MasterChef fans question grand final’s ‘orchestrated result’

IT WAS a three-hour TV marathon but MasterChef fans are spewing at the “orchestrated result” of the reality TV finale.

DISGRUNTLED MasterChef fans are hitting out at Monday night’s grand finale, claiming the scoring was “rigged” after Diana Chan’s victory was clinched only in the very last moments of the show by a ridiculously small margin.

While some viewers said the climax was a “cliffhanger” other viewers were less generous, saying the eking out of the result was “contrived” and there must have been “collusion” between the judges to ensure the result was so nail-bitingly close.

In a dramatic final few minutes, Chan, 29, an accountant from Victoria, triumphed by one point over Queensland’s Ben Ungermann whose cook was hampered when he sliced his finger.

Ben Ungermann and Diana Chan went head to head on the MasterChef Australia final.

But the final tally — 90 to 89 — was so close it raised eyebrows among fans. It meant that despite three rounds and three hours of television, the winning contestant was just one per cent more impressive than the loser. Or to be more exact, Chan’s overall score was 1.0112 per cent better that of Ungermann.

In addition, and would you believe it, that vital one extra point was given to Chan by the final judge in the final round?

Some suggested that, just maybe, the show’s creators were trying to pad out the tension.

“Orchestrated result,” said one viewer on Twitter. “What was the actual point of rounds 1&2?” said another.

I'm glad Diana won. But how convenient was the scoring.What a coincidence that it came down to one point from the last judge. #MasterChefAU

— Peter Johnson (@P_Johnson9) July 24, 2017

That 1 point win is pretty convenient #MasterChefAU

— Nick Ivanovski (@nivanovski) July 24, 2017

Bit strange everyone gives an 8 but she needs a 9 to win and of course Matt gives a 9. #masterchefAU pic.twitter.com/DYBGuIDBW3

— Maddy (@maddyrrose) July 24, 2017

So 3 judges score the same and the 4th doesn't and there ends up only 1 point the difference. Orchestrated result. #MasterChefAU

— Taidem (@Taidem1978) July 24, 2017

Absolutely rigged. More faults than her contestant, but miracously just scrapes in the one point she needed to win.

How??

— Lucy (@FutureMrsBingaz) July 24, 2017

@masterchefau RIGGED! That one extra point seemed very contrived. Sad that it was Matt given the job of swaying the judgement D:

— Sarria Butler (@sarria_butler) July 24, 2017

I'm sure there was absolutely no collusion involved that resulted in a one-point win, hey @masterchefau #masterchefau

— elias (@elias_aye) July 24, 2017

Others were less cynical, calling Chan’s last gasp win “epic” and congratulating her on being a worthy victor.

While still a high rating show, MasterChef has seen its viewership dented by the reality juggernaut that is Australian Ninja Warrior. On Monday night, the finale drew 1.303 million metro viewers, half a million down on the previous year when Elena Duggan emerged victorious. Over on Channel Nine, 1.535 million were glued to Ninja.

The first ever MasterChef final, in 2009, clocked up more than three million viewers.

The final dish to recreate was Kirsten Tibbals’ Trio of Fruits.

Diana's rendition of the Trio of Fruits final challenge on MasterChef Australia

Ben's effort at the Trio of Fruits final challenge on MasterChef Australia

Although Channel Ten and producers EndemolShine will be pleased the show has not fallen as far as its nadir in 2013 when barely one million people watched.

“MasterChef Australia remains a powerhouse across all screens and one of the most loved and successful family television shows in the country,” Ten’s chief content officer Beverley McGarvey told Mumbrella.

“Last night’s conclusion was gripping television and the perfect end to what has been an amazing season.”

Ms McGarvey said the channel had “very special things” in store for the show’s 10-year anniversary in 2018.

On Monday night’s show, Ungermann was hampered throughout the cook by a nasty cut to his left thumb, which happened 35 minutes into the first round which required constant medical attention.

“I’m not going to make any excuses,” Ungermann said. “I was just cutting butter with a knife. I don’t know whether it was the nerves. It was pretty deep and it did rattle me. I lost a lot of cooking time.”

Creating the final dish taxed both Diana Chan and Ben Ungermann.

Chan scored a perfect 30 out of 30 in the first round — a mystery box challenge — but took home one point fewer than Ungermann in a freestyle second round.

The third and final round, worth 40 points, saw the pair take on chocolatier Kirsten Tibballs’ Trio of Fruits dessert where sweet and sticky puddings were disguised as an apple, pear and orange.

Ungermann scored 35 out of 40 to Chan’s 33 in that round but it was not quite enough to unseat the Victorian.

“I was so in the zone. I went in there and focused on what I had to do. There is no way I could have plated up dishes like these in week one. To come so far means so much to me,” said Chan following her win.