Channel Nine has been slammed after another season of Australian Ninja Warrior came to an end last night without anyone conquering Mount Midoriyama – despite copious publicity – and even a slogan – that strongly suggested to many viewers the mountain would be conquered this season.
WATCH: Fans FURIOUS after Golf nerd Charlie Robbins WINS Australian Ninja Warrior
The loophole that allowed the hype was the fact that alleged ‘golf nerd’ Charlie Robbins, 20, ended up pocketing $100,000 for being the fastest contestant. He did not, however, get anywhere near beating the mystical mount, which is repeatedly sold as the ultimate objective of the show.
Social media was deluged with furious fans who, despite the impressive win, apparently felt they’d been scammed – with one raging, ‘What a waste of time.’
Ranted as second, ‘Another year and no mountain climb, we’re never seeing that thing attempted.’
Another demanded of host Ben Fordham, ‘Please defend your ‘There will be a winner’ slogan.’
But Nine had their bases covered – with Charlie achieving the fastest time, he was named the ‘winner of the season’. Marketed as an unassuming ‘golf nerd’, complete with comedy wardrobe, the winner actually has a far more athletic history than that seemingly contrived image would allow.
With his fit body giving the game away to many viewers, the winner confirms that far from just being a golf club-swinging nerd, he was extremely well placed to do well on the course.
‘I’ve been doing gymnastics since I was four years old, and I started training on ninja-specific obstacles about two, two-and-a-half years ago,’ he told News.com.au. ‘When I was growing up, I played pretty much every sport — footy, cricket — but I ended up sticking with golf and gymnastics.’
News of Charlie’s background has been met with a predictable reaction on social media, with some viewers feeling misled.
While theatrics are a part of reality TV, the revelation might leave a bad taste in some viewers’ mouths. Do you feel ripped off?
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