. MasterChef - Where To Now

[MikeyBikey]

Late last night it emerged that Greg Wallace and John Torode were never friends, and that there was tension amongst the production crews. I will be honest and admit that bar the odd few minutes I haven't watched a full episode since 2019. My favourite bit was the Professionals variant when the chefs did the skills test. Personally I never took to Greg Wallace and his "cheeky chappie" image although not to the level of Jimmy Saville who gave me the creeps.

I think the program will survive but should maybe rested for a couple of years. I feel for the wannabe chefs in the unbroadcast series as I think the BBC cannot now show the episodes on its main channels.

 

[Wendal]

Late last night it emerged that Greg Wallace and John Torode were never friends, and that there was tension amongst the production crews. I will be honest and admit that bar the odd few minutes I haven't watched a full episode since 2019. My favourite bit was the Professionals variant when the chefs did the skills test. Personally I never took to Greg Wallace and his "cheeky chappie" image although not to the level of Jimmy Saville who gave me the creeps.

I think the program will survive but should maybe rested for a couple of years. I feel for the wannabe chefs in the unbroadcast series as I think the BBC cannot now show the episodes on its main channels.

Morning Mikey,
I think the BBC is like a lot of organisations in that a lot of Senior Management ( the decision makers) are almost too political in career terms and either have ignored bad behaviour and/ or failed to deal directly with “ sensitive” subjects.
Historically I also think that certain of the “ big beasts” were untouchable and this ignorance allowed a few of the these monsters to abuse their position and they became convinced they would not be called to account for their actions.
I am of an age where Jimmy Saville was just considered eccentric but my son in his 30s just thinks he was weird but one of our friends who did some Nursing Training at Stoke Mandeville many years ago was told by staff never to be in a room alone with Saville.
Equally I recall going to a BBC Studio in Manchester as part of Children in Need and seeing Stuart Hall and later recoiling as I found out years later the security guard ignored his comings and goings at all times with his “ fans” which he tricked into being abused.
One of my friends daughters worked for the BBC in HR and she confirmed that there was this “ code of silence” of knowing some things were going on but simply choosing not to investigate or delve further.
This is the bit I really don’t like and know in the past the “ canteen culture” of certain organisations was certainly evident and provided a real curtain hiding many bad things.
I know the situation is much better but it seems clear to me that the likes of Greg Wallace clearly crossed the line on multiple occasions and behaved in a very boorish fashion way beyond a bit of “ banter”.
However it does bemuse me that there must be many in the BBC who are well aware of the “ goings on behind the scenes” and the “ rumour mill gossip” and of course the hypocrisy of politicians who attack the BBC as I am sure based on what we know there are a host of not very nice people in Parliament and plenty of other organisations who have chosen for years to pretend to not know what has been/ is going on when they clearly must have been to sone extent aware.
I could cite many other example but there is a common theme but thanks for raising Mikey

 

[silver minion]

Yes I agree with you @Wendal . There certainly was and still is a culture in many organisations that public perception is more important than the reality. The appalling behaviour of 'important ' figures is not challenged until it becomes public knowledge and can no longer be swept under the carpet.
The program is bigger than the presenters. I was always more interested in the competitors. I don't watch much TV now so haven't seen recent series.

 

[Sally71]

I’m a big Masterchef fan, and I had been thinking that whilst I still enjoy it, it doesn’t hold my attention quite like it used to so maybe time to retire it for a bit. That was before anyone’s behaviour came to light. I don’t watch it for the presenters, I watch it because I’m fascinated with what people can do with random ingredients and so on, so there’s no reason the programme can’t continue with different presenters. People I know say they were put off because John and Gregg were “too shouty”. I wonder what they will do with the already recorded series though. If they show it, it’s bad for the people who have complained. If they don’t, it’s a bit unfair on all the people who took part. (And are presumably still sworn to silence until a decision is made.) One suggestion was put it on iplayer, where it can be seen if you really want to see it, but won’t be rammed down the throats of people who don’t. I’d go for that, but then I’ve never been directly involved in anything like this so maybe I’m not the right person to decide

 

[Leadinglights]

The thing that annoyed me was that at the final presentation of the dishes everything always done in a rush and the contestants seemed being hassled almost being bullied to get the dishes on the pass.

 

[PhoebeC]

I really have always enjoyed MasterChef, and it’s a shame it’s now ruined. Completely understandable.
They should just retire it now.

 

[PhoebeC]

If they show it, it’s bad for the people who have complained. If they don’t, it’s a bit unfair on all the people who took part. (And are presumably still sworn to silence until a decision is made.) One suggestion was put it on iplayer, where it can be seen if you really want to see it, but won’t be rammed down the throats of people who don’t. I’d go for that, but then I’ve never been directly involved in anything like this so maybe I’m not the right person to decide

Yes an article I read shared the terms the contestants have agreed which includes silence until all is shown.
I agree with you. Huge fan.
To show it or not impacts people unfairly. Contestants only get basic expenses, cheap hotel and £20 food vouchers there’s no coverage for loss of earnings so there’s an impact on those people if not shown, people have careers in food after this based on how they do.
Urgh

 

[Wendal]

Yes I agree with you @Wendal . There certainly was and still is a culture in many organisations that public perception is more important than the reality. The appalling behaviour of 'important ' figures is not challenged until it becomes public knowledge and can no longer be swept under the carpet.
The program is bigger than the presenters. I was always more interested in the competitors. I don't watch much TV now so haven't seen recent series.

Yep SM even a very simple example happened to me when buying the l sandwiches for my Cardiology Lunch and Learn yesterday.
I often go to Tesco and go through the checkout and the checkout lady said you must be a Rep and I smiled and said correct and we got talking about the public perception of Company's who are so keen to position themselves as a shining light in terms of looking after their staff but she said the reality was very different.
I am lucky in that my employer really does walk the walk in terms of diversity,inclusivity and openness but I have worked for others who simply talk the talk with there “ mission statements” which promise the earth but as my wife says “ not on the end of a shovel”.