"Big Brother"

[Julia]

Did anyone watch the entry of the housemates on the first episode of this year's "Big Brother" this evening?

Every year I vow never to look at this rubbish again, but every time I still get sucked into the first night, curiosity making me have a look to see yet again what kind of people are actually prepared to exhibit themselves 24 hours a day for the nation to watch.

What do members think it is about someone that prompts them to enter this competition? (There's not even any prize money this year apparently).
Are they seeking fame/infamy? Are they simply exhibitionists (that was pretty much my impression from this evening), or is there some actually useful reason they could be doing it which has totally escaped me?

As someone who values privacy immensely, I simply don't get this whole idea. Do we have any members on ASF who could conceive of getting involved in the Big Brother House, and if so, why, what would be the attraction?

 

[Taurisk]

Did anyone watch the entry of the housemates on the first episode of this year's "Big Brother" this evening?

I simply don't get this whole idea. Do we have any members on ASF who could conceive of getting involved in the Big Brother House, and if so, why, what would be the attraction?

Hi Julia - I don't get it either. The world is topsy-turvy; exhibitionism has become a virtue, and 5 minutes of fame no matter what the reason seem to be very desirable. I also don't get those exhibitionists who are grossly fat, stranded like whales in their own rooms and beds, telling the world of their self-inflicted woes.

I have watched bits of the very first "Big Brother" and have only taken the odd peek or two and IMO it has become increasingly mindless and tasteless.

Was it Andy Warhol who said: 'In the future EVERYBODY will have their 5 minutes of fame' ??

Taurisk

 

[Mouse]

Hi Julia,

I not only watched the opening, but I had a little party to celebrate it

Big Brother is fun. It's interesting to watch the way the housemates react to different situations, and the way that the public reacts to different things that the housemates do. It makes people ask questions and talk about things that they wouldn't ordinarily talk about.

I actually applied for it once. My reason was simply that it is something different and unique to do. Plus it looks like a whole heap of fun.

cheers
Mouse

 

[imajica]

Big Brother is merely the showcasing of the banal and the tasteless.

the typical Big brother viewer tunes in because they feel an affinity with the contestants - their ignorance and moronic banter is mirrored through the contrived artifice of the Big Brother House.

people feel happier about their pathetic lives by seeing unremarkable and eminently forgettable people being congratulated and rewarded for their ignorance on camera

 

[marklar]

You will probably find many of the INTJ types that appear on ASF like me are "people watchers" and do like an opportunity to observe others in a unique social situation. I found this website has a useful explanation: http://www.personalitypage.com/INTJ.html

"With Introverted Intuition dominating their personality, INTJs focus their energy on observing the world, and generating ideas and possibilities."

One of my best friends is a strong INTJ and she can't get enough of BB & the amazing race for it's unique social situations.

m.

 

[Prospector]

This is the first time I have seen the opening night of BB - I wanted to see the reactions when they heard there was no million $$$$ for the winner.
(Not even the teenager in the family watches it!)

They reacted to it reasonably well, but I am thinking they are still in the grips of the attention of the opening show. When the daily grind sets in (eg the cleaning, the mass sleeping arrangements, the cooking, the cleaning and having to cycle a bike in order to wash and dry the clothes) AND some of those egos (omg, those egos ) I am thinking some of those cutesy pie girls (2 of whom are lawyers) may just want out! Because unlike at home, they will not be the centre of attention anymore because there are just 12 too many egos to fit into that house!

But I love amazing race and Survivor - love seeing those americans getting all stressed out when the 'locals' dont speak English!

 

[The Mint Man]

I not only watched the opening, but I had a little party to celebrate it

:headshake

 

[disarray]

Big Brother is merely the showcasing of the banal and the tasteless.

the typical Big brother viewer tunes in because they feel an affinity with the contestants - their ignorance and moronic banter is mirrored through the contrived artifice of the Big Brother House.

people feel happier about their pathetic lives by seeing unremarkable and eminently forgettable people being congratulated and rewarded for their ignorance on camera

Quoted for truth.

 

[wabbit]

Amen disarray.

BB and all of these so-called "reality" programs should be taken off air. The purile and moronic behaviour of the "contestants" is simply a waste of TV bandwidth that could be used for much better purposes.

On another note: when all these "reality" TV shows are pre-recorded (if you live in Perth) this is reality, we rarely see anything "live"; so why is it then that these shows ALWAYS break out of their alloted timeslots? Are the people at Channel 10 that stupid and lazy that they cannot edit out 30 minutes of BB drivel to fit the show back into its proper place?

I, for one, watch very little TV. BB is one of the reasons why. Emotionally unstable fat people losing weight is another, Americans-who-lack-the-ability-to-perform-caveman-like-tasks-like-lighting-fires whilst "stuck on a desert island" is yet another!

Just who's reality are they trying to portray? It certainly isn't my reality; I have a life.


wabbit

 

[Uncle Festivus]

Amen disarray.

BB and all of these so-called "reality" programs should be taken off air. The purile and moronic behaviour of the "contestants" is simply a waste of TV bandwidth that could be used for much better purposes.

On another note: when all these "reality" TV shows are pre-recorded (if you live in Perth) this is reality, we rarely see anything "live"; so why is it then that these shows ALWAYS break out of their alloted timeslots? Are the people at Channel 10 that stupid and lazy that they cannot edit out 30 minutes of BB drivel to fit the show back into its proper place?

I, for one, watch very little TV. BB is one of the reasons why. Emotionally unstable fat people losing weight is another, Americans-who-lack-the-ability-to-perform-caveman-like-tasks-like-lighting-fires whilst "stuck on a desert island" is yet another!

Just who's reality are they trying to portray? It certainly isn't my reality; I have a life.


wabbit

wascally wabbit - don't you think such derision is a bit high minded, especially for someone who watches very little TV. It gets down to freedom of choice - if you don't like it, change the channel (or get a life).

 

[grumpee boi]

my wife was channel surfing and we saw the first lawyer go in. I couldn't believe the way she chose to portray herself like some complete peanut. i heard that there was no money but don't believe it. I cannot believe that a network that would make so much money from all the sparky the monkey types out there would abuse and exploit a group of people so badly. but then again, they did apply for big brother.

I sound like an old man but i think it is such a profound reflection of Australian society that drivel like this continues to rate well. wish someone would put red dwarf on again.

 

[Brujo]

I was curious with the very first series and since then have watched maybe 60 minutes of it in total over the last 4 or 5 years or however long it has been going. There is usually a "perv" factor that sucks me in for the first 10 minutes of each series and that about does it for me!!!

I guess for some, it is a shot at minor fame. I know a couple have gone on and generated careers of a sort out of it all.

However, I get more concerned that there are hundreds of thousands of people on the outside of the house who are willing to spend lots of money on those 1900 numbers to keep their favourite in the house. They scare me more than those who are willing to go into the house and make an exhibition of themselves - they at least have a chance of winning money or fame or whatever. Do the callers not realise there is absolutely nothing in it for them?

Is it true that this year they slightly "upped" the standard of "intellects" they got into the house this year in an attempt to improve the level of interaction and conversation? I read that somewhere or other.

Banal - yes, but there is some very atrocious stuff on TV. That other show they have on Ten at about midnight with cast off BB entrants and the like hosting it, where they put up one image and then spend the next hour taking live calls as callers try to guess "how many". It does indeed take a "special" talent to talk about nothing for an hour!

 

[Wysiwyg]

I sound like an old man but i think it is such a profound reflection of Australian society that drivel like this continues to rate well. wish someone would put red dwarf on again.

Correct....it is true that most people need to know what others are doing.It is a connection (or disconnection) to what others do that draws the crowd in.Like copying or repeating what is said and done on the show in their own lives because it`s cool man.:star:

Since converting from television to computer I no longer have an empty `void` to fill and am moving further away from the social structure of "how things will be".

p.s. Last program I watched would have been over a year ago.

 

[trading_rookie]

Every year I vow never to look at this rubbish again, but every time I still get sucked into the first night, curiosity making me have a look to see yet again what kind of people are actually prepared to exhibit themselves 24 hours a day for the nation to watch.

...same here Julia.

I was suprised when the geek entered...wonder how long before he reveals his 'secret' or will BB do that for us?

For those of us who watch TVS/Ch31 you might recall the face from the video game program 'Level 3'. In case you're wondering, no I'm not really a gamer and I've only watched it one time (guess I'm good with faces ), I think it was on after probably the best thing on that channel 'In Wollongong Tonight'

 

[Prospector]

I couldn't believe the way she chose to portray herself like some complete peanut. .

I think that is the way she really is! And I also dont know anyone (and nor do my kids aged late teens and twenties) who watches it! And apparently the ratings are pretty awful too!

 

[BradK]

Joel is BY FAR MY FAVOURITE... what a ninkompoop... I reckon he is tops!

Cheers
Brad

PS. After a 4 year hiatus, I am hooked again...

Dont you think that Hayley looks like Simone Warne, and Travis looks like Shane Warne???

 

[Prospector]

Joel is BY FAR MY FAVOURITE... what a ninkompoop... I reckon he is tops!

Cheers
Brad

PS. After a 4 year hiatus, I am hooked again...

Dont you think that Hayley looks like Simone Warne, and Travis looks like Shane Warne???

Hm, not sure about Hayley but when they did the opening show I saw the resemblance to Warne. Bad luck he isnt allowed a mobile phone, could be interesting. I thought he looked the most put out when they announced no prize money too!