TV executive reveals why MAFS contestants have no right to complain about ‘manipulative’ producers

Married At First Sight has seen an unprecedented number of contestants this year revolt against the show in scathing interviews and social media rants.

From complaining about filming conditions, to exposing alleged threats of bad editing, and claiming to have had mental health issues as a result of appearing on the Nine series, the 2020 cast have not held back about their alleged experiences.

But now a TV executive has revealed why these stars have no right to complain about ‘manipulative’ producers.

Scroll down for video 

Former Channel 10 executive Robert McKnight spoke about the unruly contestants going rogue on his podcast TV Blackbox on Monday.  

McKnight said it was evident that Nine had trouble keeping this year’s contestants quiet, and unlike previous years when only a single star would complain, it was hard to dismiss this year’s onslaught of defiant brides and grooms as ‘bitter’.  

‘This felt like the first year where it wasn’t just one or two contestants [complaining], a lot of them came out having problems with the way they were treated.

‘I felt like we were getting a true picture of  what really goes on behind the scenes,’ he added.

‘I think, of course the EP [executive producer] is using the power of the fact they [the stars] sign contracts to get them to do what they want, and yes they use tricks.     

‘The EPs can hold the power of well, not only do I have a contract and I can sue your a**, but I can also give you a bad edit, make you look back, and you won’t appear in the show.’ 

‘People want fame and if they misbehave the fame will be taken away from them, and let’s be honest, everyone going on Married At First Sight is wanting fame.’ 

Last week, 2020 MAFS bride Natasha Spencer revealed she was ‘so proud’ of her cast mates going rogue in recent weeks.

The reality TV star, 26, told Daily Mail Australia exactly what consequences she and the other co-stars faced for breaking their Nine contracts. 

When asked if season seven’s brides and grooms were given more lenient contracts than previous seasons, she said: ‘I can assure you, the rules are not different.’

‘When there’s a state of anarchy, I think they just give up,’ Natasha joked, adding that Nine had no intentions of suing stars.

‘When I mentioned I left MAFS for my mental health, I was like “what are you going to do, say I breached contract and sue me?”‘ she recalled asking a female producer for the Nine program.

Natasha went on to say: ‘[The producer] goes, “no, we’re just going to take off our arranged publicity… what can I sue you for? You’ve all broken contract”.’