Matt Preston’s “best new talent” status is wearing thin

Ziggy says:

06:54am | 01/06/10

Worrying about MasterChef or Preston’s behaviour must rank as one of the least important things in the universe but it shows what a really nice person you are, Tors.
The behaviour is a reflection of the poor standards we accept as the norm and then wonder why the kids behave so badly.
Overblown egos poncing about over triviality sums up the whole experience of Master Chef.
But then it’s only manipulative entertainment - watered down version of the ancient gladiator rituals - we love to see people get hurt, don’t we?

Nitzpicker says:

07:38am | 01/06/10

What a waste of food. If only Matt dropped more plates, he might be a little thinner and healthier.

Andrew says:

08:09am | 01/06/10

No change since the last story on Matt Preston on The Punch.

He’s still a w@nker!

WD40 says:

08:13am | 01/06/10

I think the success of the show last season actually hid the fact that Preston is a pompous fool with an inflated sense of self-importance. He’s all show - the cravats an aqua pants are all look-at-me clothes. This time around he knows how popular George and Gray are, so he’s trying even harder to have people look at him. When that plate hit the floor, the show jumped the shark.
The gorgeous and intelligent Sarah Wilson must be grateful watching this that she didn’t get a geurnsey for the second series.

Bec says:

08:35am | 01/06/10

I agree the show has lost its way this year and succumbed to manipulative and misleading stunts that are designed to grab ratings and attention but sadly only end up leaving a bitter taste of disappointment.
Last year it was the something different in a bland landscape of reality TV. This year it has come over all Survivor and it’s ridiculous.

Couch Potato Tails says:

08:44am | 01/06/10

Couldn’t agree with you more. When they cut to the ad break after he dropped the plate I said to my wife that I hoped this was going to be some sort of dream sequence as that would be the least cringe-worthy way they would backtrack out of this. A lot of people were hoping this would be the Empire Strikes Back of sequels. Unfortunately it’s beginning to look a lot more like Grease 2.

KH says:

08:55am | 01/06/10

I think that the main reason for the popularity of this show is that for once, a ‘reality’ show wasn’t trying to humiliate people and make them look stupid - these are amateur cooks - I think their skill is astounding considering I can’t boil an egg without setting fire to the kitchen, so to see them trying to cut it with professionals both highlights the amount of skill that is required in that industry and how hard they work.  I liked the positivity of it, and I agree that it has lost its way a bit this year.  Preston really does stick out like a sore thumb - Gary and George both seem quite natural and likeable, but Preston has become a victim of his own ego.
They did a couple of things right this year - removing the ability for contestants to eliminate each other, better challenges, that silly woman who used to host (whatever her name was!) etc, but a couple of things wrong - the crying crap, which frankly has become so annoying I have found myself reaching for the remote knowing that there will be an ad break around then anyway, and Preston’s histrionics - that plate throwing thing was just stupid, particularly after Gary had just said how much he loved it.  You wonder what happened behind the scenes as Aaron won anyway…....come on Channel 10 - please - you actually started to look like you were listening - please don’t become…............channel 9.  Now there is a train wreck of a TV network…....

Daza says:

09:19am | 01/06/10

I guess their ratings must be slipping…. time to pull a few stunts! What are we up for next episode??

BlueBalls says:

09:19am | 01/06/10

Totally agree Tory.  Someone reel that pompous twat in please…

Crizza says:

09:23am | 01/06/10

that plate dropping incident blew Masterchef for me - and the whole family whatsmore. What a manipulative piece of tosh - and poorly done too.

Bob says:

09:49am | 01/06/10

totally agree! He’s being a prat and is way too over the top this year.  The other two judges annoy me normally, but I used to think Matt had some credibility… I guess I was wrong

Missy says:

09:53am | 01/06/10

To apply an appalling cliche, Matt is over egging the drama pudding.  It’s very tempting for producers to up that kind of ante when a host or celeb is fairly popular for being quirky BUT when it is so staged and so over-done, it becomes a sorry and lame sight and the celeb/host winds up looking like a fool at a NIDA audition (‘in this exercise you must feign your disgust at a meal - BUT, there will be a twist!!’)  - which unfortunately Matt did.

Beau says:

10:02am | 01/06/10

Such a shame they’re resorting to this kind of behaviour. One less reason to watch network TV

Glen says:

10:11am | 01/06/10

I think it being on 6 nights a week is what is killing it.  Twice a week would be heaps.

joseph says:

10:11am | 01/06/10

Do something productive with your afternoons than watch rubbish television and you’ll have no issues.

jimbo says:

10:12am | 01/06/10

The worst part is the product placement which is just getting out of hand…..
Sharnee dropping the salmon roe and Matt on his hands and knees with his Hande Andy kitchen roll mopping it up, followed in the next ad break with his celebrity endorsement ad….
give us a break

Louise says:

10:14am | 01/06/10

Pity it’s pre-recorded, what’s done is done….

BTS says:

10:23am | 01/06/10

The issue is with the Network.  The whole ‘big brother reality’ concept is old and people aren’t impressed by weak attempts at conflict nor fake tears every time someone melts butter.  People enjoyed the show more when it gave encouragement to the contestants and created a positive environment.  We already have the tales of woe and the ‘this is my dream’ routine, next we will have who’s coming out of the ‘cupboard’, which two chefs are meeting in the pantry to discuss the health benefits of garlic and before you know it, the Director of Neighbours is brought in for ‘consultation’.  Television, always ruining a great concept by ‘tweaking’ it.

DanR says:

10:28am | 01/06/10

I also agree. The crying, the background music and the silly theatrics all make me wonder if the show has Jumped the Shark. Another example of how someone can ruin a good thing.

Tegs says:

10:33am | 01/06/10

Matt I can handle. George’s constant bouncing up and down, slapping and punkching his own hand and leaving stupid pauses between words is whats ruining the show for me. Maybe Matt is trying to ham it up to stop George from looking so silly as the only one going over the top? Ridiculous. No-one actually talks like that all the time, and if he does I feel really sorry for the people who are around him on a daily basis. On the whole, I really like George. Just stop with the bouncing!

Matt you know who says:

10:36am | 01/06/10

Leave me alone you no bodies

T says:

10:44am | 01/06/10

He’s a food critic. Enough said. And it’s a reality show. Also, enough said. Everyone knows what to expect from both of these, so why complain? Change the channel and stop whinging.

Josephine says:

10:44am | 01/06/10

The show is boring…...... its absolutely over the top this year….....

FootyFan says:

10:58am | 01/06/10

I’ve changed.  I’m a passionate sports fan who had little time for cooking.  But over the last year or so, I’ve taken much more interest in cooking .. and the family is loving it!  Masterchef is largely responsible for this newfound interest and I’m very much enjoying the second series (perhaps even as much as the first one) ... it’s a top quality show that the whole family is enjoying.  And it’s not just me, the show is getting record numbers of Australian viewers.  So I know it’s not just me and the family that enjoy it ... it’s most Australians.

So I think it’s obvious that I’m a big fan, but I will agree that Matt Preston went over the top with the ‘disgustingly good’ comment along with the dropped plate.  That was just a plain silly stunt to do.  The show doesn’t need stunts, so don’t stoop to doing them.

That plate wasn’t the only thing that dropped that night ... so did Masterchef’s standards.  I hope that was a one-off incident / stunt and that we don’t see it again.  Otherwise some viewers may be inclined to turn off.  Putting this ‘one-off’ incident aside, I’m loving the second series and have already purchased the Masterchef two year magazine subscription.  Who would have thought a sports fanatic like me would do such a thing!

Over It Already says:

11:03am | 01/06/10

Can I suggest a new, gripping format called “What’s For Tea Love?”  Judges sit in front of a television for 45 minutes, whilst anonymous contestants are NOT filmed preparing their dishes.  As the end credits roll, contestants approach said judges, hand over plates and get told “Ta, can you change the channel while your up”.  Gripping, cutting-edge reality TV…....and about as stimulating as Master Chef.

Harquebus says:

11:04am | 01/06/10

You sure know how to waste your time Tory.

Loulou says:

11:04am | 01/06/10

Nicely put, Tory - I couldn’t agree more!  Except that it’s not just Matt to blame.  All this “how do you feel…”, and “how much do you want this” crap is starting to fray my nerves. 

No wonder the contestants are tearing up all the time, being asked to talk about how they would feel if their lifelong dream was smashed to smithereens whilst simultaneously cooking up a five star meal in 45 minutes under the watchful eye of their cooking idol… I’d be a snivelling mess too!

My advice:  Give it a rest - all of you!  Quit playing up the emotional side of things and let us enjoy their cooking challenges in peace.  We shouldn’t need Kleenex on hand in order to watch this show.  Tone it down and we’ll all keeping tuning in.

Dayton says:

11:05am | 01/06/10

He makes the show. George is the problem.

Brian says:

11:14am | 01/06/10

Not watching much after last year’s disgraceful choice of winner, but from the bits I have seen the judges seem very scripted and are playing up (or being told to play up) to their so called celebrity status and it all appears very fake. None of this is doing anything to restore the credibility lost last year.

zarbi says:

11:15am | 01/06/10

I enjoy Matt, it’s George and the crying I cannot stand.

Terry says:

11:18am | 01/06/10

The Show lost me after Julie Goodwin was announced the Winner of the last series.
It is a load of crock. 
Better shows to watch than Masterchef.
Cannot for the life of me understand why you are all making a big deal out of Matt Preston’s antics.  Only for that there is nothing left.

Pugilist says:

11:28am | 01/06/10

Gary seems to be the only one who hasn’t let their ego take over in this series. Preston is a grotesque gourmand while the other bloke is plain annoying, “Yeah”  ... Still watch it though.

CDK1 says:

11:32am | 01/06/10

I think Matt is a good guy. The behaviour the other night is a TV producer induced incident designed for ratings boost.
Seems everytime a show starts getting a bit tired they throw in an attention grabber, and it works.  It got a write up and lots of comments.

Beagle says:

11:32am | 01/06/10

What did you expect from the people that brought you big brother, australian Idol and all those other reality TV crap shows?
Their “stable” of self promoted talentless “entertainers” continues to bore the pants off any hapless Australian who tunes in.

Bon says:

11:32am | 01/06/10

I didn’t watch MasterChef last year, not one single episode, although I am glued to this years series.  In a way I am glad I didn’t see the first series because it means I have nothing to compare series 2 to, which means I can enjoy it for what it is. 

For the most part it is great, but that episode with Matt and the plate really soured that episode. I just sat there thinking WHY??  It was so obviously staged - Matt had probably been told by the producers to do something dramatic, and he obliged - and it just seemed so completely pointless.  The excuse of him not wanting the other contestants to taste the dish was lame and didn’t make any sense, seeing as Aaron won the challenge anyway and the recipe for his dish has already been put up on the website.

Bruiser Brody says:

11:39am | 01/06/10

Well unfortunately you are all wrong and obviously not avid fans, but what we in the industry commonly refer to as “Haters”...
I hadn’t even seen that clip, but as soon as i saw Matt’s furrow, look like he was going to vomit and then use disparaging terms = he loves it!!
People are fans of this show as the judges have to be the nicest bunch of positive reinforcers ever seen in reality tv - they rarely go for the jugular as they know they’re dealing with amatuers.
“Highlighting” the fact that Matt pulled a face whilst pullling shell out of his mouth simply means you have a personal issue with him, and you can now proudly feel a part of the Ralph-crew, who would blithely dismiss anyone using words with 3 or more sylablles or use alternative fashion as a reason for bigotry. The man takes the piss out of himself, he’s aware.. you’re too late and too petty!
If you don’t love: George eating like a monkey; Matt looking repulsed before he praises a dish; and horror of chefs forgetting to put cooked food on the final final plating dish - then go back to your classics - 2 1/2 Men, Big Bang Theory or like half the other champion commentors here who “don’t even watch the show” and feel obliged to tell us that

Jean says:

11:40am | 01/06/10

I really enjoy this show but Preston and his staged theatrics just insults viewers. I agree, Big Brother eat your heart out. K.I.S.S

nic says:

11:47am | 01/06/10

It was a planned stunt and is so unfair and disrespectful to the young chefs genuinely working their arses off. The only thing disgusting is the lack of respect. Poor, very poor.

Shane says:

11:52am | 01/06/10

If it wasn’t for Matt Preston’s aqua pants and plate smashing, nobody would even be talking about the show. They don’t deliver enough about actual cooking in an episode to make the show appeal to viewers of cooking shows and over-do it on the fake drama to reel in somone after a bit of light entertainment. I’ve been tuning in a few nights a week, but between the shameless advertising, the egos of the judges it’s been a pretty crappy experience for me, a first time viewer of the show. The only saving grace for it in the last few weeks was Rick Stein who appeared to be a very humble person, even prepared to help the contestants. All Matt Preston is, is a big fat over-eater, a typical ‘critic’, which in by itself, is a completely redundant career path as tastes are an individual preference. If Matt turns his nose up at a dish in a restaraunt, that doesn’t mean it’s bad, just not up to his snobbish requirements.

For me to keep watching, the show really needs to change its approach. Interact with the contestants more, show more actual cooking, give home viewers tips, cut the drama, cut the tears and it might become entertaining again.

Smarty Pants says:

12:06pm | 01/06/10

Excuse me - why was the dropping of the plate used in all the advertising leading up to the actual airing?  Because the producers think it will improve ratings!  I didnt watch the first series and havnt bothered with the second.  Hows that for smarts!

Ray says:

12:16pm | 01/06/10

Not sure which is worse the fat guys theatricals or his ridiculous dress sense.
Note to Preston - a thing can be disgusting or it can be good - it can’t be disgustingly good.

Girlie says:

12:19pm | 01/06/10

Totally Agree. that stunt on Sunday night (and lets face it that’s what it was-a premeditated stunt for good ad grabs) was appalling. it wasn’t funny it wasn’t nice it just wasn’t necessary. Poor Aaron looked like he had a heart attack!. It didn’t really make sense to do it after Gary had just said how much he loved the dish.. Kids throw their food on the floor cos they don’t what else to do with it Come on Matt, .. your a grown up act like one!!

Cat says:

12:25pm | 01/06/10

Matt Preston has really become quite the Prima Donna hasn’t he?
He’s good, but let’s face it, not that good - in the end we’ll vote with our remotes!  Why does it always happen that good press goes to their heads? You can see it - it’s start of the series decline ... shame

Mike Ryan says:

12:33pm | 01/06/10

I like Matt.
I enjoy the air of theatre he brings to the show. As far as the blubbing goes - agreed it’s a little disconcerting,  but I howled whan Fiona was booted off the show. Fortunately, I manned up and the rest of the contestants need to too!

Sue says:

12:39pm | 01/06/10

Are people still watching this? I was sucked into the first series because I thought it was genuinely about cooking. When it became obvious in the finals that it was all about a typical reality TV formula, ratings, and selling magazines I turned off. Is anyone really surprised now, that it’s scripted and with a pre-determined outcome?  “You can fool some of the people all the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all the time.”

Faza says:

12:41pm | 01/06/10

I was disappointed that Aaron (who has a bit of the pompous himself) didnt smash Matty in the face - before the ’ tee hee it was just a joke’.

Mick says:

12:53pm | 01/06/10

Don’t blame Matt, he was just looking for a reason to drop it so he pull out some more paper towels! Probably something in his agreement with Handy (or whichever brand it is).

Sam says:

01:04pm | 01/06/10

Note to Preston: think you may have overcooked it….

Totally agree with others that the show has lost its way this year and what used to be about building people up and supporting them has now become an editor’s dream as the guts of the show is left on the cutting room floor and we are left with nothing but tears. I was so devoted last year and I’m about ready to give it up.

Rafael says:

01:08pm | 01/06/10

Couldn’t agree with the author of the article more. I like masterchef for all the reasons I despise Kyle Sandilands and any show he’s on. People don’t like to see judges who act like tools. It’s about mentoring amateurs and getting them interested not scaring them.

Ricky is my name says:

01:12pm | 01/06/10

Oh leave poor Matt alone. He is only doing his job. I like his clothes though. And those snake skin shoes, which has probably worn a thousand times now. And pink trousers! Oh my gosh!

you are what you eat says:

01:17pm | 01/06/10

Looks to me as though Matt needs to be more critical of food in the REAL world .... if he was as picky as he pretends to be on masterchef he would not be as large as he is.  Time for him to start putting his antics to practice.

Kerry says:

01:21pm | 01/06/10

Matt Preston is cool. He is the reason I watch the show.

Jay says:

01:23pm | 01/06/10

The twat in the cravat is ruining Masterchef. The toady eye rolling whilst ‘savoring’ a mouthful turns my stomach. And I was quite fond of George until his precious attempt at a Caesar salad - FFS apple jelly? Puuurrrllleeeze… But I do have a crush on his Front of House manager - Angie, you rock!

Mark says:

01:23pm | 01/06/10

Reading this pathetic article has ‘ruined’ news.com.au for me. It is the last straw in an over-opinionated website, and I’m now switching to another portal to obtain some newsworthy news.

Kendy says:

01:24pm | 01/06/10

I completely agree with you Tory. I enjoyed Matt Preston’s volubility and eccentricities last year - because he could describe how he felt about a dish in a way that helped you experience it. He was genuinely pleased for someone when they cooked a great dish, and he was disappointed WITH them when they didn’t.

That whole dropping the dish thing reeked of contrivance. It was so forced and sensationalist, and just plain mean to the contestant.

Joel says:

01:35pm | 01/06/10

My TV went off channel 10 after that plate went down and my kids (11 and 7) were told they can no longer watch Masterchef. They agreed that behaviour is not an acceptable way to treat anyone, even for a joke. I sort of wish they had have seen after the add break but even as a joke is this behaviour l want my kids to see…no brainer.

loz says:

01:39pm | 01/06/10

Agree Tory, the reason the series is so successful is because of its positive and authentic formula. That stint was definitely a transgression of code. If It was from the Masterchef producers to spice up the show, it failed. Hopefully, this is a one off. Leave the spices and mess for the contestants.

Spanish Girl says:

03:10pm | 01/06/10

People at my work watch this show like it’s the answer to the meaning of life.  So I watched 10 mins of one show once just to see what all the fuss was about.  Some woman started crying and I just checked out.  Ever since, I just can’t bring myself to watch another second of this mindless drivel.

Kordez says:

03:17pm | 01/06/10

I’m not sure Matt Preston wear’s anything thin. I’m planning a send off for old mate Matt and there’ll be plenty of entertainment, pin the muzzle on Preston, over by the bonnie mash mellow taste testing and my favourite event a burning of the costumes.
Ten plays the ratings game better then most and I think Matt’s time will be short lived. Pompous or not, no male should be seen in pink jeans on national television.
Seriously Ten, what’s with casting grown men/women to cry over spilt milk?

LD says:

03:36pm | 01/06/10

Oh ... get over it. It’s a freakin’ TV show. If you don’t want theatrics, go watch SBS Weatherwatch.

Achmed says:

04:50pm | 01/06/10

The show is all staged.  Look at the plates of food when they call “Time is UP!  Stand Away From Your Benches!!” and then again when the food is presented.  The food presented isn’t the same they’ve obviously had time off camera to dress everything up.  Oh and by the way Matt is a w@nker!

brizzy_pete says:

05:22pm | 01/06/10

When is ‘Spooks” next series starting!!??.....i’m getting bored….................

sair says:

05:42pm | 01/06/10

the show may already be in the can but there’s still plenty of opportunity to re-edit it without the histrionics, weeping and “how much do you want it” grovel-fest. I like Matt but agree that he shouldn’t pull cruel stunts and throw dishes around (gives my kids ideas!).

Lorraine says:

06:07pm | 01/06/10

Throwing plates and shouting “disgusting” was the most appalling piece of acting…. bit like getting a mouthful od prawn intestine…. stick to food and cooking Matt…. you are not an actor. if you still think you can make it in the acting world try Australia’s got Talent and leave these budding cooks alone.

Ben G says:

06:16pm | 01/06/10

Manufactured drama on a reality TV series? I don’t believe it, and I won’t hear of it.

Simone Smith says:

06:17pm | 01/06/10

Matt is believing his own press releases now.. it was one of THE MOST over acted , carefully created , promo skewed and lets get people writing comments on daily newspaper sites , i have seen, it was fonzie jumping the shark…

Mat and Masterchef can do better than what was served up as he threw the plate….complete and utter drama.. point black it was embarassing to watch , i cringed as did many others i am sure….great that someone in media land has taken note and addressed it..

Shawn Kopel says:

06:30pm | 01/06/10

He was particularly cruel and all for a tv sound bite. I thought he was supposed to give the same sort of criticism as he would give to a restaurant? Pathetic conduct.

Oscar says:

07:26pm | 01/06/10

I gave up on that show when George was yelling at the contestants whilst re-opening his restaurant within earshot of the guests.  Who wants to eat to that?

MasterChef Fan says:

07:40pm | 01/06/10

Am I the only one that likes Matt Preston?  :(  I really can’t stand George though. 

I do agree the whole plate throwing thing was unnecessary.  Blame the producers though.  Everything is manipulated in order to get viewers; from the fake tears, to the sob stories, to the plate throwing.  Even the contestants are chosen because they’re likable (most of them).  And the entire show is edited so we think that each and every time everyone only just manages to finish and plate up.  Hell, even the celebrity challenges are rigged.  But that’s because it’s reality tv.  If you’re expecting something more from MasterChef, than you’ll be sorely disappointed, because though it sort of a cooking show, it is first and foremost a reality tv show.  So people really shouldn’t expect anything different than what we’ve already seen.

Malegaru says:

08:24pm | 01/06/10

I don’t watch MC….but I will now!!! That video was brilliant! I LOVE Matt….in the interviews I have seen/heard he totally takes the mickey out of his own pretentions! I had no idea MC could be this entertaining!!!!

Joey says:

10:04pm | 01/06/10

couldn’t agree more…..my partner and I were talking about this last night, Preston is ruining the show for us, his over dramatisation of small faults, staring into thin air, ridiculous comments….if it keeps up we’re giving up on it completely

MissT says:

10:29pm | 01/06/10

Why do people actually watch MasterChef Australia? I watch the original MasterChef - (UK edition) and I much prefer the format, though some might find it a little dry as there isn’t a product placement every 5 minutes. Oh and no gushing torrent of tears either.

Personally, if you have the means to have cable tv, watch the abundance of shows on the Food Channel and you will learn a whole lot more ways to cook, recipes and enjoy other food related reality tv shows as well (Restaurant In Our Living Room, Come Dine With Me, etc…)

Personally I vote no to Australian format shows ripping off original tv shows from overseas

Ballard Stevens says:

01:54am | 02/06/10

This stunt (plate throwing) could have had nothing to do with a slump in ratings - this series was recorded last September !. This was a cheap stunt and Preston should never have agreed to do it (and the producer that suggested it should be sacked). Why tamper with a format that works ... what’s that old saying :  “...if it aint broke…” ?

IT has lost me says:

07:25am | 02/06/10

The plate dropping has lost me too….

And I nearly choked the other night when George said - ozzing with sincerity - “All I ever wanted to be was a chef too”...

Then George WTF are you doing being a second rate TV presenter - supporting prima donna stunts that Matt Preston pulls?

This series is all about the celebrity judges - NOT the talented contestants.

I’m over it….

The only thing that would get me back is if ALL the contestants protested about the way they are treated and walked out - that’d screw their show….

Cindy says:

08:23am | 02/06/10

Mum was right. Television DOES rot the brain. When will people realise that there is no such thing as ‘reality television’? It’s all as fake as seafood extender. Stop gorging yourselves on tasteless tripe, turn the tv off and try cooking something wonderful in your own kitchen.

Nancy says:

09:06am | 02/06/10

I watched some episodes of Masterchef in the first season but havent watched it this season at all because there’s just so much drama. I am a real foodie but find the sight of Matt Preston and all the dramas really annoying.

Sierra Nita says:

09:24am | 02/06/10

Do you like food programs? the watch THE COOK AND THE CHEF on channel 2.
Another thing: how can you cook good food with crappy parmesan cheese like the one they are using?
Another thing: MC is not about food it’s a SHOW, and the judges are the prima ballerinas and the contestant are the clowns

Matthew says:

09:42am | 02/06/10

At first when reading all these comments i too must admit that i started to have some ill feelings towards Masterchef and Matt Preston, i mean with the off-air plate fixing, and contestants not really being your average at home cook i felt sure that this overly dramatic plate drop would be the icing on the cake.
However, after re-watching the video, and being somewhat of an “amateur”  cook myself, i started to see another side to this, i mean if the dish was as unique tasting as Matt deemed it be, i for one am not about to hand samples out to everyone else! new and fresh ideas in the cooking world are a rare commodity now not to mention potentially a HUGE money maker! if you look at the scene from that perspective it actually seems quite clever and really, at the end of the day, it’s clearly done it’s job judging from the massive response from disgruntled fan who as we all know will be in front of their tv’s watching the next episode!

Lisa says:

09:50am | 02/06/10

I cant stand any of the judges .. especially George.. who is he trying to be with his hand gestures and talking it up like that.. the only person I think of every time he does it is Gordon Ramsey, and George you are not him.

As for the dramatics in the show and all the crying, pathetic and boring the show will never be good.

As for the ratings.. like someone else has mentioned the show is pre taped and aired later so ratings would have nothing to do with his lame arse stunt.

G-Moe says:

10:11am | 02/06/10

Sometimes when I cook… I weep…

Fail.

George “I need to be the most intense person on tv” Calamarvis (check spelling) is the most annoying idiot on the box for a while now.  It seems that Ready Steady Cook’s half an hour was the perfect amount of time to showcase this guy as a one-hour show just seems to invoke “little man syndrome”.

Kim says:

11:05am | 02/06/10

Apologies if this has already been said but….
I think you will find that the producers (using all the personal information they have about the contestants) pose a series of questions to them in order to ‘break them down’ emotionally, causing people who might normally be quite controlled to become blubbering fools ... for our entertainment!

Damien says:

11:13am | 02/06/10

George Calombaris is the wesakest link, with Preston not far behind.  Calombaris overemphasises everything with false enthusiasm.  The show is barely tolerable this year because the judges have tried to steal too much of the spotlight from the food and the contestants. 

Great last year, embarrassing this year.

Buttercup Babe says:

11:34am | 02/06/10

I have only watched this show once and that was enough!!! Masterchef UK is 10 times better and more professional then this junk. it’s just another reality TV show…

Nick says:

12:54pm | 02/06/10

I really like to see Matt Preston cook for a change and let the contestants taste and comment on it. You know the saying “Those who can do; those who can’t become critics!”

P M says:

01:13pm | 02/06/10

My four and a half year old daughter loves masterchef like nothing else, but she didnt like the plate throwing either and in fact i think it made her a little scared
They need to keep in mind that kids are a big part of the audience and dont want to have them scared by people or antics on the show

sean says:

01:15pm | 02/06/10

Its a pity theres not so much debate about the real problems facing the planet,like refugees or global warming or even Tony Abbott get a life people its only a reality TV show.

Rammo says:

02:01pm | 02/06/10

Don’t care what anyone else thinks, my 10 year old kids loved it!

They definitely love the theatrics. Remember this is a winning recipe across lots of demographic groups.

Tory, you may be right, but then again….....

Maybe not.

Lulu says:

02:05pm | 02/06/10

What I want to know is how amature cooks know all of the who’s who in Australian and Global cuisine? I am an avid recipe book buyer, home cook and over all foodie and while I can drop a few names in conversation when trying to impress friends who are over for dinner, (“Oh that, something I threw together from Donna Hays latest book”) this group of contestants seem to know anyone who is anyone and to be honest, it seems a little bit rehearsed and not at all what I would expect from an amature cook.

TDJ says:

02:26pm | 02/06/10

While people continue to show interest in this infantile behaviour it will keep happening. The viewer needs to wake up and lift their expectations.