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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To wonder why people go on Four in a Bed

114 replies

Millieja · 26/08/2017 20:00

If you haven't seen it, it's basically this:

Several b&b owners stay in each others' b&bs, rate each one and pay what they think the night's stay and breakfast is worth.

Every contestant, without fail, becomes extremely upset and offended when their establishment is criticised. There are tears every single time.

It's completely understandable why they get so upset and it's actually quite painful to watch.

Why do they put themselves through it when the winner doesn't even get a great prize? All they win is a crappy plaque!

OP posts:
grecian100 · 26/08/2017 22:03

Ah Raj-the-shower-painter from Newquay! During FIAB he had to leave the show midway "due to persobal problems". A contestant on the FB page however said that he punched another contestant over breakfast comments and ended up being arrested and spending time in police custody!

A fave of mine was a very lazy laid back artist who got a cleaner in every few weeks(!) and couldn't understand why the others felt that wasn't sufficient. His London B&B was filthy and he didn't bother getting up for breakfast.

Another fave was a guy called Brock who seemed lovely until he got criticism and went a bit psychopathic.

grecian100 · 26/08/2017 22:06

There was also a gay retreat B&B where the "entertainment" was orgasmic sensual breathing . The owner took it very seriously but unsurprisingly the others thought it was a laugh.

Decaffstilltastesweird · 26/08/2017 22:08

Yanbu. I can't even watch it as it's too stressful! Can't imagine I'd enjoy participating.

Though, i have definitely watched a few episodes and thought some of the places, (rarely, if ever, the places that win it), looked so lovely. I haven't actually got round to booking one, but I might. So maybe it is good publicity.

SleepFreeZone · 26/08/2017 22:11

My friend and her husband went on the program and won. Since then their business is booming and they are living a very nice lifestyle, so I guess that's why people go on there 😎

Crispbutty · 26/08/2017 22:13

I think they should see all the reviews at the end as it just ends up in a bitch fest after the first hosts know exactly who has said what about them and then find imaginary faults when they go to the other places.

EvilDoctorBallerinaDuck · 26/08/2017 22:13

I watch FIAB every afternoon, I love the bitching! That place in Cheshire tonight was minging, and then the woman went to pieces over breakfast!

ThisIsNotARealAvo · 26/08/2017 22:16

Love this show so much! But I think it would be better if they saw the scores at the end of the week, so there's not as much low scoring to get back at people. Often the first place wins because no one has got pissed off with each other yet.

I'm going to find the Facebook page now!

Floralnomad · 26/08/2017 22:19

I suppose channel 4 know that without them knowing the scores as they go along they are less likely to fall out and have drama , which is really what the programme makers are aiming for .

mummmy2017 · 26/08/2017 22:21

Remember when they used to pay for each stay , so they knew when they moved to a new B&B.
This couple of ladies were real players and went first and got well paid. they then tore into everyone else.
Come the final sleepover at a Lord and Lady something's house they under paid them, and they both had this smug we have won look on their face's then this guy and his wife paid twice the going rate, and were saying how much they had adored being treated so well and it was worth every penny.
The two players couldn't keep the stung look of hate out of their faces , as the lord and lady got the 1st prize.

TizzyDongue · 26/08/2017 22:22

I do think the paying what they think does take away from it - especially as some don't seem to crash certain areas are more expensive.

Then again it is an important aspect if it's a decent price or a rip off!!! Maybe they should do some like all the rooms are the same price for the contestaMrs - the price can be got to based on some equation with indexing based on standard prices for the area. The they can pay more, right amount or less depending on if they feel it's worth more, about standard or worth less than the average. Or something like that!!

Other thing thats wrong I think is how each owner reads the review after their hosting. Puts the ones after at a disadvantage doesn't it.. first host doesn't have anyone all bitter and twisted someone didn't lime their prize sausage or wonky toilet seat.

winewolfhowls · 26/08/2017 22:23

I love this show too but I wish they would replace the random activity with the host bit with something else.

GertyTheGert · 26/08/2017 22:23

I "love" the bitchiness some contestants show but they actually don't use their noddle and think hang on a mo, I am "advertising" I am a nasty nit-picking cow who runs a B&B! It never ceases to amaze me they are so thick! Who would stay in a B&B and a pay a right ole cow?! I actually record it as I am such a sad case - or maybe not, as although I don't watch much tv, there is barely anything on generally that I like (I HATE soaps) and I do enjoy FIAB. I usually start with the last (scoring) prog and if its really nasty, THEN I watch the rest!!! Also interesting to watch liars e.g. the filming shows filthy bathrooms (anyone see the prog with PUBES actually on the bathroom walls?!They'd used the same cloth for topping and tailing the bathroom - yeuk - and it was all on camera!)

TizzyDongue · 26/08/2017 22:24

Pffft well there's a cross post!!

Floralnomad · 26/08/2017 22:26

Some of the activity bits are hysterical , particularly the spiritual pair on Dartmoor , who took them all up on the moors to thank the sun or some such nonsense - the rest of them were just pissing themselves.

GertyTheGert · 26/08/2017 22:29

-2- Sorry, I didnt explain "liars" !!! The folk with the pube-laden walls denied it completely but we the audience saw it all! Also, I enjoy the ones who complain about the cooked breakfast not having hash browns, or fresh tomatoes, lightly grilled, yet when the folk go to their B&B all they are offered is cereal, fruit juice and a yogurt!! Funneeee !!!!!

ClashCityRocker · 26/08/2017 22:37

What I don't get is it's always the fussiest guest with the highest expectations that has the biggest shit hole.

There was one on the other week where the guy slated everything - nothing was up to scratch.

Gets to his place, and in one room the mattress is too small for the bed frame so the gap had just been plugged by a lot of old duvets and pillows!

EssentialHummus · 26/08/2017 22:37

I love this show! My recent favourite was the bloke who'd put copies of some sort of tantric yoga (?) manual in each room's side table, and couldn't understand why people reacted badly to it.

CoughLaughFart · 26/08/2017 22:38

Two things I don't get about this programme:

  1. The prices. £140 a night because they've got fancy bedding! I'd want unimaginable luxury for that price!

  2. The marking. Someone gets 9 out of 10 on cleanliness - a great mark - and they bitch like crazy because they didn't get 10. Get a grip!

AssignedPerfectAtBirth · 26/08/2017 22:44

The naturist one was the best.

Next time I'm in a hotel room I'm going to try that white glove shit. Or maybe not, I'd rather not know

honeyroar · 26/08/2017 22:44

I love Four in a Bed. I'd like to have a B&B one day. But the voting system needs changing, there's some serious cheating (followed by "oh my god, I can't believe I won!") goes on. And yes I believe a few pubes get planted!

It would be good if they put similar establishments against each other, like luxury v luxury and cheap v cheap.

MammaTJ · 26/08/2017 22:45

Someone I know went on it and they did not come across well, as they asked people to remove their shoes. Their place is immaculate, they are amazing hosts, but they came across as not the best because of that one little thing.

Like all 'reality TV' the reality is always slanted to fit the bias of the programme makers.

I too wonder why people go on there, unless they have never watched reality TV before!

Floralnomad · 26/08/2017 22:47

clash , I saw that one , I thought those people were very nice , I'd have refused to stay . We spent half of the first episode trying to work out where we had seen the gay couple before and then realised they were on an early series of coach trip ( before it got ridiculous) .

doowapwap · 26/08/2017 22:50

What is the Facebook group called? I need to be on there!

I remember the taking shoes off one! I don't think it's unreasonable, but I would be a little put off.

It's when they pull out the toilet brushes and they are dirty Confused makes me feel queasy!!

The one is saw last week was the one with the boot camp and the rooms were "European" African" "American" and they were all shocking I thought. The bedding looked filthy in every room and old and very worn. One room had wardrobes filled with the owners stuff in it!! A boot camp place, but the breakfast was a real greasy fry up with no option for a healthy one? Weird!

Mxyzptlk · 26/08/2017 23:08

It annoys me when someone pays less for a place because it's not to their taste.
That's not the point.
Does it give good value for its intended customers (stinking rich / young families / whatever).
Do these people have no imagination? Guess not.

Decaffstilltastesweird · 27/08/2017 09:14

I'd watch it if they just did scores and they never found out. Like come dine with me. I like that better, (though occasionally it's horrible too; I only like it when they're all quite nice to each other ).

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