ABC host Michael Rowland has absolutely slammed Channel Nine’s Married At First Sight, referring to the show as “the absolute cesspit of TV”.
The host of ABC’s News Breakfast made the passionate comments on air this morning, following last night’s controversial reunion dinner party, which saw contestants Martha and Cyrell throwing red wine on each other.
“I’ve never understood the appeal of this show. I fully appreciate it’s watched by gazillions, and well done Channel 9 for sustaining it, but this is a show that destroys relationships; it doesn’t celebrate relationships,” the news presenter told viewers.
“This is a show that encourages cheating and adultery. What sort of message is this show setting to teenagers like mine, who I’m trying to teach about the nature of stable, loving relationships? It’s the absolute cesspit of TV.”
The host proceeded to upload a video of his comments to Twitter with the caption: “Had to get this off my chest. Who’s with me?”
Had to get this off my chest. Who’s with me? @BreakfastNews #MAFS https://t.co/2QZIfXq2f3
— Michael Rowland (@mjrowland68) April 7, 2019
Agree wholeheartedly. You cannot on the one hand believe there should be no bullying in schools and call out gaslighting and bad behaviour against women, and simultaneously watch this and say ‘but it’s my guilty pleasure’. This show is putrid.
— Julia Zemiro (@julia_zemiro) April 7, 2019
100%. It is irresponsible garbage. The fact that they try to justify it by saying it’s a “social experiment” undermines both the idea of marriage, and the social sciences. Its popularity is incredibly depressing.
— Matt Bevan 🎙 (@MatthewBevan) April 7, 2019
Thing I dislike most about reality TV is that the money being spent on producing these shows means that Aust’s acting/screen community are being starved of funds & opportunity.
I’d like to see our actors/writers/directors/etc given the $$$ for their art, sad to see the decline.
— Bee (@BelindaJones68) April 7, 2019
I can’t reconcile the fact that THIS rates through the roof while not so long ago we had to hold a plebiscite because hetero marriage was soooo sacred 🙄
— Darren C (@bigreddaz1973) April 7, 2019
Dreadful show and if you dig deep enough you’ll find past participants saying they were told what to say and do the whole time. The show is phony, rigged, and just manipulates viewers to believe something that isn’t true. Reality TV is not real, it’s scripted too.
— TheEgalitarian (@CatmanForever) April 7, 2019
Married At First Sight’s final episode airs tonight at 7:30PM on Channel Nine.