It takes a certain type of person to front up to interviews that will be judged by millions of Australians after a controversial reality TV story arc. They usually fall into two camps: apologetic or defensively stubborn.
It takes a certain type of person to front up to interviews that will be judged by millions of Australians after a controversial reality TV story arc. They usually fall into two camps: apologetic or defensively stubborn.
The second episode of MAFS: After The Dinner Party, hosted by Jules Lund, Laura Byrne and Brittany Hockley, gave us both versions. We saw a teary Bec Zacharia who apologised for her diabolical antics at a dinner party, where she tried to torch everyone’s relationships. And then there was an unflinching Tyson Gordon, the new intruder groom, who ticks every box of the playbook for the controversial alpha male.
So what happens when two of Australia’s most contentious new TV stars sit down with interviewers who have seen, dodged and dismantled it all before? A reckoning of sorts.
Here’s what you missed on MAFS: After The Dinner Party.
Tyson learns the meaning of the word ‘submissive’
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I’m not going to lie. I would pay good money to watch a live debate featuring Laura Byrne and Tyson Gordon. Not because his outdated viewpoints need another platform, but just because it would be a spectacle more entertaining than the actual MAFS dinner party.
Tyson has quickly cemented his place as one of the most-disliked grooms of all time, which is no easy feat after appearing in only three episodes. From his anguish at “woke” culture to his fear of feminism and women with green hair, Tyson is the manosphere in walking, talking form. He wants to be a provider, wants a “submissive” wife and don’t even get the man started on his new wife’s Steph’s scary masculine energy. (She has a career that she loves and doesn’t blindly agree with everything he says.)
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This is why watching him explain his viewpoints on the couch to Laura and Brittany, successful women in high-powered jobs and non-traditional marriages, made for stellar TV.
In one memorable moment, as Laura educated Tyson on the literal, dictionary-defined meaning of the word “submissive” (compliant and obedient), he said, “You’re kinda talking down to me.”
It quickly turned into a game of semantics. Tyson dodged the definition of submissive while saying he wants to be the “leader of the house”. Laura asked if he wants someone submissive and obedient. Tyson avoided the question again by asking Laura if she thinks it’s controlling that he wants to be the leader. She told him to get a dog if he wants an obedient presence in his life.
Tyson believes every woman needs a ‘traditional’ man like him
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Despite the ongoing disagreement of the definition of “submissive”, Tyson admitted he should have just used the word “traditional” instead. He said he doesn’t want his future wife to feel like a “slave” or a “dog”, and she doesn’t have to be at home cooking or cleaning all day.
“I don’t want a dog. I want to be the man of the house. I want to be a leader,” he said. “I’m sure every female wants that.”
Tyson was left confused as to why the women were laughing at him. In his world, it’s pretty clear: a woman can work until she has his baby, and then she can stay at home so he can provide. It’s tradition, apparently.
Tyson can say something with confidence, but that doesn’t make it true
From the definition of “submissive” and “traditional”, to the argument around “body count” when it comes to men and women, there’s one conclusion from this interview: Just because you believe something, it doesn’t make it factual.
For example, Tyson believes it’s OK for men to have a higher body count (number of sexual partners) than women because it’s biology. “I feel like men and women lie about their body count,” he said. “A woman usually halves it and a man usually doubles it.”
It’s a ludicrous statement, but Tyson genuinely believes it. When questioned about it by the hosts, he says it’s “personal preference”. So, what has Tyson learnt from this experience? “I really should have said ‘traditional’,” he said. “The whole ‘submissive’ thing was out of place.”
Teary Bec apologises for her dinner party behaviour
Love her or hate her, there’s no denying Bec is doing some heavy lifting with the drama. Sure, she’s saying some nasty stuff behind people’s backs, but she’s also not scared to say it to their faces.
Her last dinner party tirade would have been better suited to an episode of Real Housewives, but Bec showed up to answer the tough questions and didn’t make any excuses. Admitting she was throwing vitriol at others due to the unhappiness in her relationship, Bec said she thought if she could prove Gia was a liar, then she’d get things back on track with Danny.
“It was quintessential deflection,” she said. “I know people will see that as a toxic, crazy woman coming in, and I look at myself and see how hurt I was in that moment. I’ve embarrassed myself, my family, my friends and the show.”
Footage reveals what Bec really said about Gia at the hens’ party
One point of confusion in this season has been what happened between Bec and Gia to get them off on the wrong foot during the hen’s night.
Gia has alleged Bec called her a “trashy slut”, something Bec has denied. “If there’s footage of it, I’d apologise,” Bec said.
