Big Brother Back to Dreamworld

Rumour has it, again from TV Tonight, that Dreamworld are preparing to once again host Big Brother Australia in 2012. Dreamworld has hosted every season of the show for Endemol/Southern Star and the TEN Network from 2001-2008, plus Celebrity Big Brother for Charity in 2002, and the spin-off series Friday Night Games in 2006.

Dreamworld's Amphitheatre was an existing structure before Big Brother. Just a short walk from the former Blue Lagoon pools and waterslides attraction, it was used to host partially covered live stage shows and corporate events. The venue was revamped for Big Brother's inaugural season in 2001, becoming a control room for the entire Big Brother House, production offices, a gift shop, a tourist attraction, a TV set, and an Outside Broadcast facility for up to three consecutive live events (two 24x7 streams recorded from inside the House and broadcast on the web, and a live studio show airing on the TEN Network).

The Big Brother House was purpose-built for the series amidst bushland, though only 250 metres from the back of the Amphitheatre. The outer shell of the House has remained basically unchanged through the 8 seasons. It is an approximately 55 x 30 metre compound, roughly half covered to form the "house" and half uncovered to form the "backyard". Interior walls and rooms can be pulled down and rebuilt between seasons (or during seasons, see 2003!). The structure has occasionally been added to-- a higher wall was added to the back of the house in 2003 to better hide Dreamworld's Tower of Terror from sight, an open-air Friday Night Live Arena was built onto the north side of the house in 2005, then rebuilt more professionally with canvas roofing in 2006, and the Holiday House and Lanai with a second pool were added to the west side of the house in 2008.

The area where the House stands is currently slated for redevelopment into a shopping complex, though ongoing delays have prevented it from yet being touched. It is unknown whether the same House shell will be used for the 2012 season, as it will be needed late in the year (August-November). The latest overhead photos from Nearmap show the House is still standing and in neat condition. The FNL Arena roofing has been removed in the late half of 2010. Other options would be to build a new House closer to the highway or behind Whitewater World, but either of these would reduce the secluded feeling of the Housemates with the operational noises of the two theme parks so nearby.

Sonia Kruger to Host

TV Tonight have announced Sonia Kruger (Dancing with the Stars) is in negotiations with Nine to sign a long term contract that will see her host a "morning show" (step aside Kerri Anne!), Big Brother, and be involved with The Olympic Games coverage.

DWTS has proven her interviewing skills and ability to ad lib. It sounds like a good fit.

It is not known yet how many hosts there will be on Nine's version of the show. If they again have spin-off shows like Ten did with FNL, Big Mouth, Uncut, Adults Only, Up Late, and The Insider, there may be more hosts yet to be announced. It sounds like Sonia will be the main "Evictions" live host. There is likely also a position of narrator to be filled for Daily Shows. No reason Sonia couldn't do this to keep the cast small.  I'm still hoping Mikey G will be asked back for that role though.

Nine's 2012 Schedule Prediction

Nine announce their 2012 programming schedule next week. They have already hinted they will kick off the year with The Block stripped at 7pm.  That will probably run Feb-Apr.

I'm guessing BB will run May-Aug as it did in the past in the same timeslot, finishing up before The Olympic Games.

After The Olympics we are likely to see another season of The Celebrity Apprentice fill the space.

We'll see how I did after the big announcement during the week.

Possible Earlier Start

I read recently Nine will be kicking off its ratings year with The Block rather than holding it back til mid-year. If they are planning to strip BB at 7pm weeknights, there is a chance it could take back its old start time of April, probably running through to July or August.

No Secret: More Big Brother in 2012 on Nine

Channel Nine have announced on September 9 that it has signed a deal with Endemol Southen Star to revive Big Brother Australia in 2012.

Tahe show will be titled "Big Brother: Secrets", where every HM has a secret to be found out by the others, encouraging interaction between all contestants. A past French version of this format offered cash prizes for contestants who discovered others' secrets.

With the success of other "stripped" (5 nights a week) TV formats (MasterChef, The Block, The Biggest Loser) t seems like the right time. Also in our new digital multichannel environment, Nine can put supplementary programming on GEM or GO! without pulling too much out of its primary channel's programming. Original Big Brother fans know that 8 hours of primetime viewing and up to 12 hours of late night viewing a week takes its toll.

Rumours have begun forming about when the series will begin. ESS have not yet begun asking for applications for the series so it will have to be later in the year. Speculation is that BB will take The Block's 7pm timeslot after The Olympic Games ends in August.

As for a venue for the series, Dreamworld have let ESS know they are happy for them to move back into their production facility and "house" on the Gold Coast. It is all still standing, and its seclusion and weather makes it ideal. However, Nine may be looking for a brand new look for the series in which case it could be looking at other cities or locations. There is always Melbourne's under-utilised Docklands Film Studios, though its situation under a freeway could make it impossible to keep contestants away from "reality" for 3 months.

Another question is over who will host. It is unlikely Gretel or Kyle and Jackie O will return. Hopefully Nine will not use its new acquisition of Hamish and Andy, as they always make the show about themselves. Perhaps they could look at former HMs. It's a shame Chrissie Swan is at Ten because she would be perfect. There is always Mike Goldman who always remained loyal to the show, and had a shot at hosting with Jackie O when Kyle was sick.

For the moment we can only speculate, and wait for more announcements over the coming months.

BB House Tours to Close?

I just got word from Dreamworld. It seems the BB House tours are starting to wind down now. The House is currently known to be open on these dates:

Mon 5 Jan - Fri 9 Jan: 12:30pm - 4:00pm
Mon 12 Jan - Tue 13 Jan: 12:30pm - 4:00pm

After that there is no official word on whether it will be open, closed, or... otherwise!

Looks like I miss out on saying goodbye.

Gretel Does the Time Warp Again

I just went to see the Rocky Horror Show with Gretel as the Narrator. At first it seemed weird with a female narrator, after seeing the movie so many times with the old man, but by the end I couldn't imagine this particular production with a male in the role (all the other performers of the role in this production have been male). She seemed to fit the role so well-- think BB06's Adults Only, that kind of school meadmistress persona. At first her lines seemed rushed, but it was in line with the rest of the show that was very fast paced.

Her costume was a tight skirt, button up blouse, high belt, glasses and a beehive wig. The wig was funny because when she moved around the stage it bounced up and down. For the finale, she took off the grey top and had a strapless sparkly red number underneath.

Although she is the narrator she does have a few scenes where she interacts with the cast, and a couple of little dance cues. And at the end she sings and dances to the Time Warp with the rest of the cast.

She did a great job in the role and I'm glad I was lucky enough to see her in it, especially when I thought her run in the show was over back when it was in Sydney.