The Project staff stunned by ‘low’ act on the day they were all sacked – and the farewell speech that reveals exactly why the show failed… Plus, disaster strikes the new season of Married At First Sight: TV INSIDER

The day The Project died

Without a doubt, the most talked-about media event this week is Channel Ten’s long-awaited cancellation of their struggling current affairs program, The Project.

It wasn’t a complete shock when showrunner Beverley McGarvey put Ten’s content to rest outside on Monday, as Inside Mail had hinted at its downfall in March. However, it seems that those within the organization were caught off guard by this move.

It appears that the executives and primary speakers had been aware of the show’s termination for several weeks, choosing instead to keep the information confidential. This left the regular staff unaware, forcing them to learn about their upcoming circumstances from news websites.

So, who knew what and when? 

Chris Bendall, as executive producer, had been informed well in advance. Similarly, Waleed Aly and Sarah Harris, the show’s hosts, also knew the upcoming change. However, the rest of the star panelists remained oblivious to the impending decision.

Over the weekend, some people informed their friends that rumors about the show being canceled were false, and the program would continue as planned.

People who thought The Project would endure had a solid basis for their confidence, given that McGarvey had consistently supported it. It was common knowledge that she continued to broadcast it long past its expiration date out of personal attachment.

Before the announcement on the weekend, the staff were filled with such uncertainty about what might transpire that they even reached out to colleagues in competing networks for any potential news updates.

The individuals in authority didn’t seem to be providing responses due to a concern that anxiety might erupt at the production office located in South Yarra, Melbourne. Alternatively, they appeared not to respond out of worry that panic would ensue at the Melbourne office in South Yarra.

Come Monday morning, the dreaded scenarios of employees unfolded as a group email popped up in their inboxes, signaling an impending 11:30 am gathering.

They knew what was coming.

In this gathering, as usual, speeches were delivered, tears were shed, and employees congratulated each other for a job well done. McGarvey addressed the assembled staff, explaining that discussions about discontinuing operations had been ongoing for years, and he attributed its decline to younger generations shifting away from free-to-air TV towards various platforms and alternative services.

It has been reported that some individuals accused ‘haters’ for causing the demise of the show, without considering the impact of its poor viewership figures.

Today, their tears have morphed into fury as the team acknowledges they now have just three weeks left to secure new employment, as opportunities for television work in Melbourne are limited.

10 NEWS+’s replacement show, a current affairs investigative program, will be broadcast from Sydney, with hosts Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace, who previously worked for Seven, at the helm.

Not only unemployed employees will feel the impact; the cancellation of The Project will also negatively affect the financial health of Roving Enterprises, a production company jointly owned by Rove McManus and Craig Campbell. This company earns millions annually through its partnership with Ten.

It’s quite possible that Roving Enterprises might have to shut down entirely, or at least drastically cut back on its activities.

Approximately fifty individuals are involved in The Project, and regrettably, in just three weeks, everyone will find themselves unemployed. Despite any opinions on the show, this situation is truly unfortunate, and we extend our best wishes to them all.

As one insider told Inside Mail: ‘It just would have been nice to have more notice. It feels low.

It’s surprising when a series, which has been on air for 16 years, is abruptly cancelled with just a few weeks left before its scheduled end date. The suddenness of it all has taken everyone by shock.

Ten declined to comment. Roving Enterprises was contacted for comment. 

MAFS drama… already?

The 13th season of Married At First Sight is about to start filming soon, yet according to production sources, the cast hasn’t been finalized just yet as reported by Ali Daher.

This week, EndemolShine Australia has issued a new call for applications, implying that some couples who are still looking for their perfect match might not have found each other yet.

If you’re unattached, seeking romance, and willing to trust the professionals, shoot me a direct message right away!

‘They’re still scrambling for both brides and grooms,’ a well-placed source reveals.

This year, there’s considerable expectation for them to bring a stellar cast, however, they haven’t secured the main figures just yet.

To be frank, there’s a palpable urgency amongst the producers as they strive for flawless casting. They’ve exhausted many potential choices, only to have promising candidates withdraw at the last minute.

Every year, there’s a push from every direction to provide more diversity and fewer contentious issues, yet producers understand that controversial, complex, and engaging singles tend to boost viewership and audience interaction.

On the other hand, Nine has unequivocally emphasized to EndemolShine that they should avoid any grooms with a criminal history. In fact, they are also adamant about excluding individuals who may have been through court proceedings but were declared not guilty.

According to a source, this year, Nine is taking their background checks very seriously, and the applicants are undergoing an extensive verification process.

Despite my previous remarks, it’s clear they aren’t opting for a tame performance. Instead, they crave excitement and flair, yet they’re cautious not to provide fuel for the show’s detractors following such a contentious season this year.

Back-from-the-dead dating show wreaks havoc

After being stuck in development limbo for the past two years, a reality TV series modeled after Married at First Sight is now set to air, with filming completed long ago.

Stranded on Honeymoon Island was shot in 2023 and presumed dead after failing to air.

However, since Seven invested heavily in acquiring the series, they are committed to maximizing their return, resulting in a new version of the show featuring Jackie ‘O’ Henderson as the narrator. This updated edition will debut this month on both Channel Seven and 7Plus.

The problem is… it’s been two years and all the contestants have moved on.

A few of them are either married or in relationships, thinking the program was long gone. Now, they find themselves filled with dread as they fear their tranquil lives could be disrupted.

A cast member shared with me that they had been informed the upcoming event would be larger than Married at First Sight. Later, they were given word, “It might not even be broadcasted.” Consequently, many of them moved forward with their daily lives.

‘There are contestants on that show who are totally different people today.

Some are already married, while others are preparing for their wedding. Experiencing it once was hard enough. Now, I find myself needing to discuss this entire journey with my upcoming partner and their relatives.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but wonder why Stranded on Honeymoon Island seemed to languish unread for quite some time on my bookshelf. It appears that one perspective suggests it simply didn’t resonate with early readers.

But we are told it’s a quality product – as least as far as trashy dating shows are concerned.

After giving it a good cleaning and making some adjustments, it’s now acceptable. In essence, it resembles Married at First Sight set in an isolated location, completely disconnected from the outside world. Things can get quite complicated there.

Golden opportunities for Bachelor

Despite not having a set release date for “The Golden Bachelor”, its star, Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden, is already busy and active in preparation.

A charismatic, experienced gentleman is networking with past Bachelors and Married at First Sight grooms to grasp the strategies for influence and transform a television stint into a long-term media occupation.

According to an inside source, he’s been making the rounds. In other words, he’s already setting up his content schedule in advance and trying to stay one step ahead.

Myrden is considering partnering with a protein powder company and aiming to get involved in popular “bro podcasts.” In addition, he has inquired about representation for potential television opportunities.

Not here to make friends, Sam? 

Behind its appealing image as a heartwarming romance for the mature audience, “The Golden Bachelor” had a somewhat cooler and less cuddly reality off-screen.

There was a chill in the air between host Samantha Armytage and the female stars of the show, with one team member characterizing the atmosphere as ‘pleasant but frosty’.

They shared that she seemed disconnected from the other women. Some felt she appeared somewhat condescending, although this wasn’t likely intentional. For the most part, she tended to keep her distance and only became more outgoing when the cameras were present.

Armytage, stepping into Osher Günsberg’s role, is reportedly feeling a bit frustrated with the contestants due to their perceived lack of vigor.

A significant number of women appeared less than enthusiastic about Bear, yet they showed great interest in appearing on television.

Legal twist in case of missing TV farmer

Readers accustomed to Inside Mail may recall Jack Rowlandson, the farmer from Farmer Wants a Wife who became somewhat of a long-lasting spectacle.

This year, surprisingly, the 26-year-old bull rider hailing from Oberon did not appear in the show, even though he had been included in the initial cast announcement and filmed much of the season.

In early June, the network announced that they would not feature Jack Rowlandson’s plotline in the upcoming season, without providing a reason for this decision.

Now, we can reveal the reality TV drama has escalated into a legal matter.

Several competitors have been issued a formal notice advising them to cease criticizing Jack’s reputation, or they could face legal action. Insiders close to the production report that the women involved are deeply concerned and alarmed by this unexpected intensification.

Jack maintains that he is unjustifiably singled out and yearns for the entire situation to resolve itself. In a recent conversation, he expressed, “The amount of false information circulating is alarming. If only I hadn’t consented to participate in the program.

So what happened?

It’s been mentioned that during the filming last year, there were rumors suggesting that Jack wasn’t entirely prepared for a permanent commitment.

There were also rumours of certain images, taken during filming, circulating among the cast.

On November 17th, Eureka sent a letter to everyone in the cast, cautioning them that the photos might be considered ‘intimate images’ as per NSW law. They were advised to ‘remove them promptly’, and it was emphasized that ‘not doing so could lead to significant legal repercussions’.

The photographs didn’t lead to any police investigation, and no one is being implicated in misconduct. However, it’s worth noting that substantial funds – approximately 10,000 dollars – were used for re-shooting certain scenes following the decision by Seven and Eureka to revise Jack’s storyline.

Concerning Jack, he laments leaving his livestock unattended for two whole months, which turned out to be the most significant regret of his existence, as it was related to the filming.

‘I just want it to be over,’ he said quietly. ‘I didn’t sign up for this.’

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2025-06-13 17:50