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House Rules viewers raise questions about intimidation towards women

Was it just a "death stare" or something more? Either way many viewers were uncomfortable.

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Was it a “Death Stare” last night or did it indicate something that should have been left on the House Rules editing floor?

Either way many viewers were uncomfortable with the look Victorian chippie Leigh delivered after rival contestant Michelle said she hoped they could work together on the next renovation.

On social media some described it as uncomfortable, toxic and intimidating. Others criticised Seven for highlighting the moment, with some even suggesting the crew should have stepped in.

uncomfortable with Leigh’s intimidation tactics, even more so that they chose to not only air it but highlight it #HouseRules

#houserules what was that stare from Leigh??!!! That was the most uncomfortable moment on TV I’ve had the displeasure of sitting through in a long time…. what a disgrace.

I’m concerned for Kristie’s safety #HouseRules Lee has shocking attitudes to women

Maybe the producers of #HouseRules shouldn’t be promoting #ViolenceAgainstWomen as it did last night with that intimidating/aggressive staredown Leigh gave Michelle. #SetAnExample #domesticviolence

I’m just going to put this out there,Leigh,with that death stare towards the girls signifies his potential to be a disrespectful male towards women and god know what he’s temper could do to a woman,after this week of sorrow,it’s hard to watch

Toad is a real man, a gentleman, a good bloke. Leigh is an overgrown angry kid. Leigh is an example of toxic masculinity. And Kristy is both victim and enabler, she should wake up. I hope Leigh is out of the competition soon. #HouseRules

Was anyone else pissed at Leigh’s intimidating stare down at Michele & Kim last night?? What a wannabe tough guy, he just looked like the biggest loser & glad Michele didn’t back down!! ?? #HouseRules

#HouseRules with all that the country is upset about with violence toward women you guys go and show yourselves allowing a meathead guy intimidate women…bravo house rules…

@HouseRulesOn7 not sure what’s worse. The fact that you guys let Leigh intimidate and basically threaten Michelle OR that NONE of the other contestants on the show stepped in and told him to pull his head in. Shame on you all! #HouseRules

Seven did not respond to enquiries.

11 Responses

  1. Editing aside, Leigh has shown that he thinks he’s the most blokey bloke. He is portraying himself as an overly aggressive person – saying how he would have knocked Dave out; a threat corroborated by his wife – who he then goes on to swear at, and this stare… a pure intimidation tactic as he held himself back from verbally bashing Michelle – which he confirms later to camera. Sure, 7 re-played the stare several times – and it’s possible that they edited it to be longer than it really was – but he undeniably has aggressive and abusive (potentially violent) undertones which he is not afraid to express.

  2. Absolutely pathetic and irresponsible to start accusing someone of “violence towards women” and “domestic violence” on the basis of a stare. Yes, Leigh may have been a jerk towards Kim and Michelle all week but nothing more than that.

    Also completely sexist to paint Kim and Michelle as victims of anything more than tactical gameplay.

  3. I’m a little unsure that the controversy is warranted. Compared to the Love Island yelling match the other night, this is rather tame.

    We all have emotion and if all it is was a death stare, surely that’s acceptable in the context of a reality tv show. We’ve seen much worse before.

    I understand the climate has changed somewhat given recent events. But it’s important to not overreact.

  4. You’d think Leigh and Kristy would’ve been somewhat humbled a bit after their house was completed, looked amazing and doubled in value. Nope! Complete sense of importance, arrogance and “why us” attitude. Hope they get the boot before the backyard makeovers happen.

  5. Leigh was the contestant, who in earlier episodes, was so angry with another contestant he thought swore at his wife, but had no problem in the next episode saying the following to his wife.

    “You need to use your brain a little bit and think”
    “All I keep f***ing hearing from you is relax”
    “Stop f***ing talking to me like this”
    “You’re making a d***head of yourself the way you’re carrying on,”

    He obviously has no respect for his wife so what respect do you think he has for any of the other female contestants. Must be the same producers as MKR trying to find abusive contestants for better ratings.

  6. Leigh and Kristy are naughty. Just watch tonight episode and there are reasons other teams helping Kim and Michele. Do good , good Karma or vice versa.

  7. I’m a regular viewer of House Rules, but I do think the editing of these type of shows can be very manipulative. In this case there was clearly some tension between the two teams, but I think it is possible the editing makes the situation look worse than what it was. Then again, maybe even worse footage was edited out. Either way, it was uncomfortable viewing.

  8. This is the first season of House Rules that I have watched only for a few minutes while channel surfing. But last night’s reno was so hideous I had to keep watching. However that stare scene at the end was sickening. The producer sure has a tin ear about what is happening in society today.

  11. I don’t watch House Rules but did see this incident as I waited for the next programme to come on. I thought “What the heck is this? Why isn’t the host telling him to back off?” The “death stare” was truly horrible. They guy looked like he was going to explode. Not appropriate on television or society in general.

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