Viewers slam The Block over treatment of Omar and Oz

There’s a fresh controversy brewing on The Block, as fans slam the show for its treatment of two of this season’s contestants.

Fans of The Block have taken to social media to vent their frustrations about how the show is treating contestants Omar and Oz, amid claims the duo are being unfairly targeted for punishment.

The pair’s living and dining room was effectively disqualified from the judging during Sunday’s episode, with Scott Cam docking them by three points after it was declared that they had broken one of the show’s golden rules.

Omar and Oz had furnished the room with a baby grand piano – an expensive item they had negotiated down to $7000 from a price of more than $35,000.

Scott Cam doles out the punishment.

Omar and Oz get disqualified for the week. .

This was a clear breach of one key Block rule – that contestants are not allowed to procure discounts of more than 50% for goods and services they purchase.

But as many viewers pointed out, Omar and Oz are not the first contestants to break that rule this season. Only a few episodes earlier, controversial couple Sharon and Ankur were shown bargaining down an $800 antique mirror to a price of just $100 – a purchase that then secured them a $12,000 challenge win, and went unremarked upon by Scott Cam.

#theblock didn’t house three buy a mirror for $100.00 that retailed for $800.00 for a challenge that what ever they purchased had to be put in the kitchen, and they won with it, how’s that any different?

— Liz (@LHumphrey6) September 25, 2022

Google a recipe in a challenge thats fine, buy a mirror for $100 thats worth $800 oh thats fine but negotiate a piano thats 14 years old and refurbished thats a big NO NO #TheBlock

— Chubc (@DidYouSeeChubC) September 25, 2022

Didn't seem to matter when Sharon bought an $800 mirror for $100 and won a $12k prize because of it #TheBlock

— Burgunbeerd / BuyersGuyd (I'm bad at branding ok?) (@Burgunbeerd) September 25, 2022

A few seasons ago, didn’t the netball couple get in trouble for more than 50% discount? They just had to pay the difference not get disqualified #TheBlock

— 💧Roy Kelpie (@roykelpie) September 25, 2022

And as others said, producers apparently knew about Omar and Oz’s rule-breaking deal all week, but left it until the judging to bring it up (not an uncommon tactic on The Block – where prior infractions like last year’s cheating scandal and Ankur and Sharon’s wine challenge win were milked for all they were worth, rather than being dealt with quickly).

this is ridiculous. omar told the camera about the discount DAYS ago! they could’ve warned him about the rule he clearly didnt know but no, why do that when you can use it for dramatic content in front of everyone at judging? dog move.. not that surprised, but still #theblock

— â™± (@yy___xy) September 25, 2022

#theblock

Three times during the week the boys mentioned that the piano was only costing them $7500.

Scott Cam knew this and the producers knew this.

To let it go until judging and Sunday night was a wank-act.#FFS this show is becoming unwatchable.

— Hilly #MaintainTheRage #TripleVaccinated (@Hillyhobbit) September 25, 2022

Omar & Oz say that production knew all week that the piano was $36,000 but they were paying $7500. As with all other things that breach the rules, they should have been told before reveal so they had time to rectify it. Creating drama was more important to production. #TheBlock

— Shaken&stirred (@Shakenstirred8) September 25, 2022

What a beat up. #TheBlock The fact the boyz and the production team knew all week about the piano and it’s left til Sunday to blatantly rip them for it. #pathetic

— ❨ j ⋆✿ ༄ 😷🌴 (@sitdowninfront) September 25, 2022

By Monday’s episode, fellow contestants Tom and Sarah-Jane had enlisted the support of the rest of the cast to demand a full financial audit, with the hope of uncovering more “dodginess” from Omar and Oz.

But the boys also threw their support behind the audit, insisting they had nothing to hide.

“We want the financial audit as much as them,” they wrote on Instagram overnight.