The unexciting new season ofBelow Deck Sailing Yachthas me thinking thatBravo needs to introduce a better spin-off to revitalize the franchise. TheBelow Deckfranchise began in mid-2013, but it wasn’t until later that Bravo introduced spin-offs and expanded the franchise. In 2020, the network releasedBelow Deck Sailing Yacht, which starrednow-fan-favorite Captain Glenn Shephardon the 54-meter-long sailing yacht. The spin-off featured a younger cast visiting exotic locations, with season 1 in Greece, season 2 in Croatia, season 3 in Spain, season 4 in Italy, and season 5 in Ibiza.
I enjoyed the first few seasons ofBelow Deck Sailing Yachtbecause it seemed different fromBelow DeckandBelow Deck Mediterranean. The spin-off featured key cast members like Colin Macrae, Daisy Kelliher, and Gary King, who have returned every season to join Captain Glenn on Parsifal III.Below Deck Sailing Yachtseasons 1to 3 also included many unexpected twists and interesting moments, which made me feel connected to the crew members. Unfortunately,season 4 didn’t impress me, and season 5 made me realize why the spin-off wouldn’t be as goodas before.
BDSY’s Gary King Has Hurt The Franchise
Gary Keeps Returning To The Show
The ratings for theBelow Deck Sailing Yachthave declined, withGary’s role on the showbeing the major factor. When he debuted in season 2 as the first officer, he quickly became a fan-favorite due to his impressive skills and likable personality.
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I enjoyed watching Gary’s dynamic friendships with Colin and Daisy, which set them apart from other cast members of the franchise. However, in the following seasons,Gary tarnished his reputation by appearing desperate in his pursuit of romantic relationshipswith multiple female crew members, such as Mads Herrera and Anna Zhou.
In season 4, Gary transitioned from appearing desperate to unlikable. He found himself in two love triangles, pursuing Chief Stew Daisy and Junior Stew Mads.
Gary’s choices damaged his relationships with Colin and Daisy. However, many viewers, including myself, began to truly dislike him when a production crew member accused him of sexual misconduct. Allegedly,Gary attempted to force himself upon one of the makeup artists. Disappointingly, theBelow Deckfranchise didn’t dismiss Gary for his behavior. Instead, they brought him back for season 5, which caused me and many other fans to lose interest.
A New Below Deck Spin-Off Would Renew Interest
Revamping A Spin-Off Could Bring Back The Spark For Viewers
While I don’t believe Bravo should cancelBelow Deck Sailing Yachtdue to poor ratings, they should implement significant changes to address the issues.
This includedrecruiting a new crew with more amiable and entertaining individuals than Gary. If Bravo is unable to replace Gary and other longstanding crew members, they should consider launching a new spin-off. Creating a fresh show would generate increased interest and revitalize the franchise. This would help make theBelow Deckbrand more prominent on social media and potentially attract back viewers who’ve stopped watching.
Below Deck Down Underis a great example of how a new spin-off can re-engage fans. When I first watched the spin-off in 2022, I was pleasantly surprised to see Captain Jason Chambers in action on the sea. Hisyouthful energy brought a fresh vibe to the showwhile the core concept remained the same. His calm demeanor and unapologetic attitude added intrigue to the seasons, making each episode unique.Bravoshould consider creating another spin-off similar toBelow Deck Down Under. With two successful shows, viewers' interest in the franchise would surely be reignited.
What Below Deck Spin-Off Could Be Introduced?
Increased Celebrity Involvement Has The Potential To Boost Viewership
TheBelow Deck Sailing Yachthas become boring and unappealing due to Gary, the controversies, and the lack of originality. Meanwhile, the originalBelow DeckandBelow Deck Mediterraneanhave been mediocre shows for a while and haven’t improved.
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I believe that if Bravo wants to revive the franchise, it needs to create a show that stands out from other spin-offs. The new spin-off could differentiate itself by includingcelebrity guests and reality TV cast members in each episode. It could also focus on smaller boats in a less luxurious environment, possibly replacingBelow Deck Sailing Yacht.
Below Deck Sailing Yachtairs Mondays at 9 p.m. EST on Bravo.
Below Deck Sailing Yacht
Cast
Below Deck Sailing Yacht is a spin-off of the Below Deck reality television series. Premiering on Bravo, the show follows the life of a Yacht crew as they attempt to navigate a busy Charter season in which many customers make use of a 177-foot sailing yacht. Over the first three seasons, the yacht has been to Greece, Croatia, and Spain.
