Yes, very interesting point. Massive fan of OG big brother, the way stories built, and the way they just allowed natural relationships and conversations to go to air. Fast forward, 20 or so years and the way we consume reality TV is so much more manufactured and edited and even curated by producers. The fact that each person on MAfS has their own producer off to the side for most of what we see means its a far cry from the big brother early years.
The only real intervention I can remember from the early days was if it was a bit boring. They would give the housemates food and alcohol for an impromptu party and then just sit back and wait for something to unfold. I do also vaguely recall dinner parties with questions.
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Poor Mike Goldman. https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/emergency-services/fire-destroys-home-in-wordsworth-st-bulimba/news-story/bb57f6a44013f297ea2a08c14a1dc0c6
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“I’m feeling a lot of relief. If we didn’t have smoke alarms, it would be a very different story.”
Mr Goldman and his partner Bianca Zouppas-Goldman grabbed their one-year-old Jagger before running through the smoke to the front lawn.
Goldman said he then ran back to save his dog.
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The ABC article says “It was going off because there was a fire downstairs in the garage,” he said."
We’ve had interconnected ones put in recently here in Qld … are you meant to have them in the garage? Ours weren’t put there . I think only if your garage is used for sleeping or is used for living in.
Poor Mike. It’s quite weird i know not related that the Big Brother house burnt down a few years ago then his house is on fire .
Maybe its a sign?
I’d disagree that it was the last real example. The earlier days of both Australian Idol and Masterchef were definitely event TV and there would be other examples. Even now MAFS fits into this category. It might be a different world now with social media but MAFS is still a show that has a huge audience and generates a lot of discussion/engagement.
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First Season 1 episode upload with the closing credits and end logos in tact.
From the official @bigbrotherau YouTube channel.
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Would Ten be getting that Youtube money for these videos?
I was reminded that Season 1 had a Saturday edition; that according to Wiki wasn’t repeated because 10 got the AFL rights the following year. Shows how much of a schedule filler the show can be.
Saturday
Big Brother Saturday was a one-hour long show aired on Saturday evenings during Big Brother 2001, with Gretel Killeen presenting an overview of press discussions of the series that week, interviews with fans by reporter Sami Lukis, and stories about the activities of evicted housemates. The show featured little actual footage originating from the Big Brother House itself. This show did not return after the first series, largely because Network Ten acquired the rights to televise Saturday night Australian Football League games after the first series of Big Brother ended, with these telecasts taking the show’s timeslot.
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From that clip that shows an eviction - I got to say how simple it was then. And how quick it was. Quick talk from Gretel to the bottom four (a question and a simple one-liners from the housemates), and then boom, Lisa is evicted.
Not like these days when everything is soooo drawn out on almost every reality show.
Oh yeah, I had completely forgotten about the Saturday Edition. I actually don’t mind that format. Gretel talking about the week that was, having interviews, and even Sami Lukas doing some reporting, Sure, little footage from the house, but being a Saturday night, I understand why.
In 2025, would a Saturday night show work, or would that be overkill? There’s probably a reason why “Outdoor Big Brother” (aka I’m A Celebrity) doesn’t air on Saturdays either in any format. Perhaps an overkill of episodes?
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2001 was a big change in the 10 Network.
Prior to this they relied heavily on US repeated content.
The network took further risks on launching Australian Idol the year after.
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For the first time ever Australia is getting a front row seat to the audition process
#BBAUdition tapes will be uploaded to youtube.com/@bigbrotherau for you to watch
Let us know who you like
#BBAU | Back on @Channel10AU this year
https://x.com/bigbrotherau/status/1953957266463633513?s=46&t=RPKXX3QJ5bwM_6c5rMb0SA
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So irs technically a popularity comtest still?
It always was; why would it change now? Its pretty much the same with any viewer voted reality show, especially one that relies as much on a person’s personality as BB does.
That eviction part in that episode was just part of the next days daily show. There would have been the hour long live eviction show the night before. The Australian edition dragged out evictions and nominations more than necessary. The UK version did it much quicker, no interviews with family members, no interactions with nominees and nominations were just integrated as part of the daily show.
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I wonder who will do the voice of Big Brother?
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Isnt it usually the shows EP?
That was generally the case during the original run on 10. The Nine version used a paid voiceover guy.
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