By DANNY BUTTLER
Masterchef
Channel Ten
Sunday to Friday 7.30pm
MASTERCHEF has been back on our screens for a while now, and it’s interesting to see how the show stacks up to the other reality monsters that seem to dominate the free-to-air channels.
One of the earlier original reality TV success stories on Australian TV, Masterchef has been a consistent (and rare) ratings winner for the beleaguered Channel Ten.
What sets it apart from its cousins in House Rules, I’m a Celebrity and MKR is that contestants aren’t encouraged to feud and fight with each other.
While they compete to win, it seems like they are actually encouraged to at least appear like they are supportive and friendly.
I watched this series because I know one of the contestants who was recently eliminated.
It was fascinating to watch someone closely as they went through the wringer of being judged on national television.
At one point, the “celebrity“ chef Marco quizzed her about how hard it must be to be so long away from her children. Tears ensued and you were left with the feeling that was the whole point of the question.
But more than most reality shows, Masterchef is about cooking and less about personality.
The food looks great – if a little out of the reach of most of us – and the judging seems hard but fair.
The secret ingredient of Masterchef is keeping it as real as a highly produced reality show can be.
Rather than concoct artificial rivalries and film-staged arguments, the producers tilt the balance more towards the actual contest in the kitchen.
It’s a recipe that has worked for a long time and shows little sign of flagging.
– Danny Buttler
