‘We’re not watching for the judges right now:’ MasterChef: Back To Win to focus on the contestants and guest stars instead of new judging panel
MasterChef: Back to Win premiered on Channel 10 on Monday Night.
And it looks like the network are going about their best efforts to protect the show’s new lineup of judges, Andy Allen, Jock Zonfrillo and Melissa Leong.
According to TV Blackbox editor Rob McKnight, show runners ‘are not relying on the new judges’ to win audiences over.
New mood: MasterChef: Back To Win to focus on the contestants and guest stars instead of the new judges, it was reported on Monday. Pictured: New judges (L-R) Jock Zonfrillo, Melissa Leong and Andy Allen
‘They’ve been very smart in building the show around fantastic contestants and guest judges,’ Rob told The Daily Telegraph on Monday.
Rob added Channel 10 are choosing to focus on the contestant and celebrity guest stars.
He continued: ‘We’re not watching for the judges right now, but if the judges impress then people will tune in next year.’
Changes: ‘We’re not watching for the judges right now, but if the judges impress then people will tune in next year,’ TV Blackbox founder Rob McNight told The Daily Telegraph
‘It’s the kind of stunt you pull out when you need to protect your brand,’ he concluded.
Leading up to the Monday night’s premiere, Channel 10 had been promoting celebrity guest Gordon Ramsay, and heavily featuring each of the returning chefs.
The show’s long-running hosts Gary Mehigan, Matt Preston and George Calombaris quit the show last year.
Love them! On Monday, fans praised the new hosts of MasterChef: Back To Win, calling them a ‘breath of fresh air’
Gone: MasterChef’s long-running hosts Gary Mehigan, Matt Preston and George Calombaris, left the show last year. Pictured from left to right: Gary, Matt and George
But it looks like the newcomers have anything to be worried about. It was clear on on Monday night that fans were very happy with the new judges.
Many took to their social media accounts to to sing the praises of the new team, calling them a ‘breath of fresh air’.
One fan Tweeted: ‘Love love love the new judges! Such a breath of fresh air, and finally a female judge!’
On Monday night, former MasterChef winner Poh Ling Yeow returned to the series alongside 23 other contestants from past seasons of the show in a bid to win a cash prize of $250,000.
Back! Former MasterChef winner Poh Ling Yeow (pictured) returned to the series alongside 23 other contestants from past seasons of the show in a bid to win a cash prize of $250,000