The highly anticipated return of Below Deck Sailing Yacht is shaping up to be a disappointment. Bravo’s second spin-off in the Below Deck franchise was previously a massive success. However, its promising future changed after more than a year off the air following season 4. Now, Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 battles declining success amid a behind-the-scenes scandal. While the drama initially drew attention to the show, it couldn’t prevent dismal ratings.
Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 takes place in Ibiza, Spain, with the Parsifal III sailing in the Mediterranean Sea. Captain Glenn Shephard returns to lead a crew consisting of veterans and newcomers to the Below Deck franchise. First Officer Gary King and Chief Stew Daisy Kelliher had previously been fan favorites, but their dynamic changed after a tumultuous season 4. Now, the show struggles to find its footing as viewers shift their attention elsewhere.
The Ratings Aren’t As High As Last Season’s
The Premiere Saw Disappointing Numbers
Despite the Below Deck franchise’s widespread success, Below Deck Sailing Yacht is facing sinking ratings. According to TV Deets, viewership fell by nearly 50% in season 5, with its premiere reaching 497,000 viewers compared to 815,000 in season 4. The highest-ranked episode in season 5 still falls below the lowest-ranked episode in season 4.
Fans are still interested in the Below Deck franchise. Below Deck Mediterranean season 9, which ended just before the Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 premiere, had decent viewership comparable to previous seasons. It seems the scandal surrounding Below Deck Sailing Yacht damaged its ability to draw in a larger audience.
Gary King’s Scandal Tainted The Show
His Return Turned Off Viewers
All eyes were on Below Deck Sailing Yacht in August 2023, when sexual misconduct allegations against Gary went public soon after season 4 went off the air. Gary was accused of assaulting a member of the production crew, which opened up a larger conversation about Gary’s past questionable behavior. Filming for season 5 was in the middle of filming when the accusations were revealed, leaving viewers anxious to see how production and Bravo would move forward.
Unfortunately, the response to the accusations was less than satisfactory. The article claimed that production merely separated Gary from the victim during filming, and he never faced discipline for his actions. After rampant speculation about season 5, the accusations don’t appear to have impacted Gary’s role on the show. Gary returned as first officer and has remained a primary cast member.
Many viewers now feel the accusations against Gary cloud their enjoyment of Below Deck Sailing Yacht .
Many viewers now feel the accusations against Gary cloud their enjoyment of Below Deck Sailing Yacht. Without official repercussions for his actions, viewers who are uncomfortable watching Gary have no choice but to turn off their televisions. It’s difficult to watch his actions knowing what he has been accused of, and it’s equally difficult to support a network that allowed his behaviors to continue.
What Below Deck Sailing Yacht Can Do To Redeem Itself
Can It Move Past Season 5’s Failure?
Despite its slow start, Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 has a chance to redeem itself. The best bet for success would be firing Gary and addressing the allegations against him. By ignoring the media firestorm that surrounded the article’s publication, the network runs the risk of appearing to condone Gary’s behavior. Gary’s presence on the show is no longer enjoyable, and the only chance for recovery is for him to be replaced.
The crew dynamics in season 5 are already suffering from the departure of Chief Engineer Colin Macrae, who had been with the Parsifal III since season 2. Now that Daisy and Gary are on the outs, the crew feels disjointed. However, it would be possible to regain interest by getting rid of Gary and jumping straight into season 6. If Below Deck Sailing Yacht returns quickly with a refreshed crew, allowing Daisy to perform solidly without being weighed down by her drama with Gary, the show could return to levels of success it saw in earlier seasons.
Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 also offers an opportunity for the new crew members to be breakout stars. Several new faces have already made a strong impression, including Chef Cloyce Martin, Chief Engineer Davide Morosi, and Stew Danni Warren. If any of them become fan favorites and stick with the franchise, they could potentially muster enough viewer interest to keep the show afloat.
