Below Deck Sailing Yacht Needs A Revamp (Gary King Caused Its Downfall)

Summary Gary King's scandalous behavior is damaging the reputation of Below Deck Sailing Yacht.

Allegations of harassment have delayed the production of Season 5, causing an uproar.

Bravo should consider recasting the crew to save the show's future and audience interest.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht is in serious peril due to its cast member Gary King, but the network can still implement a few changes to save it. The popular reality TV show premiered in 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic. It included Captain Glenn Shephard and a brand-new crew working aboard the 54-meter-long sailing boat Parsifal III. Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 2, which starred Daisy Kelliher, Colin Macrae, and Gary, was considered even better than the first. The trio became close friends over the next three seasons and established themselves as series regulars.

As time passed, Gary stood out the most as the face of the Below Deck Sailing Yacht. He became a celebrity and enjoyed his rising fame. Gary also became a fan favorite because of his playful attitude and cool personality. He won viewers over with his quirky responses and charming looks. Unfortunately, Gary's constant desire to be with a new woman every season eventually became too obvious. His scandalous nature and various controversies damaged his reputation and impacted the spin-off's reputation. Many Below Deck viewers started despising Gary and calling him out on social media.

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Gary's Alleged Harassment Has Delayed Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5

A Makeup Artist Has Leveled Serious Accusations Against Gary

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Gary's biggest scandal surfaced in 2023 when a production crew member made significant accusations against him. Makeup artist Samantha Suarez claimed that the First Officer had assaulted her while drunk. As reported by Rolling Stone, Samantha claimed that Gary acted "erratically," and groped her from behind, preventing her from leaving. Samantha further mentioned that there were no rules enforced by the production team regarding alcohol usage. Her allegations had an impact on the cast and crew of the show. Gary shed further light on the serious matter by calling Samantha a liar and a clout chaser.

Gary Was Problematic Before The Incident

Gary's Reputation As A Philanderer Put A Damper On The Show

Gary's behavioral issues started way before the sexual misconduct allegations. Many viewers started loathing him when he began romancing a new woman every season, thinking only about his selfish desires. Things worsened in Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 4, when Gary got into a love triangle with new Stew Mads Harerra and his former best friend, Daisy. He tried to play them but eventually got rejected by both women. Gary looked extremely desperate in the last season because of his behavior. Mads even publicly humiliated him by picking Alex Propson over him in a Watch What Happens Live interview.

Fans have also complained about Gary's behavior over the months. In 2023, many viewers took to social media to discuss the First Officer's downfall. One Redditor with the username @S0ulsEscaping wrote, "in previous seasons, Gary has been the lovable rouge who seems to get away with his antics, but now he is just a creep!" Others agreed with the sentiment and shared that Gary had become a "desperate old man." Another Reddit user said Gary's behavior was "predatory," adding, "Gary was always a problematic creep to me."

A Fresh Crew Should Be Added to The Cast

A Few Beloved Cast Members Could Make A Comeback

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There are a few things Bravo can do to fix Below Deck Sailing Yacht's dwindling future and the Gary drama. The network must cast a set of young, fresh crew members who could be the new face of the show. Gary and Colin had a great run, but many viewers are tired of watching them repeatedly. Viewers would want to experience something new, and Bravo can give them that by recasting almost everyone on the boat.

If producers want to add a few returning faces, they must choose someone with a better reputation, like Daisy.

Related 8 Below Deck Alums Who Didn't Deserve To Be Fired A few Below Deck crew members should've been given another opportunity to prove themselves on the yacht before being dismissed by their superiors.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5 Shouldn't Air

Viewers Wouldn't Want To Watch Gary On Small Screen Ever Again

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Bravo has likely already filmed Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 with Gary. Therefore, the editing team could either try to edit him out of the season or simply dump the footage and film a new season again.

Fans wouldn't like to see Gary return to the show again unless he has changed himself for the better. They want him to pay for his behavior. It'll be interesting to see what Bravo does next and if they allow Gary to be part of Below Deck Sailing Yacht or completely erase his existence from the show like he never existed.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht is available to stream on Peacock.

Source: Rolling Stone, Watch What Happens Live/YouTube, @S0ulsEscaping/Reddit