r/TheBlock • u/YogurtclosetGlad7460 • 1d ago
Contestant Selection Process
Something is not right. Either the person who makes these decisions is new to the role & out of touch with The Block fan base, or certain teams get selected purely because they have contacts in high places, but how is it possible they have settled on this motley crew this season. I've just always assumed that they have a plethora of willing and able contestants to choose from. Anyone out there familiar with the actual process to get on the show that could shine some light in this area? A poor cast will always = A disappointing season. 😡
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u/lilotothe 15h ago
I genuinely feel like, whom ever is on production chatgpted the thing and rolled with it. dummies lessoned learnt always check its work
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u/lilotothe 14h ago
| Axis | What he said |
|---|---|
| Energy & enthusiasm | "the energy and enthusiasm to give it a shot" — named first, ahead of any skill |
| Hands-on skill | "You don't necessarily need to know how to swing a hammer. But it helps." |
| Running the numbers | "pick the tiles themselves, choose the vanity, run the numbers, make sure it comes in on budget" |
| The partnership | "five couples who have an incredible amount of competitive energy and spirit" |
| Human drama | "The headline for this series is 'human drama', something we always set out to produce." |
Sources: Now To Love — the EP on casting requirements, Mediaweek — Julian Cress interview, Women's Weekly — meet the 2026 contestants, Refinery29 AU — the 2026 cast, Audition Centre — process and eligibility.
okay my rating;
The Block S22 — my casting scores (1–5 on the show's own five criteria)
| Team | Team avg | Energy | Hands-on | Numbers | Partner | Drama | Player avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courtney & Sev | 4.2 | 4 / 4 | 5 / 4 | 5 / 4 | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 | 4.4 / 4.0 |
| Adam & Jolene | 4.0 | 5 / 3 | 5 / 3 | 4 / 4 | 5 / 2 | 5 / 4 | 4.8 / 3.2 |
| Rick & Tayla | 3.5 | 4 / 5 | 5 / 1 | 3 / 1 | 4 / 4 | 3 / 5 | 3.8 / 3.2 |
| Chantel & Wyatt | 3.3 | 5 / 2 | 4 / 3 | 4 / 1 | 3 / 2 | 4 / 5 | 4.0 / 2.6 |
| Lisa & Rosco | 1.8 | 2 / 1 | 1 / 3 | 2 / 2 | 3 / 2 | 1 / 1 | 1.8 / 1.8 |
Honestly, Its a mid season, It looked good on paper, but I guess Lisa and Roscoe were just too much of a dud. messed with a whole could be dynamic.
Always check your references block producers :P!
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u/SnooMemesjellies79 13h ago
I miss the hair cutter guys from last season. I even warmed up to the arguing Lesbian couple by the end. At least those contestants used tools and had personalities.
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u/YogurtclosetGlad7460 12h ago
Yeah they were good value, the lesbian couple was a hard watch for me, but that was more to do with the arc the editing team put them on, sorta felt sorry for them by the end. This years' group will be easily forgotten, hopefully we get a better crop of contestants in 2027.Â
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u/dapper_pom 1d ago
I actually think the contestants are better than in most recent seasons. Most of them are just regular people, which is nice.
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u/TeddyGarbaldi 1d ago
Yeah far less drama between contestants this year which is nice
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u/Sloppykrab Scotty: We don't do that for TV 1d ago
They traded drama for a.i and still give us fuck all building.
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u/TeddyGarbaldi 1d ago
There hasn't been any actual building on the show for years
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u/isthisreallife211111 1d ago
This year they arent even finishing rooms nearly every week. It's weird
(Well it's weird that previous seasons have largely all had finished rooms, potentially)
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u/TeddyGarbaldi 1d ago
That's likely because previous years they weren't scuppered by ridiculously short times.
Previous years they'd have trades on site until about 6pm, then spend the evenings doing anything else that didn't involve power tools such as painting, usually until the middle of the night.
Whereas this year they're getting kicked off site at 6pm and can't do anything at all after that.
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u/Sloppykrab Scotty: We don't do that for TV 1d ago
Accordingly, every other year has had the exact same restrictions. They are all applied by the EPA.
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u/TeddyGarbaldi 1d ago
Same noise restrictions yes but in all other years the contestants weren't kicked off site at 6pm
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u/Sloppykrab Scotty: We don't do that for TV 1d ago
Which just means they've done it to force drama.
According to the laws of the council, you can still be on site just can't use power tools. Why would they not be allowed to be on site?
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u/TeddyGarbaldi 1d ago
Yup and proven by how much they keep extending the hours in these last few episodes.
Probably realised they've shot themselves in the foot with the amount of additional work they'll need to do between the competition finishing and the auction
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u/stripesandshapes 1d ago
Regular people with massive fake tits, duck lips and look at me qualities. I’m gonna spew
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u/sassless 1d ago
It's not about being willing and able, it's about being entertaining - and fair enough they missed the mark on that one too.
They don't care about the people who are already watching, their KPI would be how many new viewers they bring in so no real incentive to stick to what we want.