Reality-TV ‘fatigue’: Can celebs, new rules and twists keep viewers coming back?


holding shot Photo: Seven
Just when we thought we’d had a break from the ratings juggernaut that was Masterchef Australia and its emotional finale mid-July, the networks are gearing up for round two.
Yes, we’ve had a nice few weeks watching Test cricket, the Women’s World Cup, the British Open, a bit of rugby (both types), Wimbledon and, of course, the ongoing attraction of the high-stakes AFL and NRL competitions .
But back to real reality television now upon us for the next three months: The all-important singing competition, The Voice (Seven), is going head-to-head with Nine’s enduring renovation show, The Block in the crucial Sunday night 7.30pm time slot.
On the same night, Ten has no fresh offering as it continues rolling out the final episodes of its hide-and-seek game, Hunted, the ABC is in the final leg of its Restoration Australia series, and SBS has a documentary, Colosseum.
In coming weeks, Ten is making up for it with another season of The Masked Singer, The Amazing Race Australia: Celebrity Edition and Dessert Masters (starring Melissa Leong).
So, are we ready for competition from ordinary Aussies wanting a crack at something new, for singers to show their real talents or for a bunch of celebrities, TV hosts, a Wiggle and a former rockstar to race around the world for charity?
Or do we have reality TV fatigue?
“For sure,” says TV expert Steve Molk, from TVBlackbox.com.au
“The Block and The Voice will do OK but not as well as they have, simply because they are existing formats and have audiences … though we’re all tired.
“They’ll have to bring something new to secure our interest, andThe Block is promising more drama than MAFS [Married at First Sight]…but this might not be what The Block audience wants.
“We are intrigued, but I think we’ve almost heard all the reality contestants’ stories before,” Mr Molk told The New Daily.

The Block contestants, here wearing 2023 fashion, appeared in a series of promotional ads ahead of the show in funny 1950s outfits. Photo: Nine
The Block: Nine, August 6, 7pm
After weeks of daily TV promotions showcasing The Block‘s five sets of new contestants, the $14 million worth of 1950s un-renovated houses in Charming Street in Hampton East and the return of long-time co-hosts and the same judging panel, the 19th season of Australia’s “richest reality program” has arrived.
There’s a major production tweak to keep audiences engaged this year,
with contestants given a full renovation schedule, designs and their entire budgets up front.
The contestants – there were tens of thousands of applications, according to the show’s creators – will see all finished designs of the houses on the first day, and during an initial challenge, compete to choose which of the five original brick homes they’ll partially demolish.
Real estate agent Marty Fox isn’t the only new addition to the lineup as so-called “fan favourite” from last year, Tom Calleja [his wife was Sarah Jane and they walked away with a mere $20,000 for three months work] will come on board as the show’s plumber.
Co-creator Julian Cress told Mediaweek on July 25 that audiences will relate to the houses this year, with some of them still containing “nana’s furniture”.
“The houses are exactly like what some of the viewers would have had when they first bought a house and renovated it. Others will think it’s just what they would love to do.
“Or some who are just happy to sit back and watch a bunch of people argue about it for 12 weeks” [Laughs]
Either way, he’s promising “human drama”: “The headline for this series is ‘human drama’, something we always set out to produce”
“What we landed on this year were five couples who have an incredible amount of competitive energy and spirit they brought to the series.
“Viewers will see a lot of personality politics come into play. There were friendships that were made and then broken. It really was a rollercoaster of emotion from beginning to end.”

Ezra Williams in the blind auditions. Photo: Seven
The Voice: Seven, August 6, 7pm
You thought last year was good?
According to the four judges – Jason Derulo, Rita Ora, Guy Sebastian and Jessica Mauboy – this year is going to be “incredible”.
“I have been absolutely blown away by the talent here. My jaw was to the floor with the talent of some of The Voice artists,” Derulo said.
“You thought last year was incredible, this year is magnificent.” adds Mauboy
Last year’s winning coach, Ora was floored by the calibre of artists “who aren’t afraid to push their boundaries and experiment”.
Guy agreed: “This would be the best overall talent we have ever had.”
The Masked Singer Australia: Ten
Remember Rooster, Mirror Ball and Snapdragon?
Underneath those bizarre costumes were real people, and we all had to guess who they were, including the four judges coming back for a fifth season (Ten have yet to confirm a broadcast date).
Gold Logie Nominee Osher Günsberg will be back on hosting duties with Abbie Chatfield, Mel B and Chrissie Swan joining Dave Hughes for the fifth season.
“It’s back … and it’s so good,” wrote Swan.
Chatfield agreed, saying she couldn’t wait for all the “silly backstage antics” as the show spruiked on social media on June 19 for people to register to be part of a live studio audience at Disney Studios in Moore Park.
What to expect?
Actress Pia Miranda, swimmer and singer Cody Simpson and former Masterchef and ABC radio host Matt Preston donned masks and big costumes in previous seasons, so they can’t come back.
Names in the ring include former AFL player turned radio host Brendan Fevola and former Georgie Shore star Charlotte Crosby.

The 11 Amazing Race couples are racing to win $100,000 for their chosen charity. Photo: Ten
The Amazing Race Australia: Celebrity Edition: Ten
The appeal, no doubt, is Ten’s decision to shake up the format and go with the celebrity factor for this season.
There’s husband and wife duo Grant and Chezzi Denyer, Australian Commonwealth Gold Medallist and former Olympic athlete Jana Pittman and her son Cornelis, and model and social media influencer Rebecca (Bec) Judd with her sister Kate.
The sisters will be competing on behalf of Impatient Advocacy – A Nicole Cooper Foundation: “We are racing in memory of our dear friend Nicole Cooper, who lost her battle with bowel cancer in January this year,” Kate told Channel 10 on June 10.
Former Wiggle Emma Watkins and sister Hayley, ex-Silverchair drummer Ben Gillies and his television personality wife Jackie Gillies (they’ve already been on Real Housewives of Melbourne) and actor Darren McMullen and nephew Tristan round out the players.
“If there’s any kind of eating weird foods, he’s going to be doing that,” says McMullen, whose charity is Feel The Magic, which supports grieving children and families.
“If there’s anything that requires a lot of fitness and exertion, he’s going to be doing that. I’ll just be here for the brains,” marie claire reported.
The Traitors: Ten
Hosted by Roger Corser, this show is set up inside an old hotel where a “game of deception, suspicion, and betrayal in which the stakes will get higher and higher” will be played, according to the network.
There are 20 players, also known as Faithfuls, and Corser puts them “through dramatic and challenging missions to win silver bars for their prize pot”.