‘The strength of the Masterchef franchise is greater than any judge’: Can Masterchef survive losing its stars?
Earlier this week, Masterchef lost its three long-term hosts, Gary Mehigan, Matt Preston and George Calombaris, over what they and Ten called an inability to agree to contract terms. Since then, there has been a lot of speculation that the franchise can’t survive. Mumbrella’s Hannah Blackiston looks at whether that’s really the case.
I and several media colleagues had similar reactions when it was announced earlier this week, on the day of the grand final no less, that Ten’s Masterchef would be losing its three hosts. Gary Mehigan, Matt Preston and George Calombaris have been with the show since its inception 11 seasons ago. To die-hard fans, the trio feels like an integral part of the show’s makeup, and it was with shock that I read the announcement of their departure.
Since then, there’s been a lot of commentary about whether the franchise stands a chance with new faces at the helm. Ten obviously believes it does, saying in the initial statement that it would be back for another season in 2020. But while it feels like this loss is a shocking one, Masterchef isn’t the first franchise to lose its hosts.
Top Gear
The obvious example is Top Gear. The British TV show, launched in 2002 as a revamp of a 1977 format, was hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May from season two to season 22 (May replaced season one host Jason Dawe).
Unless there is a whole new format direction to relaunch the franchise behind the new hosting line up I think it’s toast past 2020. It needs to be different, not just visually but content wise as well. This will allow a new team to make it their own and move forward (Masterchef 2.0) and remove any comparison to the previous generation.
In losing George and Garry the show could have overcome the barriers, but losing Preston is a death knell in its current format.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see a comedic role introduced in the presenters, much like ‘Bake Off’, or a two presenter team with continual food and non-food guest judges making up the third wheel for variety.
Waiting on Ten to produce a Masterchef formatted show to choose the next Masterchef hosts. Mastermasterchefhost. I’d watch that.
Hi I’ve been watching master chef for 10 years now and I wish I could visit…! Love to George I will miss you and you to cheeky monkeys. Pease
The Top Gear comparison is relevant to a point. I’d argue that Clarkson’s personality was a more important factor than the format, whereas the Masterchef format is what enabled GG&M to become household names. Also, Top Gear probably couldn’t have chosen as badly as they did when they replaced the trio.
Dream team judges that could make MasterChef survive.
1. Heston Blumenthal (as if they could afford him)
2. Curtis Stone (they would need to buy out his rights from Ch7 too.)
3. Mark Best (Matt Preston’s counterpoint)
Judges they will probably choose instead.
1. Poh
2. That guy who founded Three Blue Ducks. Ex contestant himself and now a hatted chef. Bad sign I don’t even know his name though.
2. Like probs Anna Polyviu or Matt Moran. Is Family Food Fight still a thing?
Solid analysis.
Poh and Adam Liaw would definitely get a guernsey….and that Billie chick would as well.
Note: there is no chance in hell Curtis would leave his LA empire to concentrate on a local show.