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!!!
Monday, July 9, 2012
House Sneak Peak
The official Big Brother Facebook page has just released 7 photos of the BB House renovations. Based on these photos and the latest Nearmap aerial photo of the site, here are some observations:
- Some of the garden has been planted with tropical plants against dark grey garden walls.
- It looks as if the House interior has been extended into the south-east corner of the former garden area. The structure looks like an airport with a high rounded roof and tall windows. Timber studs attached to the old structure make it look like a new false wall will be mounted to the building.
- The old White Room / Aeroplane Simulator entry area has been converted into the exterior of a weatherboard house with eaves, guttering, and a tiled roof. The Holiday House Lanai area seems to have been walled in with the same eaves overhanging. This whole area could have been converted into a separate indoor House area. The Holiday House Garden area has been extended to the south, and the entire area decked around the existing pool from BB08. This could be a "backyard" for the Weatherboard House.
- There will be a pool with a round spa on one side. From the aerials, this could be in the location of the BB03/04 pool in the middle of the yard which has been dug up again.
- There is an interior photo of a modern-looking curved, slatted ceiling and wall.
- There is an interior photo of an empty corner (big help, guys!) and some sheets of small, white, square tiles on the floor that could be for a bathroom or kitchen area.
- The Friday Night Live Arena has been removed, and the north-east camera run looks like it is being rebuilt.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Goldman Heard, Not Seen
Its now been officially announced that Mike Goldman will be back on BB this year, as revealed on his website credits. The Age have now confirmed in an interview that he will narrate the series but will have no on screen presence this season.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
New TV Spots
Nine are using the huge ratings expected for another of its reality shows, The Block, to launch new TV advertising for BB.
The original "You'll be surprised" teaser ad launched alongside The Voice finale episode. Now during The Block we've seen two new spots.
The first suggests finalisation of casting and features people looking to the sky and out of office windows to a huge eye logo with the voiceover "This is Big Brother. It has been decided that there will be Housemates from Melbourne in the Big Brother house".
The other features Scott Cam and Sonia Kruger announcing a new house coming to 7:00. The red Block house logo changes to blue to match the previous BB ads and they promise to turn the Big Brother house "upside down". Sonia then starts inexplicably doing the Big Brother Shuffle. (Ok, she can dance already!) Who knows if the upside down concept could possibly be literal in some way.
The original "You'll be surprised" teaser ad launched alongside The Voice finale episode. Now during The Block we've seen two new spots.
The first suggests finalisation of casting and features people looking to the sky and out of office windows to a huge eye logo with the voiceover "This is Big Brother. It has been decided that there will be Housemates from Melbourne in the Big Brother house".
The other features Scott Cam and Sonia Kruger announcing a new house coming to 7:00. The red Block house logo changes to blue to match the previous BB ads and they promise to turn the Big Brother house "upside down". Sonia then starts inexplicably doing the Big Brother Shuffle. (Ok, she can dance already!) Who knows if the upside down concept could possibly be literal in some way.
Season Tag Line: "Think again."
The official BB Facebook page has been revealing print ads recently. The ads feature the characters from the TV teaser ad covered with a red "REJECTED" stamp and the tag line "Think you know Big Brother? Think again."
Obviously the focus for this season is casting over any other gimmick or twist. We could get a true back to basics season this year which would be fantastic. Let's hope they are looking at a good age spread of HMs this year too.
Obviously the focus for this season is casting over any other gimmick or twist. We could get a true back to basics season this year which would be fantastic. Let's hope they are looking at a good age spread of HMs this year too.
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