and I am 100% here for it #LegoMastersAU

— Ti Butler 💎 (@tibutler) April 28, 2019

Loving #LegoMastersAU and @hamishblake in particular. Showing that a shiny-floor reality host can do more than just deliver the format points - they can be used to give you a proper good laugh too. Bravo @channel9

— Ben Stavert (@benstavert) April 28, 2019

@hamishblake killing it as a game show host on @LegoMastersAU #LEGOMastersAU

— Ally Cat (@XxAllyCat) April 28, 2019

Hey @LegoMastersAU... ‘(S)TOOLS DOWN’? Sounds familiar! 😏 #LEGOMastersAU pic.twitter.com/CvyMkBAmJG

— The Block (@TheBlock) April 28, 2019

@hamishblake is the perfect host for #LEGOMastersAU Love the way he mocks reality TV shows. “This feels like the time for an ad break” 😂😂

— Anthony VaughanNiven (@AVNiven) April 28, 2019

Nine has adopted a Ninja Warrior-esque schedule for Nine, with the show dominating the network’s prime time line-up across a brief, three-week season. Episode two airs 7:30pm tonight.

Originally published as ‘Lego Masters’ a ratings smash for Nine as viewers rejoice