Second series of The Block not for the faint hearted

1.00pm - By FRANCES GRANT

The competing couples in the second series of The Block cannot complain about what they've let themselves in for. The first instalment of the Channel Nine show had it all: sweat, dirt, tears, tantrums and gay couple Gav and Wazza's underwear.

Still, one exhausted contestant in tonight's return of the hit Aussie reality-reno show (Prime, 7.30pm) cannot help let one whinge slip: "This is not a renovation show, this is Survivor."

This is certainly not a makeover show for the faint-hearted. Co-creator and executive producer David Barbour spells it out: "With this new series of The Block, some things are the same. Four couples move into four rundown apartments. But other things will never be the same again as these couples take renovating, scheming, tears, tantrums, love, hate and confrontation to heights we have not seen before."

As in the first series, the next four couples have been chosen for their looks as much as their renovation skills, although the producers have taken a risk this time - one of the females is actually a brunette.

The Block was the hottest reality show in Australia last year, with its breakout stars cute gay couple Gav and Wazza revelling in the limelight and the auctions of the finished apartments attracting thousands of spectators.

The new series is set in Manly but the set-up is the same. Four couples each take a rundown apartment in a block and must renovate it for a set budget and within a set period of time. They have to live there in the chaos and mess, and go about their day jobs at the same time. The couple that sells its apartment for the most gets the prize of A$100,000 ($116,750). Everyone gets to pocket any profit made. And the couples get lots and lots of presents to help them on their way in one of the most sponsored shows on the box.

Fortunately, there's another gay couple this round to create some relief from all the heterosexual bonding. But the latest pair doesn't look like promising comic relief a la Gav and Wazza.

Steve Starkey and Richard Sterry have made it clear they bear no resemblance to the kooky couple known collectively as "the boys". As an unnamed relative told the press, in a typically forthright Aussie manner: "They're not the sort of poofs that are all sucky, sucky, lovey, lovey sort of thing. Like when they see other poofs, they're like, 'Look at those poofs'."

Richard and Steve come from the Gold Coast, where their hobby seems to be visiting hotels that ooze class. A typical line of communication between the couple: "Do you really want to renovate in Armani?"

Their competition includes Melburnians Jane and Matt, who are confident the southern city's superior taste will win the day. These two promise one of the more interesting relationships on the show: "You call me anal, I'm anal in a different way," says one to the other. Pardon?

Muscle-bound Sydney couple, exhibitionists Kirsten and Jason, might take the crown if they can put as much buff and polish into the apartment as they do into their bods.

Monique and Dani could win the audience sympathy vote - the downhome Parramatta couple, on first meeting at least, come across like they've just stepped off the set of Neighbours.

But the couple hit the rocks at the outset, with the media revealing Dani has a criminal record for drugs. And the show, which began filming in January, has already run into trouble, with neighbours in the seaside Sydney suburb complaining about lack of parking and excessive noise. Still that's what you get with confrontational reno-reality shows: Neighbours from Hell with power tools and soft furnishings.