The Block on Channel 9 – We’re into week seven on The Block and it’s only getting tougher.
Never fear: The winner of the charity house challenge makeover is decided tonight, and there’s a hefty dose of warm and fuzzies to be served up.
You know who isn’t feeling warm and fuzzy? Brett. “Leave me alone please,” he says, as the camera crew arrives for his pre-dawn close up. “Go harass someone else. For f–k’s sake.”
Brett explains he just wants a moment to take a [bleep] in private and for parents around Australia, it’s the most relatable thing Brett has said all season.
“Constantly having the camera in my face annoys me,” he adds.
It’s almost like Brett does not comprehend the concept of reality television.
Well yes, it’s exactly that.
“Have you watched the show?” Brett’s producer asks him.
“Not much,” Brett says without hesitation, and this explains so much.
A short time later, Foreman Dan decides to pay Brett a visit to discuss his morning mood. He reminds Brett the crew are simply doing their job and Brett knows an apology is in order. He hunts down his producer to issue one immediately.
Over in House 4, the sisters are swooning over their massive island bench. It’s bigger than their real-world apartment. They’re quietly loving their kitchen, as it begins to come together smoothly. (Watch this space, that zen doesn’t last long.)
House 1 are also delighted with their kitchen, particularly their skylights. They’re about to find out what hosts Scott Cam and Shelley Craft think of the room, as they arrive on site to offer up some valuable feedback.
“You inspire people around Australia to put curves in,” Scott tells Kyle and Leslie, who beam back at him in response. It’s nice to see them smiling again, after a tough start to the week.
Down the road in House 4, Steph and Gian explain to Scott and Shelley why they made the move they did to flip their original plans. Along with a better indoor/outdoor flow, they also wanted a larger butler’s pantry.
But is it too big? “Who has this much stuff?” Shelley asks incredulously when she sees the actual butler’s pantry in all its large glory.
At House 2, Shelley is rattled by the mess they’ve made of their winning living space. Leah and Ash haven’t even put down a drop sheet to protect their furniture and Shelley is stunned by the lack of respect afforded to the quality items.
“That’s not cool, at all,” she says firmly. “I don’t get cranky often but that’s so sad! It just upsets me.”
But at House 5, they have an indestructible bench top that can cope with all manner of mess. Eliza explains they’ve even been testing trying to scratch it with keys, and haven’t managed to make a single mark.
Scott is really only interested in how much the bench cost. “Your budget is cooked,” he says bluntly. He warns they will imminently get an official intervention from CommBank and Scotty himself.
But nothing can dampen Eliza’s vibes. She’s buzzing with confidence and hopeful for a win this week, perhaps even a 10.
Kristy and Brett are also gunning for glory. They proudly show their own secret weapon to Scott and Shelley, a ‘rise and fall’ splash back.
“What’s not to be impressed about?” Kristy enthuses.
They’re hopeful their bench will stun the judges. They have a huge, stunning natural piece of stone going in and they’re also hopeful for a budget–boosting 10.
Scott asks if their budget for the room is within the vicinity of $20,000. “We’re spending about $40,000,” Kristy shoots back.
“Right,” says Scotty.
But Kristy and Brett won’t be around to supervise every step of the build, as they’re heading back to Bayside Community Information and Support Service to finish work on the charity house they’ve been remodelling all week.
The outdoor team of Steph, Gian, Kyle and Leslie are a picture of harmony as they put the final touches on their zone. But the interior team (of everyone else) is scrambling to finish. For Eliza and Liberty, however, the chaos is completely normal. They’re used to working down to the wire.
Leah admits she is overwhelmed by how much needs to be done. That includes the storage of 250 pre–made meals, courtesy of Lite n’ Easy. They’ve arrived to stock up the new fridges and it’s a styling choice the Blockheads are very pleased with.
As Leah unpacks sponsor provided freebies into her Kinsman installed kitchen, she notes the outdoor team has been given a huge boost with the assistance of Dave Franklin and his landscaping team. She also somehow fails to notice the free carpet being laid by Carpet Court, blinds being hung by DIY Blinds and the help of the Nine in Six crew, as she pleads for carpenter assistance.
“The outdoor team didn’t really put much effort in,” Kristy agrees. “It was indoor team vs ‘Dave Franklin’s team’.”
But the pride in their work helps take the edge off. Kristy manages to squash those prickly feelings for a small moment of joy, as the teams cheer the conclusion of the challenge.
While the overall result is, of course the stunning new charity house, there is also a winner of this challenge. The victorious team will score $10,000 to share.
The centre’s executive officer Rose and our own judge Darren Palmer join Scott and Shelley to inspect the spaces.
“It’s so plush,” Deb breathes, noting how soothing and comforting the interior is.
All the interior spaces are functional and inviting and Deb is wowed. The kitchen is just as impressive as the consultation rooms. Deb notes that people often come to the centre on “the worst day of their life” and this sort of tranquil but practical area is just what is needed to offer them support.
Heading outside, Deb is chuffed to see huge amounts of lockable storage. When she sees the gorgeous, low–maintenance garden, she’s almost lost for words. There is a space for staff to relax and clients who are stressed to sit and have a chat. “It’s going to offer us a whole extra area to do our work in,” she explains.
Darren tells the team they did an overwhelmingly fantastic job, inside and out. But the interior team is the one who has taken the win and that should make them exceptionally happy (and quite possibly stop the mentions of Dave Franklin, who knows?)
The teams whip back to The Block, all with enormous to–do lists. Liberty gets stuck straight into the mammoth amount of painting the sisters need to achieve and Eliza gets busy painting something else… her nails.
While her sister slaves away with a roller, Eliza is busy getting her paint–splattered hands and toes tended at the local nail salon. She reasons her nails were in desperate need of maintenance… but also adds she feels most at home being treated as the queen she is. (Her words).
Hard-working Liberty is decidedly unimpressed, noting it is the most important week for them so far. When Liberty tells their producer she was busy working solo for several hours, Eliza yelps.
“Oh… my… dramatic… God,” she drawls, rolling her eyes at her sister’s martyrdom.
Eliza tells Liberty she too, had the option to duck out for a massage and nail session. “You cut off your nose to spite your face,” Eliza shares.
“I’m choosing what’s important!” Liberty fires back. “I haven’t done one single nice thing for myself since I’ve been on The Block.“
“I would have never ever been so selfish,” Liberty says, matter-of-factly. “I guess that just shows where our priorities lie as individuals.”
But Eliza’s flawless manicure is destroyed in record timing. Despite her protesting, she feels guilty for abandoning her sister and fuelled by a quick feast of sweet and sour sauce (and nothing else), she paints well into the wee hours. 
The guilt may have gone… but so has the fresh manicure.
Hands paint splattered once more, chaos fully embraced, order is restored in House 5.
The Block on Nine and 9Now airs Sunday at 7.00pm and Monday to Wednesday at 7.30pm. Catch up on all the latest episodes on 9Now.
This recap has been used with permission from Channel 9
Special thanks to Lulu Wilkinson at Nine.
Link to 9Now HERE
Link to Lulu’s full recap including with extra video content and info HERE
The Block on Channel 9
About The Block
Get ready, Australia. The Block, the number one renovation reality program, returns for an incredible 19th season on Sunday, August 6, at 7.00pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Set in the family-friendly Melbourne suburb of Hampton East, the new series features five houses designed and built in the 1950s and located on the aptly named Charming Street. These grand old dames are now aged in their 70s and way overdue for a contemporary update.
For the first time in Block history, host Scott Cam will be providing contestants with the full renovation schedule ahead of time this season. So get your cameras out, Blockheads, it’s photo time.
Adding to the year of Block firsts and amping up the stakes at play during the 48-hour House Decider Challenge, contestants will be seeing all finished designs of the houses on Day 1. Who will prevail and get the house of their choice?
Not only will they get the schedule and designs up front, but in another first, they’ll receive their entire budgets as well.
However, the Blockheads will soon find out that it’s not all smooth sailing when renovating an original 1950s home – structural issues, extreme weather events, and a mountain of demolition will test our five keen couples every step of the way.
Plus, The Block’s state-versus-state rivalry will be amplified by the sheer closeness of the houses this year. Who knew being able to peak into your neighbours builds would cause such tension?
The couples in contention are: sisters Eliza and Liberty Paschke (personal assistant, 37, and integration producer, 34, VIC); parents Kyle and Leslie Cottone (firefighter, 36, and teaching aide, 34, WA); parents Leah and Ash Milton (first aid officer, 31, and builder, 36, QLD); married couple Kristy and Brett Beames (project manager, 34, and safety officer, 34, SA); and newlyweds Steph and Gian Ottavio (architect, 27, and start up worker, 27, NSW).
Real estate expert Marty Fox isn’t the only new addition to the lineup this season. The formidable foremen Keith Schleiger and Dan Reilly will be joined on site with the fan favourite from last year, Tom Calleja.
The nation fell in love with Tom and his wife Sarah-Jane because of their work ethic and relatable marital bickering, and he jumped at the chance to work with Scotty and come back as this year’s official Block plumber.
The designs of the amazing homes in this series again come from The Block’s resident architect, Julian Brenchley.
At stake is $100,000 for the overall winner of The Block, on top of any profit the five couples can all make on the critical auction day. Plus bragging rights for the winners’ state.
Since premiering on Channel 9 in 2003, Australia’s richest reality program has awarded a total of $32,592,807.65 in prizemoney.
The Block – on Channel 9 and 9Now
Media Release – Nine
TV Central Nine content HERE
