Awkward moment Today host Leila McKinnon says Married At First Sight producers aren’t ‘clever enough’ to fake storylines – leaving Karl Stefanovic scrambling to defend the network’s most popular show
Married At First Sight’s producers have long been accused of manufacturing drama and faking storylines tor boost ratings.
But on Tuesday, fill-in Today host Leila McKinnon left her co-anchor Karl Stefanovic cringing as she rubbished claims the Channel Nine dating show is staged.
While interviewing ‘bride’ Beck Zemek, the 48-year-old said the show isn’t scripted because producers aren’t ‘smart enough’ to fabricate a storyline or use hired actors.
That’s awkward! Fill-in Today host Leila McKinnon (right) left her co-anchor Karl Stefanovic (left) cringing on Tuesday as she rubbished claims Married At First Sight is staged
‘A lot of people say to me it’s all set up and Bryce [Ruthven] is a plant and that it’s all scripted and everything is manipulated,’ she said.
‘But I know that they’re not really that clever at the show and they are not that organised. They just watch it unfold themselves.’
Karl was shocked by Leila’s gaffe – which insinuated the people behind Nine’s most popular show aren’t smart – and covered his face with a pillow.
He then pointed out: ‘I know upstairs really love the show and there are very smart people who work on it and also it’s Nine’s highest rating program.’
‘They’re not really that clever’: While interviewing ‘bride’ Beck Zemek, Leila said the show isn’t scripted because producers aren’t ‘smart enough’ to fabricate a storyline or use hired actors
Leila, who began her career with Nine back in 1995, is married to former Nine boss David Gyngell so it unlikely she will face any consequences for her gaffe.
It comes after New Idea magazine alleged the experts on Married At First Sight are ‘essentially producers’ puppets and have to act out scenes, occasionally wear earpieces and do as they’re told’.
Last month, Beck Zemek also claimed most viewers don’t think MAFS is ‘real’.
That’s unexpected! Karl was shocked by Leila’s gaffe – which insinuated the people behind Nine’s most popular show aren’t smart – and covered his face with a pillow
‘It’s hard to watch back. I think there is a lot of people out there that think this is a documentary rather than a TV show,’ the business manager, 27, said.
Beck went on to say it’s important for the participants to reflect on their behaviour and ‘grow from it’.
‘However if you’re not going to take it with a pinch of salt and reflect on things then you are not really going to grow from it.’
She continued: ‘Watching back I think you can only reflect on what did happen and go from that.’
Claims: It comes after a New Idea magazine insider alleged that the experts are ‘essentially producers’ puppets and have to act out scenes, occasionally wear earpieces and do as they’re told’