The Block promises ‘the biggest cheating scandal in TV history’ this week, but viewers already have a problem with how the season has played out.
The Block viewers have had enough of one team getting off scot-free after multiple apparent instances of cheating.
Aside from being embroiled in ‘the biggest cheating scandal in TV history’ set to play out this week, former Love Island stars Luke and Josh have broken three major rules in as many weeks without any consequences – even, to the frustration of viewers, winning master bedroom week on Sunday.
In the same episode, the two were accused of having access to the show’s schedule ahead of time in a series-first for the show.
But it’s just one in a series of rules the boys have bent — and seemingly the only one judges have cared about.
During episode one, Luke and Josh unapologetically broke the show’s “golden rule” by using their tradies to paint.
As Scott Cam pointed out during the episode, rule number one in the “Block Bible” is that contestants must do their own painting.
Fellow contestant Kirsty had pointed this out to the boys, but they were reluctant to cease.
“I guess Keith and Dan would come along and tell you that if they were here,” Kirsty was seen telling the boys, to which Luke hit back: “Well they’re not here, maybe you should go and get your trades to help you paint while they’re not here.”
Fuming, he added to the camera: “There’s dibber dobbers and there’s others who look the other way … but obviously they’re competitive and they want to win. That’s the way she wants to play it, we’ll remember it and that’s fine.”
Viewers were quick to call them out on social media, pointing out that any regular Block fan would be aware of the rule.
In week two, they sparked outrage again after leaving the site for an all-nighter, later explaining they merely spent the night in a hotel after a few drinks at the pub because their basement was flooded.
But an on-site breath test told a different story — with the twins ordered to sleep off their hangover until they sobered up.
As foremans Dan and Keith pointed out during the episode, sneaking off to stay in a hotel (breaking another of the Block’s big rules, according to Scott Cam)— instantly put them at an unfair advantage against the rest of the contestants, roughing it in tents on a construction site.
But the twins scored no penalty and finished the week in a close second place, with nothing but some playful scolding from host Scott Cam.
Strike three was on Sunday’s episode, which saw contestants stunned to discover Luke had enlisted the help of his fiance to style their master bedroom after being slammed for their “atrocious” efforts the week prior.
While Luke was asked several times how much help they had in setting up the room, he insisted his fiance had no say in the final product.
But when it came to the room reveal, his assurance was hard to believe by comparison to last week’s bathroom styling.
Compare the pair:
The feminine touch clearly helped, with the brothers scooping up the win for week three, gaining praise for their walk-in robe design and the risky move of building on the designated garage space despite objection from The Block’s architect.
On social media, viewers weren’t having a bar of it.
“So hang on.. you can break 2 rules in one week, yet no punishment/repercussions? Right …,” one baffled viewer said.
“They have let them get away with 3 cheats now …,” another asserted.
One wrote: “Why do the twins even show up at all? Its clear they’re allowed to break whatever rules they want, so why not just contract metricon homes or something to do it all for them & only show up for room reveal night?”
While another said they were ‘gobsmacked’.
“What I just am gobsmacked by is how many things those twins have cheated on and yet never been punished for?? Keith Dan and Scotty don’t even care. Why? That’s what I want to know bc in past years they’d be off the block or severely punished. This year’s BS.”
According to Channel 9, contestants are given a list of rules for appearing on the show. These are the same rules that have existed throughout The Block’s 17-season history, including:
No help from any outside designer.
All painting must be done by contestants.
All trades must be paid the award rate.
All trades must be inducted.
No more than 50 per cent discount on any trades goods.
No working ahead.
No power tools after tools down.
No power tools on Sunday or public holidays.
Contestants must hire their own trades.
As it stands, Luke and Josh have already broken at least two, apparently with more to come.
After winning their first room on Sunday, fuming fourth-place stars Ronnie and Georgia dropped the bombshell that in addition to the styling help last week, they’d also had access to the program schedule.
“I guess it helps to cheat,” said Ronnie.
“It’s amazing that you know exactly the full schedule of what rooms are coming up, they know when the challenge days are coming up … so I guess it helps to cheat. That’s great, beautiful,” Ronnie said sarcastically as Georgia begged, “Don’t go there.”
His comment prompted the producer to ask: “Do you think they’ve found out some way?”
“They’ve known from day one,” Ronnie responded.
“So you really think they boys have found out?,” the producer pressed.
“Mate, I don’t f**ing really think, I know for a fact,” the furious reality star shot back.
Viewers shared Ronnie’s frustration, with one writing on Twitter: “If it turns out that the twins did in fact know in advance what rooms were coming up, and they dont get kicked off the show, im literally not going to watch this season anymore because it‘s transparently clear ch9 is rigging it for them.”
News.com.au has reached out to Channel 9 for comment.
The Block continues tonight from 7.30 on Channel 9.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiqQFodHRwczovL3d3dy5uZXdzLmNvbS5hdS9lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L3R2L3JlYWxpdHktdHYvdmlld2Vycy1mdW1lLWFzLXRoZS1ibG9ja3MtbHVrZS1hbmQtam9zaC1nZXQtYXdheS13aXRoLWFub3RoZXItcnVsZS1icmVhay9uZXdzLXN0b3J5LzgxZjFiMDQyNmZmZjQ0NDZmM2ViNTJkNjNhYzk0MDUy0gEA?oc=5
