‘It can get out of control’: Why The Block is getting back to basics

This season marks 15 years since tradie-turned-Gold-Logie-winner Scott Cam took over the reins to present the renovation reality smash The Block. When he came on board in 2010, the show had been revived after a six-year absence from the small screen and Cam could never have predicted how big it would go on to become.

“I knew it was an iconic show,” says Cam. “The reason it rested was because of the real estate market at the time. When it was coming back, I was very privileged to be asked to host the show. Of course, I didn’t think it would go for another 19 seasons.”

Scott Cam on the upcoming season of The Block in DaylesfordCredit: Nine

The Block returns this month with its 21st season, including its 1000th episode, and continues to up the ante. The upcoming outing marks the first time teams will be building homes from scratch that are all designed with identical layouts.

“Each room is exactly the same to the millimetre, so it’s a really even playing field this time around,” explains Cam. “It makes [the contestants] bring their design A-game to stand out from each other, which is good for the viewers because there’s some great stuff going into the rooms. They had to really innovate.”

Cam says he believes the constant reinvention by The Block team is a key factor as to why the series has remained popular for so many years. “We do have to come up with new ideas all the time to freshen up the show. I’ve been very lucky for its longevity, but I think the longevity just goes to show that we do mix it up, and we keep delivering good old-fashioned family viewing that Mum, Dad and the kids can watch together.”

After last year’s controversial “flirt-gate” scandal – in which comments made by a married contestant caused his wife to walk off the show – Cam says this season’s new crop of contestants sees a back-to-basics approach to casting.

“I believe we probably had a little bit too much drama last year,” reveals Cam. “But we don’t orchestrate that, we try to manage it. It sometimes gets out of control because of the personalities. Some people say they get a bad edit, but we actually soften those people in the edits, which they don’t realise.

“Look, I think that this year is a very different series. We get back to the grassroots of building and designing and great competitive spirit. We all had a good time, contestants, crew, production.”

Contestants from the upcoming season of The Block in Daylesford. Credit: Nine

For 2025, the production took over the regional Victorian tourist hub and foodie hotspot of Daylesford for three months for the build. Cam says the locals welcomed the mammoth TV production to their picturesque town with open arms – which is notable because the show faced a planning dispute after locals voiced objections to the project back in 2023.

“They realised that we bring a lot to the community,” says Cam. “We did about a $200,000 renovation on the cinema, our contestants did that over a week, and they loved that. We showcased all the availabilities of the town, like Hepburn Springs, and we ate at all the restaurants, so it’s great for tourism. We really invest a lot of money into the town.”

Cam also this year marked another big milestone of the more personal variety, with the 62-year-old becoming a grandfather for the first time to granddaughter Tiggy. She even visited him on site at Daylesford, and viewers can expect her to make a teeny tiny cameo on the series.

“There’ll be some photos of her when I announce to the show that she’s arrived. She is part of the Block family.”

So what sort of grandfather is he: a stoic or a softie? “I’m an absolute sook, of course,” says Cam.

The Block returns at 7pm July 27 on Nine.

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