Matt Preston floats format tweaks

“We’ve been pleasantly surprised by their knowledge and skill; three or four could have made it into the original show’s top 20 due to their kitchen smarts,” Matt Preston writes in today’s Age.

In discussing tomorrow’s premiere of Celebrity MasterChef, Preston also notes that each episode with 3 celebs is filmed over 2 days.

“Premier Bligh acquitted herself well, proving she’s not a bad cook and justifying her decision to take two days’ leave to do the show, with the aim of promoting Queensland produce.”

Preston, also looks forward to the second season, and notes, “Transparency is vital to the credibility of the show – and to making it as fair as possible.”

Rather unfortunate timing given the criticism levelled at the show’s fairness yesterday.

But he also floats ideas for change.

“It needs to be clear to the viewer why a contestant has been eliminated. With this in mind, I have things I’d like to see enacted, which may or may not be accepted. While I don’t mind second chances, I feel that anyone returning to the competition must do so by earning it – perhaps a repechage final or a challenge.

“I am also not a fan of contestants voting each other off after an offsite challenge as this is contrary to the central concept that it’s all about the cooking. I think taste tests are a fairer way to decide who goes home.”

As it turns out, the contestants who were fast-forwarded to the final week were at a disadvantage anyway, of not having the same amount of audience support.

Source: The Age