After last year’s Married at First Sight season, you’d be forgiven for thinking that nothing could possibly beat the drama that unfolded.
From full-blown affairs to zero chemistry, the participants gave us all plenty to talk about.
But just how much of MAFS was real and how much was clever editing? Or was it just plain scripted?
TV WEEK chats to former MAFS villain Jono Pitman, 30, and this year’s groom John Robertson, 54, to get the scoop on what went on behind-the-scenes.
Do you have a Married at First Sight tip or know one of the contestants? Email us with your tip-off at [email protected]
The experts Mel Schilling, Trisha Stratford and John Aiken.
The experts hardly help
“The guy [psychologist] I spoke to during my season was awesome,” Jono revealed, talking about a psychologist that was used off air.
“He listened to what I had to say and what I was feeling. He helped me through some dark times and was the polar opposite of the relationship experts the show used.”
Contestants and experts don’t mingle
According to Jono, the couples and relationship experts rarely talk.
“I spent at most half a day with John, one-on-one,” he said.
Justin and Carly hoped their love was a hole-in-one. (Source: Channel 9)
Dates are timed
According to John, participants often want to stay longer on their dates, but they’re restricted by time.
Cameras follow their every move
You can run, but you can’t hide.
“They tried to constantly film me,” Jono says. “If I didn’t want to be on camera, I’d switch off my mic. They’d [the producers] tell me to turn it back on.”
The dinner parties continue well into the night, with plenty of drink on offer.
Drinks flow free
At the dreaded dinner parties, the drinks are endlessly flowing.
“You’re full of booze,” Jono recalls. “There are endless drinks available, and there’s not much food on offer. But the esky was always full.”
Filming goes for hours
Jono says filming the dinner parties can sometimes go into the early hours of the morning.
“They last for hours,” he reveals. “Conversations get out of hand.”
Footage is recycled
Sometimes old footage is reused.
“One time, the camera crew didn’t want to film us getting up at 4am,” John reveals. “So they used some old footage of me instead.”
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Drama is encouraged
This season, it was all about the D words – Dean, Davina and drama. But Jono says not all is as it seems.
“Dean and Davina would’ve been encouraged to go for it,” he says. “I felt bad for them.”
Revealing what happens behind the scenes, he adds: “They would’ve been encouraged by producers and producers would’ve helped set it up.”
Scenes are scripted
According to Jono, the producers make participants repeat their lines until they’re happy with how it sounds.
“They’re always fishing for one-liners,” he explains. “My famous line was, ‘She wasn’t what I ordered’ when my partner, Clare, was walking down the aisle.
“They got me to say it a thousand different times.”
Not all participants apply for the show
Future contestants needn’t apply – Jono and this season’s Ryan were both headhunted for the series.
“I was hit-up at a footy game on a Sunday,” Jono says.
“I said no, but took the producer’s card. Then they called me when I was at the pub and was convinced it was a good idea!”
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