MAFS has made a huge shift this season and we bet you hadn’t noticed

Producers revealed "Changes were needed to reinvigorate the whole program"

The team behind everyone’s favourite reality TV show has made a major change to this season that many haven’t even realised.

In seasons passed, fans have wondered how much of the experiment is genuine, and it has recently been revealed that the producers at both Endemol Shine Australia and Channel Nine have decided to spice things up.

The team behind the scenes decided to "re-assess their whole approach" for this year's season to remind viewers that, primarily, MAFS is a program designed to entertain, with any relationships that eventuate an added bonus.

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Breaking the 'fourth wall'

This season, the producers of MAFS have opted to frequently "break the fourth wall." 

This involves acknowledging the show's audience, the camera, or other observers. 

Unlike the usual practice of producers remaining hidden behind the scenes, they have taken the opposite approach this year. 

Crew members have regularly appeared in almost every episode since the weddings, including carrying bride Natalie Parham down the aisle, playfully referring to her as "precious cargo." 

Additionally, producers can now be heard interacting with cast members during their on-camera interviews, a departure from the previous practice of participants repeating questions to edit out the producers' voices.

RELATED: MAFS runaway bride Natalie rips into husband Collins after quitting the show

We were treated to a behind-the-scenes glimpse after the last commitment ceremony. Source: Endemol Shine Australia (a Banijay Company) for the 9Network.

Crew members take to the stage

After the initial commitment ceremony, editors added a shot featuring two crew members blowing out candles and a cameraman setting down his camera. 

And Sunday's episode showed Tori Adams and Jack Dunkley on a commitment ceremony couch while producers tidied up nearby.

An insider on the production team told Yahoo Lifestyle that the changes were needed to "reinvigorate the whole program".

"Breaking the fourth wall also takes the power away from the participants when they walk away and blame everything on producers," added the source.

"Previously, the producers have been perceived as these nameless, faceless entities. Viewers can now see them, hear them and realise they're not villains."

RELATED: Nine in 'damage control' over major MAFS spoiler

This couple were destined for failure. Source: Endemol Shine Australia (a Banijay Company) for the 9Network.

And the Logie goes to…

It was also revealed casting former Home and Away star Madeleine as an intruder on the show was a deliberate decision, almost a response to the annual accusations of the cast being "secret actors." 

Introducing her and openly acknowledging her previous acting career in her first episode reminded viewers that MAFS is a crafted television show with the sole purpose of entertaining.

After Sunday's commitment ceremony, Madeleine informed the experts and her husband she wanted to leave the experiment. The couple decided to call it quits after Monday's episode.

Another insider to the show gave an insight into the reasons behind their short-lived experience. 

"Maddy refused to play ball with producers and sensationally quit. Ash was just as much done and over it, too," they revealed. 

"Ash knew that he didn't stand a chance with her. He called up the producers post-ceremony, declaring he wanted out. Yet, they were brought back together for one final showdown."

With that all being said, it doesn't make for a guilty pleasure of viewing. So, grab your popcorn and prepare for a wild ride that is more TV than reality.

Originally published as MAFS has made a huge shift this season and we bet you hadn’t noticed