Nine’s Beauty And The Geek Is A MAFS Palate Cleanser With Heart

Nine’s Beauty And The Geek is a nice palate cleanser to the insanity and genius of Married At First and this season has seen the show lean even further into wholesome vibes and away from high drama.
The show’s executive producer, AJ Johnson (main photo), is a real fan of the concept and explains that the format lends itself to some really sweet moments: “It’s a show where people get to watch worlds collide and learn from each other,” he explained.
watching beauty and the geek and it’s so nice to watch a reality show that isn’t based on hurting peoples feelings, like what a change of pace
— nic (@nictendo64) July 25, 2022
Johnson’s also proud of the redevelopment of the show, before the Sophie Monk era and rejig. The ‘Geek’ contestants felt embellished. These days, the ‘Geeks’ consist of men who seem like the kind of guys you know, and it does make for a more realistic viewing.
Johnson told B&T, “The geeks have changed so much, and geeks rule the world now! So we needed to look at how we were representing them.”
“The show has some truly beautiful moments where people reveal the truth and talk about their rough runs”, he explained.

Beauty And The Geek
Still, despite the show’s warm vibes, it hasn’t done as well this year as last. It’s been down in the ratings and in comparison to Married At First Sight, which is the opposite of wholesome. It isn’t reaching those numbers.
Johnson attributes the downswing in ratings to consumer habits. It is true the way people watch shows has changed. Families aren’t camped around their television; they are on laptops, tablets and streaming in their rooms.
He said: “Ratings are down across the board this year, compared to last year. But I expect our BVOD to be massive.”
Johnson’s assumption is correct; the show is seeing a huge lift in BVOD, so while the show might be drawing between 400k-500k on average, it’s reaching about 700k+ on BVOD. This means the show is still reaching a very big audience.
Beauty And The Geek still has a very strong audience, and the revamped format is now being used across the world. Something Johnson rightfully takes great pride in, and he said: “They’ve taken our redevelopment and are using it across the world.
“This season, it felt like we learnt from last season and saw what worked and refined it.”
It also doesn’t hurt that the show has Sophie Monk as a host, who always brings warmth and charisma to everything she does, but why is she such a perfect fit for Beauty And The Geek? Well, Johnson puts that down to a few things, “I think she brings a bit of both! She brings beauty and geek. She’s genuinely invested in the show, and that shines through,” he said.

Sophie Monk
So what are Johnson’s hopes and dreams for the show? Well, they are pretty bloody wholesome. He just wants to keep making a show he loves, “We want this to continue for years; we feel like this new format and how we’ve adapted it with Nine is working well,” he explained.
And honestly what’s more beautiful and geeky than that?
Latest News

Why Are We Still Banging Our Heads Against The Glass Ceiling?
In this guest post, Azadeh Williams, the founder and managing director of AZK Media. Candidly shares with B&T how she’s gone up against the glass ceiling and what she has learned. Williams (main photo) has consistently been recognised as B&T’s Women in Media and Women Leading Technology. She’s a force within the industry, with a […]

Samba TV Report: Half Of Aussie Households Still Watch Linear TV
Report finds 50% of Aussies still watch linear TV. Meaning half are missing out on Sunrise's Cash Cow.

Repco Roars Into 100th Birthday With New Campaign Via Thinkerbell
Thinkerbell could've gone with the Queen penning a letter for Repco's 100th, but as you'll see here, it didn't.

AAMI Launches “Bargain Regret” Campaign Via Ogilvy Melbourne
If you've ever holidayed in Kuta or dined at a local leagues club, you'll soon empathise with this 'bargain regret' ad.

Apple Forced To Remove All ‘Made In Taiwan’ Stickers Amid Latest China Crisis
Apple forced to appease the Chinese over Taiwan. Meanwhile, Australia just bans Huawei outright.

Richard Wilkins Breaks Down In Karl Stefanovic’s Arms Paying Tribute To Olivia Newton-John
Richard's tears were tears for a nation at Olivia's passing. But let's just hope 'Physical' doesn't re-enter the charts.

InsideOut PR Wins Prestige InHome Care Account
Sydney PR agency InsideOut PR has been appointed for Prestige InHome Care, an in-home aged care service with a focus on media relations. InsideOut PR worked with Prestige Inhome Care back in 2013 and again in 2017 launching their public relations and advertising program; and supporting their growing profile in the market. Founder and CEO […]

Monday TV Wrap: The Block Nails Entertainment Again, But Seven Builds To Win
Commonwealth Games done & dusted for another four years. So now we can all go back to being disinterested in running.

Foxtel Records 4.4 Million Paid Subscribers As Q4 Numbers Released
Patrick Delaney enjoying a fruit basket from the Murdochs this morning as Foxtel posts impressive gains.

CHEP Promotes Amy Weston To ECD
Amy Weston to lie awake at 3am during all of CHEP's pitches after being named agency ECD.

Foxtel, Ad Spends & REA Send News Corp’s Profit & Revenues To Record Highs
Poor Rupert's divorce just went up an extra billion or two more after News announces record profits overnight.

“We’ve Taken A Few Bets!” 10 Supremo Beverley McGarvey On Content, Wins & Demos
10 chief Beverley McGarvey mercifully tells B&T she has no plans to defrost Rove, Kyle or the Honey Badger anytime soon.

Stan And Sony Pictures Team Up For Major TV Partnership
Stan and Sony Pictures unveil new content deal that thankfully won't see the return of any Fast & Furious movies.

TBWA\Sydney Lands Golden Circle Account Via Kraft Heinz
B&T has refrained from making jokes about the effects of pineapple juice here. Admittedly, we did do it in the office.

“An Amazing Challenge!” The Block’s EP Talks Going Bush & Introducing Dinner Parties
B&T chats with The Block EP Julian Cress. Sadly, Scott Cam's outrageous rider failed to get a mention.

Edge Wins Charles Darwin University’s Creative
In a pitch that could possibly be described as survival of the fittest, Edge has nabbed Charles Darwin Uni's creative.

We Are Social Names Susie Hogarth As Global Head Of Cultural Insights
We Are Social is bolstering its cultural insights offering with the promotion of Susie Hogarth (lead image) to the role of global head of cultural insights. Hogarth, the former senior research and cultural insights director for We Are Social UK, takes over the global role from Lore Oxford who has left the company. Hogarth will […]

WeAre8 Unveils Commercial Partners & Launch Of App
New kid on the block, WeAre8, wastes no time revealing impressive client list. Includes a little bit of showboating too.

G Squared Names New Head Of Strategy & Head Of SEO & Content
G Squared ramps up its strategy, SEO & content offerings. And its morning smoothies with the addition of new Bamix.

The Reload Group Names Marnie Whitten As Global Director Of Innovation
Admittedly, a few interlopers have snuck into this press photo, but rest assured that's Marnie Whitten front & centre.

SCA Partners With Macca’s To Offer AFL & NRL Friday Night Game Scores Inside Audio Ad
This announcement includes McDonald's and the footy results. So it's bound to upset some readers.

State of Australian Media Report Reveals 10 Major Industry Trends
Fancy a colleague? Need an icebreaker to get the conversation started? Steal freely from this media trends report.

CX Lavender Nabs Orchard’s Adam Washington As CEO
Orchard's Adam Washington jumps ship to CX Lavender in arguably one of the industry's more horticultural moves.

Blockheads Rejoice! The Official Block Podcast Is Here
In the wake of The Block returning on Sunday night, 9Podcasts has announced the launch of The Official Block Podcast, hosted by Shelley Craft. The new production will run alongside the 18th season of The Block, in which five teams must each build a 500-square metre homestead, with a room reveal every Sunday night. The […]

PHD Melbourne Announces Senior Promotions
PHD Melbourne has expanded its leadership team. With some team members expanding after the boardroom muffins.

Behaviour Change – Expecting The Unexpected
Here's pro tips for brands looking for behavioural change. Could possibly also work on lazy, cleaning-phobic partners.

TBWA\Melbourne, Thinkerbell & More Announced As Finalists For The Rigg Design Prize 2022
The first major exhibition of advertising and communication design in the NGV’s history, The Rigg Design Prize 2022 highlights the creativity underpinning the work of eight leading Australian-based agencies. For the exhibition, each agency will develop a suite of campaign assets – including billboards, street posters and moving image – to celebrate how creativity can […]

Queen Charles Launches In Sydney, Aiming To Shake Up The Consultancy Market
After 11 months of quietly building up their new business Queen Charles, Alex Carr (pictured, left) and Jon Kelly (pictured, right) have finally found enough time to launch their brand and experience consultancy to the wider market. Based in Sydney, Queen Charles aims to help businesses of all shapes and sizes consistently stand out and […]

The Stock Merchant Provisions And The Offices Launch Colourful New Canned Fish Packaging
Canned fish is a top source of omega-3 fats & B2, B3, B6 and B12, all while giving you the halitosis of a stray cat.

“Means F@cking Nothing!” Tony Armstrong Talks Winning A Logie
Surely if there's anything sacrosanct in the Australian TV industry it's Bert's wigs, Kerri-Anne's Botox & the Logie?

9News Perth Pinches Gareth Parker As News Director
Gareth Parker promising more Eagles, Freo and iron ore stories, as he moves to new role at 9News Perth.

Teal MP Sophie Scamps Takes Aim At Junk Food Advertising
Junk food advertising to kids back under the spotlight. Yet again, bad parenting choices escaping said spotlight.

“Grow Some Balls!” Snickers Facing Global Boycott Following Snivelling Chinese Apology Over Taiwan
Of all the potential triggers for WWIII, few would've suspected it would be the nutty, caramelly goodness of a Snickers.

Total TV Advertising Market Up 11%, As BVOD Continues To Surge
TV ad spends prove to be in rude health. Which should translate to even ruder long lunches for TV bosses.

Michael Bass Named New Chief Trading Officer For Dentsu APAC
Dentsu International has announced the appointment of Michael Bass (pictured) as chief trading officer, media, Dentsu Asia Pacific. With over 20 years’ experience, Bass’ career has included a range of senior investment and trading roles across the media sector. Bass spent seven years at IPG Mediabrands as trading director of Initiative and subsequently moved on […]

Sunday TV Wrap: The Block Hammers Out The Competition In Big Debut
The Block debuts to strong numbers, as Scott Cam set to publish his collected works of Logies acceptance speeches.