Mandy Hillier-Nutley
INTRODUCTION
Q: What were you hoping for when you signed up for Masters & Servants?
A: I was hoping it would sort the boys out and make them realise that we aren't slave drivers. It worked for one of them but the other hasn't changed at all.
Q: Which bits of Masters & Servants did you enjoy?
A: I really enjoyed doing the children's party. I quite enjoyed doing the washing and the ironing - I didn't mind that at all.
Q: Which bits of Masters & Servants did you hate?
A: I hated Cheryl telling me off about us being smelly – it was only David's socks that smelled bad and that was a one-off thing.
BEING A MASTER
Q: Was it difficult ordering servants around?
A: Yes, I didn't like having them. We felt totally invaded. What made it worse is they were such rubbish servants. I left giving orders to Kevin, because I knew that if I'd started I'd have made mincemeat out of Cheryl.
Q: Do you think you could get used to having staff?
A: No, I like doing it myself. I don't like anyone else going through my things ... it's a woman thing.
BEING A SERVANT
Q: Did you find it hard to take orders?
A: No, I didn't have a problem with that. We had to keep asking for more stuff to do. Cheryl wasn't very good at coming up with jobs for us. When they were our servants we gave them a structure and a rota and they didn't like that at all.
Q: What was the worst thing about your masters?
A: They were very rude, very ignorant. They didn't care for anyone's feelings. We thought Masters & Servants would be a bit of role play, a bit of fun and we gave 110%. But they didn't play by the rules at all.
Q: What was the job you really hated doing?
A: Nothing was a problem. She could throw anything at me. Once you have had children, nothing is too dirty.
CONCLUSION
Q: Did you learn anything from doing Masters & Servants?
A: I learnt not to be so naive and trusting. Also, I learnt that money isn't everything. Our house isn't tidy but it is clean and children remain our priority.
Q: Do you think you are more cut out to be a master or a servant?
A: More of a servant, I think. I do that sort of work every day. Why get someone else to do the house work when you can do it yourself?
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Cheryl Allen-Stevens
INTRODUCTION
Q: What were you hoping for when you signed up for Masters & Servants?
A: Something fun to do in the Easter holidays. I thought the kids would enjoy it. Plus, this house used to have servants, so we thought it might be fun to see how it used to be used.
Q: Which bits of Masters & Servants did you enjoy?
A: It was great having all that help when we had parties. Also, the film crew were great to have around.
Q: Which bits of Masters & Servants did you hate?
A: The fact that we were on call 24 hours a day. The filming was so so exhausting: they just wear you down to the point where you crack.
BEING A MASTER
Q: Was it difficult ordering servants around?
A: It was hard because most of it seemed silly. Most jobs just don't take very long with modern gadgets. I'm not used to telling people to do banal things like make me a cup of tea.
Q: Do you think you could get used to having staff?
A:
I wouldn't like to have live-in servants, I think it is much better to have gardeners and cleaners coming in just for the day. We had a nanny for a while and she was great. We are still really good friends with her, so I don't think it is servants that are the problem, it is having a whole family that you haven't choosen.
BEING A SERVANT
Q: Did you find it hard to take orders?
A:
I loathed it. I knew I wasn't very good at taking orders, but I surprised myself how bad I was. I turned into a sulky teenager. Normally I'm really happy-go-lucky, but I turned into a bit of a witch.
Q: What was the worst thing about your masters?
A: It was dirty. It was the life of grim. It wasn't the sort of house you could make any nicer. It needed more than dusting ... it needed paint and TLC.
Q: What was the job you really hated doing?
A:
I didn't mind the ironing or the hoovering. What I hated was when I was doing a chore when the kids were going out doing something fun. It made me feel I'd much rather be out with them.
CONCLUSION
Q: Did you learn anything from doing Masters & Servants?
A: They made me clear out the parrot cage hoping I'd be petrified. But I overcame that fear in the face of adversity. I'm not scared of birds any more.
My husband came to understand how much house work I do which is nice. Now I worry less about being tidy. When we were filming everyone said how tidy the house is and that made me realise I can relax a little.
Q: Do you think you are more cut out to be a master or a servant?
A:
Neither ... I just like doing my own thing. I was better at being a master, but I think that was because I was on my own territory. The fact you are in someone else's house makes it such a difficult situation.
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