Channel 10 is ‘urgently reviewing’ episodes of MasterChef Australia after Jock Zonfrillo’s shock death
Network 10 is reportedly rushing to review the upcoming season of MasterChef Australia in the wake of Jock Zonfrillo’s untimely passing.
While the late chef’s family and judge have given their blessings for the new season, producers are now scrutinizing each episode to avoid any potential insensitivity surrounding his death.
A delicate balance must be struck during the editing process to preserve Zonfrillo’s unique personality without drawing undue attention to his passing.
“There are two schools of thought,” said an insider The Australian.
“Editing too much can also take away from what he was.”
It’s because the season premiere of MasterChef Australia on Sunday night turned out to be a success after it returned to the screens.
Channel 10 is reportedly rushing to review the upcoming season of MasterChef Australia in the wake of Jock Zonfrillo’s untimely passing
While the late chef’s family and judge have given their blessings for the season, producers are now closely scrutinizing each episode to avoid any potential insensitivity surrounding Zonfrillo’s death.
The show’s debut in the 7:30pm primetime slot came after a moving hour-long tribute to Zonfrillo on Channel Ten’s The Sunday Project.
MasterChef drew 761,000 viewers nationwide, easily surpassing its competition, Seven’s Farmer Wants A Wife and Nine’s Lego Masters.
It did particularly well in the coveted demographic of 25-54 year olds, drawing 345,000 viewers to see how the show covered Jock’s passing.
Farmer Wants A Wife followed it with 609,000 viewers and Lego Masters came in third, with 567,000 people watching the penultimate episode.
Ten’s heartwarming tribute to Zonfrillo on The Sunday Project was also a ratings success, with 610,000 people watching it – far more than the 246,000 viewers who tuned in the week before.
It comes after MasterChef viewers were quick to express their heartache on social media, admitting that the new season “hits differently” in the wake of Jock’s tragic loss.
“There are two schools of thought,” an insider told The Australian. “Editing too much can also take away from what he was.”
Tears flowed as viewers watched Jock grace their screens for the last time, with many sharing their emotional reactions on Twitter.
“Every time Jock speaks,” one distraught fan wrote, accompanied by a crying emoji.
Jock said, “What a time to be alive.” Life is so precious and no one knows what awaits us. This comment of his is heartbreaking,” another person tweeted.
The pain was palpable, with many fans struggling to contain their emotions.
MasterChef attracted 761,000 viewers nationwide, easily surpassing its competition, Seven’s Farmer Wants A Wife and Nine’s Lego Masters
‘I can’t get around this. Well. I think it’s going to take me some time. My heart is breaking,” another viewer wrote.
Others couldn’t help but feel the weight of the loss as they watched an emotional conversation between Jock and contestant Brent about overcoming personal struggles.
“That convo between Jock and Brent is just hitting hard right now,” one fan commented.
MasterChef Australia continues on Channel Ten on Tuesday at 7:30pm
Ten’s heartwarming tribute to Zonfrillo on The Sunday Project was also a ratings success, with 610,000 people watching it – more than the 246,000 viewers who tuned in to the previous episode.