Reality TV generally goes hand and hand with drama, but some fans of The Block have stopped watching the current season due to the extreme levels of “toxic behaviour”.
So far this series, we’ve had a cheating scandal, backstabbing and severe hangovers. The dramas have largely outshone what the show is fundamentally about; home renovation.
Nine’s Head of Content, Production and Development, Adrian Swift even teased that The Block 2023 would have more drama than the controversial reality dating show MAFS.
“The MAFS dinner parties are nothing compared to this season of The Block,” he said at the launch of the series’ 19th season.
“It’s not like Lego Masters because none of their judges cry. And it’s not like 60 Minutes because it never runs to time. But, this season is very much like MAFS. You’ll see what these crazy kids get up to,” he added.
What are fans saying about the ‘toxic behaviour’ on The Block?
A thread on The Block sub-Reddit has been littered with comments by fans saying that they’ve decided to stop watching this year’s season because of the scandals that have been playing out episode after episode.
“They’ve taken it too far with the MAFS-style drama. I’m SO SICK of full-grown adult bullies being given a platform and rewarded for being nasty!” One person wrote.
“Channel 9 deliberately cast these types of people every season, so any positive and uplifting stuff is heavily overshadowed by nasty asses desperate to play up the villain edit for more air time.”
Another person commented, “Bitchiness and toxicity is next level this season… I need to shower after each episode … And it’s not because of the moss!”
“I’ve given up watching the weekday episodes and only watch the reveals. The weekday episodes are just so much b***hing and moaning, backstabbing, and confrontations. Not a fan,” a third penned.
Another user stated that they’ve completely boycotted The Block because of the scandals.
“Honestly decided today to stop watching this season, only seeing online the articles with pictures of the revealed rooms. Leah is wild to me, have cut people from my life toxic like that, no need to see the same behaviors on a tv show.”
However, while many people aren’t loving the cattiness of this year’s The Block, there’s some who are living for the drama.
“F*****g looooove this drama. Less furnishing, more fighting plz,” a user tweeted.
The Block airs on Sunday at 7:00 p.m. and continues on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. on Channel 9 and 9Now.
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