Yahoo Lifestyle 
The Block Island called out over 'sad' detail about 'rundown' holiday homes in 2024 season
EXCLUSIVE: An insider confirms that not everything was as it seemed on Phillip Island as Season 20 begins on Channel 9.
The Block Island 2024 is finally upon us! The twentieth anniversary season premieres Monday night (August 12) as a whole host of new teams attempt to live out their DIY dreams in the hopes of selling their house to the highest bidder at the end.
This season promises plenty of fun and drama (some have even called it 'MAFS with hammers'). Fans can also look forward to seeing some returning Blockheads such as Steph and Gian (2023), Eliza and Liberty (2023), Omar and Oz (2022), Tom and Sarah-Jane (2022), Ronnie and Georgia (2017, 2021) and Jimmy and Tam (2020).
While excitement is growing for the 2024 season, some viewers have called out that the "rundown holiday homes" the cast is set to turn into "luxury properties", were not as rundown as they were made out to be. In fact, an insider who worked on the series told Yahoo Lifestyle, "Channel Nine wanted the 2024 work site in Phillip Island to look absolutely run down and looking its worst to suit a narrative that this former holiday resort was in total ruins. - which was not really the case."
RELATED:
The Block producer reveals huge reason why the show moved from Sydney to Melbourne
The Block producer finally addresses major rumour about 'dramatic' new season
The Block judge reveals truth behind shock 'cheating' scandal: 'Not suitable'
Insider reveals Channel Nine 'tricks'
Fans have certainly noticed that perhaps the network was leaning into the drama a bit, as all good reality shows do.
"Before we start watching The Block tomorrow night, let’s not get sucked into the notion that the site was an 'abandoned' derelict holiday village," one viewer wrote on Facebook. "This is what it looked like before The Block builders came in with their sledgehammers to destroy the kitchens, bathrooms and walls etc. All for the drama. Don’t believe everything you see or hear. But try to enjoy the show."
They also added, "Note: this is no different from most previous Blocks. They always destroy the houses to make them appear more derelict."
"The Block is a TV show that thrives on heightening the drama - audiences don't mind having that 'wink to the camera' when they feel like they are in on the joke," the source told Yahoo Lifestyle. "Channel Nine knows they are being campy when it comes to some of their tricks. However, it is a part of the show's charm."
Before shots show a holiday retreat in decent nick
This certainly rings true as the viewer came with receipts, adding 'before' photos of the vacation rentals at Island Cove Villas - showing a very different side to the villas than the ones we've seen for the promo for the show.
"Wow that's nothing like what the ads have said lol that place looked amazing. A little outdated but still clean and well put together. Thank you for posting," one fan wrote in reply.
"Wow! Looked really lovely. Wonder what happened to the animals," another said.
"I’d love to see them renovate these places but not destroy perfectly good kitchens etc," another responded. "That could be taken out and sold to people that can’t afford brand new."
"Absolutely!," someone replied. "But they prefer to smash everything up to make the houses appear abandoned and derelict. Sad."
In a different online discussion, another fan said much the same thing writing, "Looking forward to it. Maybe not the 1st episode so much with the smoke and mirrors re: advertising the resort as deserted and run down, which certainly isn’t at all correct. But really look forward to seeing all the changes that have come to fruition."
"Totally agree! After knowing what a beautiful place it was to what it is being advertised as. But none the less this year certainly has more meaning," was one reply.
"Sad that they destroyed all this, just to make the show. But they usually do stage the start set up," was another.
"I’ve visited the site several times including before filming and agree it’s sad it’s being depicted as rundown. I will never trust reality TV again (not that I really did to start with or even watch much of it!) Land tax and stamp duty costs have exploded in Victoria which has put many investors off buying here," yet another person said.
Insider reveals 'not everything is as it seems'
"That the tone of the first few weeks is required to look more doom and gloom," our source said. "Watch out for the colour palette to change as the season goes on. Not everything is as it seems but it makes the show more entertaining."
They continued, "In early shots, you will see dark clouds - as the contestants enter The Block which was not really the case in the first few weeks of filming this year! In reality the weather was mid 30's and it was the dryest work site The Block had seen in 5 years. However, toning the colour palette down to dark and stormy will always sell the drama of it being impossible to build in the early days."
It happens most years, Channel Nine will make sure by comparison the first glimpses of the location are overly sold on as being decrepit and unliveable. Which is only so the 'final renovation reveals' pops on TV. To give the show that 'wow effect.'"
Huge price Channel Nine paid for Philip Island villas
Meanwhile, the previous owners of the dwellings at Island Cove Villas are probably singing the praises of Channel Nine and happy for the network to advertise the properties as rundown as they like. In 2023 it was reported that Nine had paid in the vicinity of $9,580,000 for the nine homes.
According to The Sentinel Times, "the owners of the property, who purchased it for a modest $2,005,000 in April 2017, have returned a profit well north of $7 million in just six years… more than a million-a-year."
And despite pointing out the slight inaccuracy of the state of the properties at the start of The Block build, the viewers also expressed massive excitement for the new season.
"Excited to finally see The Block Monday night," one fan said.
"Can't wait!", added another.
"Love The Block so much, very excited," echoed a third.
The excitement is understandable too, as the source told Yahoo Lifestyle that "the finished product this year brings some of the most exciting renovations the show has ever seen. Channel Nine can't wait to show you the houses - along with the drama of course."
They added, "When you see what these teams do with the renovation - audiences will be blown away at how dramatic the final results look when it comes to the final auctions."
The Block judges 2024
Hosts Scott Cam and Shelley Craft will be returning this season while real estate director Marty Fox is officially replacing longtime judge Neale Whitaker alongside Shaynna Blaze and Darren Palmer.
Dan Reilly has also become the show’s sole foreman as Keith Schleiger wasn’t able to make the move to Phillip Island, although both Neale and Keith are expected to make guest appearances.
SHOP:
Who won The Block 2023?
Steph and Gian were the winners of the 2023 season of The Block after their stunning home sold for a history-making $5,000,000. Their reserve was $3.350 million which gave the couple a profit of $1.65 million + $100,000 prize money taking them to $1.75 million in winnings.
The pair now run their own business - Japandi Estate.
What time does The Block start tonight?
The Block kicks off at 7:30 pm on Monday, August 12th on Channel Nine. The show will air on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the 2024 season.
Want the latest celebrity news? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
