That didn’t happen because Agni “forgot” to bring it.
The result? Yellow scored 18, one ahead of Team Purple’s Chlo and Em, with Orange third on 12.5 and Blue continuing their headless chicken act in fourth on six.
Yet another Yellow victory was about as popular among their rival teams as One Direction being the support act at a Metallica concert.
“That’s the most muted response of congratulations,” show host Mark Richardson said.
Richardson poured salt into the gaping wound by pointing out that had Orange had the “undo”, there would have been a tie for first.
“I do feel stink,” Amy later said, referring to Purple going so close but receiving no cigar.
“Maybe we shouldn’t have played the minus-1,” said Stu, referring to the -1 card they earned from another challenge, which they played to counteract tactics of the other teams.
“I didn’t feel that stink,” replied Amy. “That money was too big this week not to use it.”
Bottom line. If there had been no tactics, no cards played, if it had relied simply on the judges’ scores, Team Yellow still would have won.
But that’s in a black and white world. Throw in a cocktail of personalities, a burning desire to succeed and the stress that intensifies under mounting pressure, and you get what The Block NZ is about. Entertainment.
On top of Room Reveal, teams got to judge each other’s rooms for a $2000 prize, which, of course, Yellow were never going to get.
“Slightly underwhelmed,” a claws-out Claire said of Yellow’s room while Palmerston North native Em made the caustic comment that “it’s like we’re in Gisborne” — which, depending on how you take it, is a bit rich seeing as she comes from a place once described as “remarkably unremarkable” and “painfully boring”.
Yellow, clearly aware at least two teams wouldn’t be marking them high, ended up playing a key part in Blue winning it, and pouring petrol on the fire of frustration already fiercely burning inside Purple.
Stu and Amy gave the Blue boys a perfect 10 and they won with a score of 23 — half a point ahead of Purple.
Asked by Richardson why a 10 for a room the judges marked a combined six out of 20, Amy said: “Because we like them and they need the money.”
Richardson: “Your pity . . .
Amy: “Not pity.”
Richardson: “ . . . has once again cost the girls.”
Amy: “They did give us a one last week.”
That appeared to be lost on the girls, with Em later breaking down and crying for her mummy.
A ruthless Block critic might have suggested she swallow some cement and harden the #$@% up. But after Purple’s multiple near-misses and generally efficient but predominantly Palmerston North-unremarkable efforts over seven long weeks, one did have a semblance of sympathy for their plight.
That losing streak could change in week eight in which the teams are tasked to produce their garage and storage room.
But you can probably bet the farm plus your bottom dollar this week won’t end in a sixth victory for Gizzy Hard, thanks to a special challenge — Block Stars Week.
Each of the four teams have to give a live performance of a randomly selected theme.
Stu and Amy drew ventriloquism; Team Purple’s Chlo and Em a circus act; Team Blue’s Tom and Ben a theatre performance and Team Orange’s Claire and Agni a comedy show.
“That’s going to be tough for them (Orange),” Yellow builder Dave Wallace said when told of the challenge. “I don’t think he’s (Agni) cracked a joke so far.”
The winners not only add $10,000 to their house base budget of $120,000, they also get to remove another team from the running for Room Reveal. That strongly suggests that if Team Yellow don’t win the challenge, they’ll be sitting RR out.
On last night’s performance — Yellow went first — it’s heading towards a foregone conclusion, particularly if Orange or Purple win.
Their double act, complete with dummies, did not exactly bring the house down in front of an audience and challenge judges and radio hosts Jason Gunn and Jay-Jay Feeney.
One act down; three to go.
Ear plugs, anyone?
