Leila McKinnon says MAFS producers aren’t ‘smart enough’ to fake a storyline or use hired actors

Married At First Sight‘s producers have long been accused of manufacturing drama and faking storylines tor boost ratings.

But on Tuesday, fill-in Today host Leila McKinnon left her co-anchor Karl Stefanovic cringing as she rubbished claims the Channel Nine dating show is staged.

While interviewing ‘bride’ Beck Zemek, the 48-year-old said the show isn’t scripted because producers aren’t ‘smart enough’ to fabricate a storyline or use hired actors.

That’s awkward! Fill-in Today host Leila McKinnon (right) left her co-anchor Karl Stefanovic (left) cringing on Tuesday as she rubbished claims Married At First Sight is staged

‘A lot of people say to me it’s all set up and Bryce [Ruthven] is a plant and that it’s all scripted and everything is manipulated,’ she said.

‘But I know that they’re not really that clever at the show and they are not that organised. They just watch it unfold themselves.’

Leila’s co-host Karl was shocked and used a pillow to cover his face as he giggled.

Leila began her career as a journalist with Nine back in 1995 and is married to former Channel Nine boss David Gyngell.

‘They’re not really that clever’: While interviewing Rebecca Zemek, Leila claimed the show isn’t scripted because producers aren’t ‘smart enough’ to fake a storyline or use hired actors

It comes after a New Idea magazine insider alleged that the experts are ‘essentially producers’ puppets and have to act out scenes, occasionally wear earpieces and do as they’re told.’

Last month, Rebecca Zemek also claimed most viewers think Channel Nine’s Married At First Sight is a ‘documentary rather than a real show’.

The Perth business manager told Today Extra, that fans don’t believe MAFS is ‘real’ as she reflected on her portrayal on the show.

That’s unexpected! Leila’s co-host Karl was shocked and used a pillow to cover his face as he giggled

‘It’s hard to watch back. I think there is a lot of people out there that think this is a documentary rather than a TV show,’ the 27-year-old said.

Beck went on to say it’s important for the participants to reflect on their behaviour and ‘grow from it’.

‘However if you’re not going to take it with a pinch of salt and reflect on things then you are not really going to grow from it.’

She continued: ‘Watching back I think you can only reflect on what did happen and go from that.’

Claims: It comes after a New Idea magazine insider alleged that the experts are ‘essentially producers’ puppets and have to act out scenes, occasionally wear earpieces and do as they’re told’