In an interview with the Executive Producer of this year's BB, Alex Mavroidakis says HMs are now in lockdown, and range in age from late teens to late 30s. Hang on. With no upper age limit for applicants we still ended up with an age spread of only 20 years?
We have had HMs in their 40s in the past, and don't forget BB08 winner Terri who was a 52 year old grandmother, and cohabitant Terrence who was 51.
But I guess BB is a young person's game. You have to leave your life for 3 months and sever contact with all family and friends. It is likely there just weren't enough applicants to choose from in the older age range.
At least we won't be in for another 05 season in which everyone was single and under 30. SOME diversity is better than none.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
Sunday, July 29, 2012
BB is Always Watching-- but are we?
Just over two weeks out from Launch, and not a word has been said yet about a 24x7 live stream online.
A leaked official website template shows no placeholder for a live stream. In fact, it looks like we'll be fed highlight videos edited by SSE instead.
Back in 2001-02 we had fixed webcams inside the House, and visible to HMs, streaming limited blocks of live footage to viewers over dial-up internet. From 2003 onward we have always had live streaming available, sometimes at a cost via a premium content package, and sometimes for free. We have seen the stream go on delay to avoid streaming something live that violates the MA rating. We've seen streams constantly being cut while HMs discussed taboo topics or while BB just wanted to keep us from knowing what was going on. But the live streams have always been there.
Times have changed since 2008. Social media has taken off and everyone is multi-screening as they watch TV shows. A website or app with live streaming, or a live TV channel, and a way for fans to chat, post and respond with each other in real time would surely be the way for Nine to go to ensure a non-stop audience and advertising revenue.
From 2003-07 we even had up to two and a half hours of live footage screened on Channel Ten at night, and that was in the days before digital TV and multi-channels. Now that each network can broadcast at least four different programs at once, Nine has declined to bring back Up Late.
For some reason it looks like the fans will only see the footage the network wants us to see, and think of the Housemates what they want us to think. Big Brother indeed!
A leaked official website template shows no placeholder for a live stream. In fact, it looks like we'll be fed highlight videos edited by SSE instead.
Back in 2001-02 we had fixed webcams inside the House, and visible to HMs, streaming limited blocks of live footage to viewers over dial-up internet. From 2003 onward we have always had live streaming available, sometimes at a cost via a premium content package, and sometimes for free. We have seen the stream go on delay to avoid streaming something live that violates the MA rating. We've seen streams constantly being cut while HMs discussed taboo topics or while BB just wanted to keep us from knowing what was going on. But the live streams have always been there.
Times have changed since 2008. Social media has taken off and everyone is multi-screening as they watch TV shows. A website or app with live streaming, or a live TV channel, and a way for fans to chat, post and respond with each other in real time would surely be the way for Nine to go to ensure a non-stop audience and advertising revenue.
From 2003-07 we even had up to two and a half hours of live footage screened on Channel Ten at night, and that was in the days before digital TV and multi-channels. Now that each network can broadcast at least four different programs at once, Nine has declined to bring back Up Late.
For some reason it looks like the fans will only see the footage the network wants us to see, and think of the Housemates what they want us to think. Big Brother indeed!
Saturday, July 28, 2012
New Ad In Time For Olympics
And, we're shuffling again!
The new teaser ad filmed in Sydney a few weeks ago with a casting call going out to the general public to come along and shuffle has hit TV in time for the Olympics. The ad depicts more everyday nobodies falling under Sonia's Pied Piper-like spell and dancing off into the street to be selected by BB as a HM, while Nine newsreaders from around the country report on the mysterious event. We even see the PM herself, Julia Gillard, getting swept up in the madness!
So another ad, another dance-off. I don't mind the ads themselves since they are catchy and funny. It's just all the supporting "shuffle"-related gimmicks that I'm getting sick of. I can already picture the official merchandise this year will have "Big Brother Shuffle" logos. And is it not a certainty that Kruges is going to dance live on stage with her flashmob on Launch Night? Puh-lease!
But once the series begins these ads should end. Just over two weeks to go now until we're right back into it!
The new teaser ad filmed in Sydney a few weeks ago with a casting call going out to the general public to come along and shuffle has hit TV in time for the Olympics. The ad depicts more everyday nobodies falling under Sonia's Pied Piper-like spell and dancing off into the street to be selected by BB as a HM, while Nine newsreaders from around the country report on the mysterious event. We even see the PM herself, Julia Gillard, getting swept up in the madness!
So another ad, another dance-off. I don't mind the ads themselves since they are catchy and funny. It's just all the supporting "shuffle"-related gimmicks that I'm getting sick of. I can already picture the official merchandise this year will have "Big Brother Shuffle" logos. And is it not a certainty that Kruges is going to dance live on stage with her flashmob on Launch Night? Puh-lease!
But once the series begins these ads should end. Just over two weeks to go now until we're right back into it!
Monday, July 16, 2012
The Shire: Life After Big Brother Rejection
Big Brother's ads so far have teased that the vacuous fame whores we've seen in the series before will not make the Housemate cut under Nine's watch.
Fear not bimbos and himbos. There's always The Shire.
We are 30 minutes into the first episode and I'm sure I've already seen the 6 rejected Housemates from the BB teasers in some incarnation. Let's hope BB sticks to his promises and gives us some better humans than this show does this year!
Fear not bimbos and himbos. There's always The Shire.
We are 30 minutes into the first episode and I'm sure I've already seen the 6 rejected Housemates from the BB teasers in some incarnation. Let's hope BB sticks to his promises and gives us some better humans than this show does this year!
Saturday, July 14, 2012
House Plans Leaked
This year Big Brother are having trouble keeping plans under wraps. Behind Big Brother came through with two huge leaks this week. The template for the Official Website, and the blueprints for the House itself!
I'm not sure I agree with the decision to publish the plans though, as it contains spoilers that Housemates could learn before being locked down, including secret rooms.
In general, the plans show a very oddly laid out house. Basically nothing remains from the previous series. Once again the kitchen has been placed at the far end of the backyard, like BB03-04, completely detached from the main House building. There is an outdoor gym, a barbecue and outdoor meals area, and a huge pool and hottub in the centre of the yard. The airport-looking structure in the preview photos is a new grand entrance to the House building that enters into a lounge room. The Diary Room is down a hallway to the right. Straight ahead leads to a bathroom and wardrobe area which leads through to a bedroom with bedding for 12 Housemates.
It seems very strange having to walk through the bathroom to get to the bedroom, but I'm sure all will make sense by the time we see the inside of the House.
The plans contain several other rooms and features which I may or may not discuss here in future. I'm sure anyone who wants to see the plans have by now anyway....
I'm not sure I agree with the decision to publish the plans though, as it contains spoilers that Housemates could learn before being locked down, including secret rooms.
In general, the plans show a very oddly laid out house. Basically nothing remains from the previous series. Once again the kitchen has been placed at the far end of the backyard, like BB03-04, completely detached from the main House building. There is an outdoor gym, a barbecue and outdoor meals area, and a huge pool and hottub in the centre of the yard. The airport-looking structure in the preview photos is a new grand entrance to the House building that enters into a lounge room. The Diary Room is down a hallway to the right. Straight ahead leads to a bathroom and wardrobe area which leads through to a bedroom with bedding for 12 Housemates.
It seems very strange having to walk through the bathroom to get to the bedroom, but I'm sure all will make sense by the time we see the inside of the House.
The plans contain several other rooms and features which I may or may not discuss here in future. I'm sure anyone who wants to see the plans have by now anyway....
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Time to Shuffle Off
The original BB teaser ad was clever and entertaining, and introduced us to the Housemate flashmob and what we now know as The Big Brother Shuffle. Having a host who is a professional dancer has its benefits it seems. But has the catchy Shuffle been overused already?
After the ad took off and was well received by fans, Sonia Kruger's Mornings co-host David Campbell was quick to satirise the dance on their show, ending with Sonia and her flashmob doing a reprise.
Then there was the Block / BB crossover ad where Kruges started dancing, again.
Now a social media competition asking fans to submit a video of themselves doing their own Shuffle to win launch night tickets. And as a follow up, an instructional video teaching fans how to do the official version of the jig.
I say, we are now officially shuffled out! It's time to hang it up before we're sick if it before the show starts.
Somehow though, I see a dance based weekly task coming up, and maybe even a live BB Shuffle in the Launch show.
Enough!!!
After the ad took off and was well received by fans, Sonia Kruger's Mornings co-host David Campbell was quick to satirise the dance on their show, ending with Sonia and her flashmob doing a reprise.
Then there was the Block / BB crossover ad where Kruges started dancing, again.
Now a social media competition asking fans to submit a video of themselves doing their own Shuffle to win launch night tickets. And as a follow up, an instructional video teaching fans how to do the official version of the jig.
I say, we are now officially shuffled out! It's time to hang it up before we're sick if it before the show starts.
Somehow though, I see a dance based weekly task coming up, and maybe even a live BB Shuffle in the Launch show.
Enough!!!
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