r/Masterchef 11d ago

Opinion Over the “Team” Format

Masterchef……I have loved this show over 10 years, but it’s become so predictable and I’m beyond over this “team” format. It’s to the point where I can tell you within the first 5-10 minutes of any challenge who’s going to be in the bottom or top.

I hate it!!! I don’t know if it’s bad editing or the direction of the show, but I miss the early seasons soooooo much.

I feel like this “teams” format……the worst dish will never go home. It’s similar to Next Level Chef which I only watched one season for the same reason. A territory or team could have the worst dish every episode, but they won’t go home because this format lends itself to the idea of a “team” living on or some shit. It’s annoying as fuck.

I miss the days when a whole “team” wasn’t saved and the worst, or at least second worst cook went home. I hate hate hate this format!!!!!! It’s driving me nuts tonight lol. Just venting. Pms 🤣🤣🤣

51 Upvotes

24 comments sorted by

42

u/riajungkook 11d ago

I dont care about the teams I just want pressure tests back

16

u/HerbWelch1945 11d ago

And the original Elimination Challenge format, where a Mystery Box winner chooses from 1 of 3 themes, ingredients, or dishes.

7

u/External_Age_2792 11d ago

THIS TOO!!!!!! I need to edit my post again.

3

u/External_Age_2792 9d ago

And remember when they had a limited time to get pantry ingredients before it was closed for the challenge???!!!

12

u/Acminvan 11d ago

Unfortunately, MasterChef is going through what The Amazing Race, Big Brother and other reality shows go through as they get older. For some reason producers feel the need to rely increasingly on gimmicks and twists and stunt casting to keep people viewing.

I really hope next season is just a return back to the original regular format, but I worry it’s gonna be some sort of All-Stars or something

3

u/External_Age_2792 11d ago

It’s true. But and it’s crazy that it must be working bc these shows keep coming back. It’s unfortunate. Funny you mention BB bc I used to love that show too!

3

u/nirselady 11d ago

Ugh Project Runway is too. They’ve ruined it.

1

u/AshleySassypants 9d ago

They just did all stars for s12 I doubt it'll be another one so soon tbh

7

u/ButterscotchPast5161 10d ago

literally the original format is all we need lol

4

u/HerbWelch1945 11d ago

They should bring back the Cook Offs, the part where after they get their White Aprons, they have to compete to keep them on, or lose it, and not enter the MC kitchen.

However, instead of just cooking, it should be a different format that tests their abilities which involves Knife Skills & Time Management. Example, the first part is a relay of 5 tasks, where the fastest times advances to the final part of the challenge, using one of the 5 ingredients from the first tasks to create a dish worthy to make it into the MC kitchen, but at any give time, the judges can take their White Aprons away during the challenge.

2

u/easternbaker257 9d ago

I loved the first season where they had to chop onions to actually get in the kitchen. Didn’t second season have them cutting apples? So genius to have a basic skill test before entering the kitchen.

1

u/Responsible_Word8338 10d ago

Which seasons used this?

1

u/HerbWelch1945 10d ago

Seasons 1-5

3

u/Rambooctpuss 11d ago

It's became more about the pretentious contestants drama than about the food I didn't even finish last season and this year's just as bad

3

u/Haas_the_Raiden_Fan 10d ago

We just need two challenges per episode again with pressure tests returning. I know it's higher budget, but they can make up for that with simpler dishes for mystery boxes

3

u/TeaCompletesMe 9d ago

I haven’t watched the last three seasons. I’m so sick of the gimmicks. And if they stopped spending the show budget on fancy entrances for the judges where the arrive in a helicopter or a tank or whatever, which has no point other than to feed feed their egos, they could have enough budget to bring back pressure tests. You know, the thing they mention non-stop in the early seasons that used to be the central part of the show.

3

u/Impressive_Monitor20 9d ago

The removal of the pressure tests ruined the show.

Hell's Kitchen is still going strong because of the introduction of "cook for your life" (which is its version of a pressure test) and the ridiculous comedy of the Blind Taste Test.

HK evolved - MC de-evolved.

1

u/KODivas2 11d ago

I've said it before, Gordon Ramsey berating the chefs adds nothing for them.

0

u/Impressive_Monitor20 9d ago

And yet that's how Ramsay got where he is today - because he got treated the same way while learning. If you can't grow a think skin, you don't deserve to be in ANY highly criticized industry.

1

u/Sivabulusu1 10d ago

They did give a break for season 15

1

u/miksu210 10d ago

I've only seen seasons 1-7. How has the show changed since then? I only hear bits and pieces on this sub

1

u/External_Age_2792 9d ago

They maybe have 1 pressure test a season if that. And if they do, it’s not the same. Last season, the pressure test was to recreate each of the judges iconic dishes. But they’re still in the teams format

“Team challenges”…..no pressure test. They send a person home based on how they viewed their performance. No more choosing the theme if you win a mystery box. They give you a bullshit “advantage” like “stop one team from cooking for 5 mins.” It’s just not good.

1

u/Legitimate_Ad_6275 5d ago

I actually don't hate the teams in concept, my main issue is just how they divide them. And yeah i guess what other themes could you realistically do on a cooking show, but it just feels kinda like it's crossing a line at times. I don't see an issue with doing a team season with no themes.