MasterChef Australia

Masterchef AU used to be a joy to watch for 10 years , i was looking forward to it every year, then came 2020 and the new judges.

While it was a smart move to make their first Run an All-Star run , it couldn't overcome the shortcomings of the new judges for me. And while i warmed to Melissa somewhat during the all star seasons, Andy and Jock seemed so fake and disingenuous throughout , they shouldn't ever have been cast as a replacement.

With the start of a new "normal" (new Contestants) season in 2021 now and the ratings dropping like never before, it seems a lot of people saw it the same way and just watched last seasons for the Contestants they already knew and liked.

Sadly this went from a 10 star show to a 3 star show for me with the swapping of the judges and the bad replacements they choose.

Masterchef is a reality TV show. It is named after a British TV cookery competition.

The cast is made up of cooking enthusiasts who take part in a series of cooking challenges and face eliminations.

At the end of the season, one person is awarded the main prize.

The bulk of the show is devoted to the cast talking to camera about how they felt during the challenges and also to the hosts talking about what they thought of the performances in the challenges. In many of the episodes the hosts taste the food and give feedback or a score. Many parts of the cooking processes are also shown.

This show became a huge "watercooler" hit within Australia because of a universal interest in food and because, with the minimal swearing and absence of violence or nudity, this was perfect family viewing. Another appealing aspect was the decision to portray the contestants as co-operative rather than cut-throat as in previous reality TV.

The watchability of this show lies in the casting of appealing people; the fact that they seem to be decent makes you care what happens to them and want to return to them. The continual recaps and repetitions of footage in this show mean that it is highly watchable at the busy time of evening that it is shown.

I've watched MC Aus since it's 2nd season and have been consistently impressed by it's contestants 'reflection' of the Australian "hail fellow well met" and "good on ya" philosophy... in STARK contrast to the American MC experience of 'hyper-competitiveness' and 'damning with faint praise' The OZ judges are critical YES but not at the expense of compassion and decency ... the US judging is as if the judges want to 'let you know' just how 'sophisticated' their palate is. (although that timbre of the US shows Chef's HAS thankfully mellowed) the reason I'm writing this review is for anyone whose interest may be piqued, or questions if there is a difference ... MOST Definitely there is and I believe it gives you a VERY poignant look at the comparative psyche of American VS Australian and as an American it gives me pause as to whether we Americans couldn't learn a VERY GOOD lesson on how to pull together and care for one another and still be competitive and strive for individuality...

Maybe the Aussies are a bit TOO congenial but the backbiting and negativity of the Americans almost makes me feel like Lombardi's quote "that the only good loser is a loser" takes competition to a level that tends to steal away a warmth, civility and admiration for your opponent that endears the Aussie MC with a 'Feel Good' feeling that you don't get from the US version ....

maybe the tears sometimes seem more 'crocodile' in OZ but at least they don't sting and feel piteous like they do in the US version.

sometimes I want to like the winner AND the loser and not just glory and stomp with the winners.

a 'Bit of a rant' I'm sure but if you're at all interested in the philosophical differences between the US and Australia ... this MC cooking show may be more revelatory than you can imagine

I have had fun, finally, watching a version of Masterchef where the contestants are kind to each other and support each other. They behave in a professional manner while having fun-no pop tarts in 6 inch heels; no back stabbing; and, for me, no crude and coarse language. It's easy to watch and enjoy. The judges seem to have a kindness that comes out in so many ways. It may just be the best food competition reality show out there.

I watched both the US version and the UK version and became disgusted. The language, the attitudes shown by the judges (and, often, the contestants) from each series turned me off so quickly that I gave up. I just happened to stumble across Masterchef Australia and I have, now, streamed all of the seasons (currently in the middle of the latest one) and it continues to be fun. One quickly comes to know each of the contestants and it is sad when one goes home.

I have recommended this show to others and do the same here. Go; watch; and enjoy the only reality show that I watch.

MasterChef Australia is cool as ice. The judges aren't a sorry bunch of tyrannical, boorish, acerbic and foul-mouthed yahoos but a suave, openhearted and almost selfless as they unreservedly share their own experiences, imparting their veteran knowledge to the amateur contestants and most importantly, ready to give show much of their precious time to these cooks. 76 episodes may have been an ordeal if the show were the slightly supercilious Top Chef or the vulgar Hell's Kitchen.

To watch MasterChef Australia is to relieve oneself from tension, stress or flaring temper. The show manages to inject a sense of satiation amongst its participants, irrespective of their fate on the show. Gary, George and Matt are probably some of the kindest and most endearing personalities in all the reality shows I have seen. There is not hint of chicanery in them like in other shows where judges often dramatize or feign certain reactions in order to generate appeal.

The contestants are a kracker-jack of genuine people who treat their co-contestants as friends and not like competitors or animals (Watch Hell's Kitchen). Here we see adults, who may be zany but also are hold a level of maturity and discretion that is scarcely seen anywhere nowadays.

The format is quite simple but there the dozens of second-chances given and the scintillating cookery skills of the judges showcased during the show really winnowed the contestants and made them better cooks. MasterChef US, on the other hand, is turgid, cynical and chiched.

The dishes are diverse, impactive and authentic. The magnificent amalgam of cultures is very respectfully blended. Indian, French, Spanish, etc dishes are all given their share of respect on the show.

MasterChef Australia is simply a lip-smackingly entertaining program that follows the motto: "Don't Worry, Be Happy"