Gary King should've been fired after Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 4, but producers can still save the Bravo spin-off. As a popular iteration of the Below Deck franchise, the show takes place aboard a luxury sailing yacht and follows the lives of the yacht’s crew as they navigate the challenges of providing high-end service to demanding guests while living and working together in tight quarters, headed by Captain Glenn Shephard. However, the show has gained more attention for problematic first officer Gary than for navigating a unique sailing vessel.
While Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 has yet to be released, it was allegedly filmed. Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 4 aired beginning in April 2023, and featured Chef Ileisha Dell, Gary, Chief Stew Daisy Kelliher, and Chief Engineer Colin MacRae, among others. Romantic drama was a central theme, especially around the love triangle between Daisy, Gary, and Colin. Colin and Daisy's relationship began to blossom, which caused tension with Gary, who had unresolved feelings for Daisy. Amid Gary's bad behavior, only the producers can save Below Deck Sailing Yacht.
Producers Should Be More Involved On-Screen When Possible
They Need To Ensure Safety Onboard
Involving producers more prominently on-screen in Below Deck Sailing Yacht could be a crucial step in preventing issues like Gary's sexual misconduct scandal from recurring. By playing a more active, visible role in the show, producers can address inappropriate behavior in real time and provide necessary checks and balances that maintain a safer, more respectful environment onboard. This proactive approach could help avoid misconduct and the negative fallout that stems from unchecked crew interactions. How many times have drunken antics veered into the uncomfortable?
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Gary's unacceptable behavior towards makeup artist Samantha Suarez is far from the only sketchy situation in the Below Deck franchise. For example, In Below Deck Mediterranean season 5, tensions between crew members Hannah Ferrier and Captain Sandy got out of control, leading to Hannah’s dismissal over her Valium and vape pen. A producer's direct involvement in clarifying the rules or facilitating communication between the captain and crew could have helped resolve the situation in a more balanced manner. Instead, the lack of transparency created unnecessary drama and confusion.
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Gary King Fast Facts |
Below Deck Sailing Yacht |
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Age |
37 |
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Job |
First Officer |
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Hometown |
Knysna, South Africa |
Additionally, Below Deck Mediterranean season 6 saw Lexi Wilson become embroiled in an uncomfortable feud with the rest of the cast. Despite physical and emotional escalation, it took far too long for proper intervention on the part of the producers. A more visible producer could have de-escalated the situation before it worsened.
Perhaps the worst example of production waiting too long to intervene was in Below Deck season 7, when Ashton Pienaar’s behavior towards Kate Chastain on a drunken night out, spiraled into punching glass and threatening Kate's safety. If the producers had been more visibly involved at that moment, Kate wouldn't have felt the need to leave the yacht.
Producers Have Learned From Their Mistakes With Gary's Behavior
They Know When To Step In
Producers made major mistakes in how they dealt with Gary's scandal. While he was uninvited to BravoCon in 2023, Gary allegedly filmed Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5, which is probably why it's taken so long to release. In response to fan backlash, the producers have likely attempted to edit out or severely reduce Gary's presence in Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5. It might be better for them to completely scrap the season. While this would be an expensive choice, it's worth showing that they have a zero tolerance for abusive and problematic cast members.
Below Deck Sailing Yacht producers need to prove their dedication to cast and crew safety by getting rid of Gary as soon as possible.
There is hope for the future of Below Deck Sailing Yacht. Regardless of the bungle with Gary's situation, Below Deck producers have shown a greater willingness to address inappropriate behavior directly on the show. The show allows audiences to see the incidents rather than sweeping them under the rug, as evidenced in Bosun Luke Jones' attempted assault on Margot Sisson. This demonstrates that producers are more willing to take immediate action rather than let the storyline evolve as drama for entertainment value.
Fans have been increasingly vocal about Gary and other production issues on social media platforms, and producers have begun listening to audience concerns about the portrayal of consent and inappropriate behavior. In response to these conversations, future seasons will continue to show sensitivity regarding controversial situations. Additionally, Below Deck producers need to take accountability for their role in perpetuating or ending dangerous situations for crew members.
Will Producers Have More Of A Role On Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5?
They Will Become More Visible
Producers will likely take on a greater role in Below Deck Sailing Yacht as a direct response to the backlash surrounding Gary’s return after sexual misconduct allegations. Their increased involvement is essential to protect the show’s reputation, which is severely tarnished after not firing Gary despite the obvious threat to cast and crew safety. Given the intensity of the backlash, producers may adopt a more hands-on role in both casting decisions and on-set behavior. Otherwise, Below Deck Sailing Yacht could be in trouble.
Below Deck producers will likely need to implement stricter vetting processes for future cast members to avoid hiring individuals with a history of problematic behavior. Gary had been a sketchy and problematic cast member for years before the drunken incident with Samantha. Furthermore, producers could intervene more proactively during filming to prevent any incidents from escalating, and they may be more involved in addressing conflicts between crew members. Given other incidents in the past, it's obvious that producers would let situations get out of control rather than prioritize safety.
The entertainment industry is undergoing a cultural shift toward accountability, with reality TV stars facing greater scrutiny for their actions. In the Love Is Blind franchise, producers were accused of giving contestants an abundance of alcohol without food. Additionally, Renee Poche was forced to continue filming with her ex-fiance Carter Wall despite his problematic behavior and questions about her safety.
The producers of Below Deck Sailing Yacht will have to reflect this trend by taking complaints and accusations more seriously. For example, in response to a similar situation in Bachelor in Paradise, producers enforced stricter on-set rules after a scandal. This precedent suggests that Below Deck Sailing Yacht will need to follow suit to maintain its fanbase. Hopefully, producers are up to the task of prioritizing safety while continuing to offer top-notch entertainment on the high seas.
