26 July 2021

Farmer Wants a Wife: what can we learn from Andrew and Jess's journey?

| Hannah Sparks
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Andrew Guthrie and Jess Nathan

Andrew Guthrie and Jess Nathan found love on Farmer Wants a Wife, but it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Photo: Instagram.

It was time to pop open a bottle of Champagne on Wednesday, 21 July, as Andrew Guthrie from Delegate, NSW, found his happily ever after with Jess Nathan in the finale of Farmer Wants a Wife.

The couple has been eager to celebrate with fans on social media, sharing photos and stories of their time together since filming of the Seven Network reality television show ended.

Andrew also recently told Region Media how he and his lucky lady had discussed moving in together.

But at the same time, Andrew and Jess haven’t been afraid to hold back their feelings towards the show.

While it was clear that Jess was the frontrunner in the race for Andrew’s heart from the beginning, she was also portrayed as the most likely to break it.

A city chick from Melbourne, the question often came up about whether Jess would ever move to Andrew’s farm.

With a seed of doubt planted, viewers started vying for runner-up Ash to win.

This resulted in Jess receiving hurtful comments on social media, despite the contestant explaining how she never said she wouldn’t move to the farm.

Then on Wednesday night, Andrew revealed in an Instagram post that there was more going on behind the scenes than met the eye (shock).

“I do have to admit, watching it back, the edit puzzled me,” he wrote on Instagram. “There are certain agendas and awkward situations that are pushed on you while filming.

Jess Nathan and Andrew Guthrie

The happy couple has shared photos of their time together since filming of Farmer Wants a Wife wrapped up. Photo: Instagram.

“I never truly felt in control of my situation until very late, and I wish I had taken control much sooner.”

Andrew went on to explain how a producer had tried to change the narrative because he didn’t think it could work with Jess.

The producer’s brother, who also lives on a farm, had tried dating a girl from the city and she never moved, explained Andrew in his post.

“I’m sure that was hard on him and obviously on you. But this is not the same story and I really wish you left your personal burden at home,” the Instagram post continued.

“You once said in front of all the farmers and some crew, ‘If Jess moves to the farm, I’ll eat my hat.’ Well, I’ll get it marinated for you – how do you want it cooked?”

So what can we learn from Andrew and Jess’s experience?

At the end of the day, this is reality television and drama sells.

However, there is a fine line between creating a television show people will watch, and compromising ethics.

Firstly – and this probably isn’t new news – reality television doesn’t actually portray reality. We don’t see the full story and it is highly edited.

Secondly, when it comes to love, there’s no forcing it and viewers aren’t the ones who have to spend the rest of their lives – or at least a large chunk of it – with the person onscreen. So is it really necessary to send a nasty message to one of the contestants on social media?

Thirdly, people on television do read the comments on social media, as emphasised in this Region Media story with last year’s Farmer Wants a Wife contestants Neil Seaman and Justine Adams, and Grant Crapp from the 2018 series of Love Island. Think before you post – would you say that to the person’s face?

Finally, reality television shows are facing more scrutiny and will be held more accountable in the future with contestants finding the courage to speak out and becoming more aware of how they could be portrayed. Will this make for less engaging television? Only time will tell.

Farmer Wants a Wife is known for being one of the more down to earth reality television shows, and is actually the most successful dating show in the world.

I think people turn on their televisions because they genuinely want to see people find love, and perhaps the show could focus on the reality of living on a farm. As a farmer’s partner, I can say there are many challenges.

I’d like to think Farmer Wants a Wife could do better, and it would be nice to see a few female farmers in the future.

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I wish them the best of luck

This season was ridiculous. Having watched all the other seasons, this season was edited beyond belief to create drama. It’s any wonder that FWAW hasn’t been sued for defamation! I think that FWAW needs to go back and re-watch some of the earlier seasons. Yes there were things that were dramatised back then, but never to the extent it was this year. The show has lost its true essence and purpose of finding love and in trying to become “the farm Batchelor”.

Stewart Kerr8:48 am 28 Jul 21

How I agree with all of these comments. The last two series went away from the original successful format and started to look like everything was scripted, get back to the original format. And for gods sake stop producers from interfering with peoples real emotions for the sake of sensationalism.
To finish, more of the real problems to be faced by potential partners moving to a country lifestyle, more lady farmers if they are willing to nominate, more farmers per series and last of all two series each year. I am getting to old to have to wait so long for the next series.
If I was single and a lot younger I would nominate in a heartbeat.

The production staff eliminate truth and honesty in their pursuit of money. ROD

Darlene Smith7:28 pm 27 Jul 21

Should be less stressful on them I love watching it and I love the farm life and away from city im single but also 52 so me finding a farmer would be hard I think they all did very well and I enjoyed watching them all have a go and find love its not easy

probably a good show but with so many ad breaks with up to 10 ads each break, i took the break and dint return.

I think that Andrew and Jess will make a great country couple They look great together and young couples like them mean alot to rural Australis

Very happy to hear the comments from Andrew on the unfair editing of the show. It was confusing to this viewer as I had been really impressed with Jess from the first date, and it just didn’t play out in the direction it appeared to be going. I understand the shows producers have to make directions to make it interesting and suspenseful, but the Andrew/Jess scenario was muddied to a ridiculous level.
Just let love take its course, and if it doesn’t produce fireworks or drama then so be it. This show is potentially directing the future for two people who take a chance on finding love in a TV Show. (Note the intended non-use of “reality”).

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