What happened to wholesome reality TV?!

Once upon a time, reality shows like The Block, My Kitchen Rules and Farmer Wants a Wife used to be wholesome – with little to no drama.

These shows were solely about renovation, cooking, and true love.

However, since Married at First Sight entered the chat and became a ratings juggernaut, it’s obvious producers think viewers want nothing but drama from reality TV.

And so, in recent years, The Block, My Kitchen Rules, Farmer Wants a Wife and countless others have ditched their wholesome formats and now make one contestant or team the ‘villain/s’ to stir up drama.

As an example, this year’s Farmer Wants a Wife ‘villain’ was Clarette.
han and can the block(Credit: Nine)
She was non-stop portrayed as jealous and clingy but even one of her main competitors Rachael has come out and said she was nothing like that in real life.

And now, it looks like Han and Can are going to be the ‘villains’ on this year’s The Block.

In the first episode alone, Han understandably got upset when she and Can didn’t get their first choice of house.

But the music underscoring the scene was a haunting, dramatic, violin piece and the camera slowly zoomed in on Han putting her face in her hands – ultimately, the editing made Han unfairly look like a drama queen.
han and can the block(Credit: Nine)
I’m sorry but it would be upsetting not to get the house you want. And it’s not like Han had a full on outburst, screaming and crying.

She literally just put her face in her hands?

Later in the episode, Can went shopping for bathroom tiles and facetimed Han who was back at the worksite.

Again, the music underscoring the scene was overly dramatic, and made it seem like Can was an idiot for being overwhelmed by choice.

I am currently doing up my apartment, and let me tell you, trying to decide on tiles, carpets, paint colours, etc. IS overwhelming.
the 2025 contestants (Credit: Nine)
In this day and age, we are spoiled for choice when it comes to that stuff and it’s expensive – so if you choose the wrong tiles or paint, it’s costly to fix it.

Finally, right near the end of the episode, Han was gently reprimanded by The Block’s handymen for installing insulation wrong.

The music was – you guessed it – ridiculously dramatic, trying to make Han look sour.

But, in my opinion, Han took the criticism graciously and with a smile.
han and can(Credit: Nine)
Yes, all of these examples are subtle.

But I’ve been covering reality TV long enough now to know the early signs of a ‘villain edit’.

I’m really hoping I’m wrong and Han and Can aren’t the ‘villains’ for the rest of this Block season – I’m honestly hoping there aren’t ANY villains this season.

Alas, only time will tell.

The Block’s 2025 season is currently airing Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays on Channel 9 and 9now.