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MasterChef Australia fans lament 'sad' missing detail from the new season: 'So confusing'
While the new season of MasterChef features some fresh new faces, fans are feeling that there is one big thing missing.
MasterChef Australia 2024 is in full swing and, so far, fans have been blown away by the talent of the home cooks who are vying for the $250,000 prize money. The contestants have faced a variety of intense challenges, from taking inspiration from Andy's mum's iconic dishes to being asked to re-create Jean-Christophe Novelli's Michelin star-earning dessert.
While the audience might be impressed with the contestant's creations, some feel that the season is missing something when it comes to the judges. This year, Andy Allen is the only remaining judge from previous seasons, following the shock departure of Melissa Leong and the tragic passing of Jock Zonfrillo.
Taking to a fan forum on social media, one viewer expressed what they feel is missing from the latest season.
'Now it's so confusing'
"Is it just me or ya'll also miss Jock?" the fan asked.
"He was sooo good at being the judge especially when someone made a brilliant dish, his comments and that round of applause made me very happy but now its so confusing to even understand who stood out in the day also at the end of every pressure test his 'give it up' was too good!"
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He concluded, "A part of me hoped Andy to do that after James was eliminated but sad he didn't! I personally would have loved seeing him do it."
The post was met with a mixture of comments - with some fans agreeing with the OP and others expressing a different stance.
"I sure miss hearing Jock's "Give it up for..." when someone leaves - it kinda feels a bit flat now. I guess it will take a bit of time," one person wrote.
"Definitely missing Jock!" another added.
"Jock made the rest of the judges stand out, I'm sad he's not there," said someone else.
"MasterChef will never be the same," another fan wrote.
'Let Jock rest in peace'
Despite the group agreeing that they all missed Jock terribly, there was also plenty of praise for the new judges and how well they have been leading the season.
"Let Jock rest in peace," someone said. "Andy is himself and glad that he is not trying to emulate Jock. It is a fresh new start for all of them."
"All the judges have their own delightful personalities," another said. "And so great to have Jamie here for awhile. It’s coming together very well, even though missing Jock."
Another added, "I remember when we got those new judges and everyone hated them. And now that Jock has gone and they replaced Melissa nobody likes anybody. I think they're all doing their best that they can especially since they lost their friend Jock."
MasterChef fans clash over new judges: 'Something is off'
Meanwhile, over on Reddit, fans were debating the balance of the the four judges plus guest judge Jamie Oliver.
One Reddit user kickstarted the conversation, saying that felt "something is off" with the new panel.
"Finding a replacement for Jock was never going to be easy, and I love Poh. But does anyone else feel like the current judging panel is a slight overcorrect? Plus a guest judge, it’s too busy," they wrote.
"Maybe I need time to settle into the new judging panel, but it just feels off. Andy and Poh are great, I just don’t think everyone around them is executing as sharp as they do.
"Just me?" they asked.
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"I think it’ll settle down in the second or third week, especially once Jamie Oliver is gone, but to be honest, I quite like the positivity and energy that Sofia, JC and Poh bring," someone replied.
"Give them some time to find their groove," another suggested. "This always happens when there is a new line up of judges."
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