If you had to summarise Australian reality television you would be likely to say something along the lines of “uh, cooking and renovating houses. Oh and Fitzy. Yeah.”
For the last decade that’s exactly what we’ve been seeing each weeknight on our TV screens: demolition and desserts. I never really got into any of the Masterchef’s or the Blocks (and don’t get me started on Big Brother), but I did sit down and religiously glue my eyes to the box when House Rules came on.
And now Channel Seven has gone and broken my heart. They’ve axed the show.
There was just something different about the contestants on House Rules. Yes, there would always be one bitchy couple who wanted more floor/wall/cupboard space and refused to compromise, but then there would be the Bronik and Corrine's of the world who were young, in love and just wanted a head start. Or there would be the great Aussie battlers like Russell and Carole of last year's season who may have been missing a tooth or two (ahem, Russell), but you wanted them to win anyway because they were retiring and greatful to the youngsters for keeping them real or something.
And now that's gone.
Seven's program chief Angus Ross made the rude bold decision in an attempt to one-up channels nine and ten with a host of "spectacular new shows." Mr Ross revealed that the new series of House Rules, already filmed for late 2015, won’t go to air this year as a result.
“This is a big roll of the dice for Seven, but we believe it will revitalise the network and restore faith in their programming prowess,” media analyst Steve Allen said.
I think it's a very big, dangerous roll of the dice. My mum even started renovating our house, complete with "paint nights", making frequent trips to Masters (not sure if she drove a red Nissan but the possibility is there) and fighting over colour swatches with my dad. House Rules got her excited about pillows, art pieces and bathroom basins. And that's why I'll be sad to see it go.
Seven will also be axing the quiz show Million Dollar Minute but I'm less fussed about that one because it does not include even the slightest hint of paint or pears or Fitzy.
Am I being overly dramatic or was House Rules your favourite show too?
Want to see some funny House Rules memes? Right this way.
