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Big Mother May 31, 2007

The launch eleven

Yes, it’s the all-female “Big Brother” we were warned about yesterday. We expect the first cock-drop (apparently neither “a geek or a gay”) on Friday night, but I’d predict a low ratings figure for tonight’s ‘highlights’ show.

It’s a definite risk for the show – on balance I accept it, but it made for an anti-climax on launch night with no raging testesterone or male totty. I liked the principle (but not so far the practice) of the identical twins. On reflection I’d have to say the two oldest were the two that stood out for me last night. These are the oldest ever BB housemate at 60, Lesley (above) and Carole, 53 (below). I hope both stay a while over the usual ‘Daily Star’ fodder ‘babes’.

More here and here

Celebrity Big Brother – the Showgirl task January 24, 2007

So many of this year’s CBB moments have been shouty and nasty, so I thought I’d balance up with this camp moment of togetherness from Monday night in the house. The performance begins at 1 min 08 into the clip. Music by the Scissor Sisters.

I think it’s fairly obvious which two housemates dropped them points (too much freestyle guys!), though they passed the task and all 8 (Cleo Rocas, Danielle Lloyd, Dirk Benedict, Ian Watkins, Jack Tweedy, Jermaine Jackson, Jo O’Meara and Shilpa Shetty) look to be enjoying themselves for once.

Enjoy. 2 are getting evicted on Friday (but not Danielle, Jack or Jermaine) while the finale is on Sunday night.

Celebrity Big Brother 2007 – First Impressions January 4, 2007

A bit of a disappointing line-up in that there were 2 people I’ve never remotely heard of (the WAG and the ‘outrageous’ band vocalist) and no real male totty to speak of. There’s a couple of ex-male totty but that’s it!

One of the more gobsmacking appearances was film director Ken Russell, so frail that Davina had to escort him down the house steps. I hope he doesn’t peg out in there.

Why did the Jermaine Jackson rumour have to be right – he looks SO boring.

H from Steps and Jo from S Club will be in huddles throughout I reckon. Probably a mistake to put both in, though H’s ‘coming out’ yesterday will add a bit of novelty value.

Although I’d never heard of the Bollywood actress I wouldn’t expect to. She looks beautiful and seems a nice person with it.

We’d heard David Hassellhoff and Adam Ant. We got Dirk Benedict and Leo Sayer. Not much impression gained as yet, but Sayer is the first bookies’ favourite.

Making up the 11 are tabloid columnist Carole Malone and Kenny Everett sidekick Cleo Rocas. I’m sure Cleo will be great fun in there. I think Carole is the first journo to actually go in.

Davina (who looked very different last night) explained there is a twist on Friday involving the pontifications of a “Big Brother family’ – presumably located in ‘the hose next door’. I did slightly wonder if they’re a celebrity family.

4 Jan update: Leo Sayer is deservedly the favourite – he’s just amazingly entertaining, intellegent and personable.

Meanwhile I’ve warmed to Donnie a bit – may just rate as totty after all, despite the Rhys Ifans hairdo.

Big Brother 7 – the final week, the fatal twist August 12, 2006

I know I was going to revisit the ‘new’ housemates before now, but frankly that’s where the rot started from for me. For instance, I went ” Well he-llo” when Michael first appeared in the House Next Door, yet he turned out a self-obsessed weirdo in no time. And Endemol hadn’t checked the basics of this ‘secret’ twist ie soundproofing. The first ‘evictee’ from the HND – Jayne – broke every rule going and was ‘punished’ by having all the other housemates EXCEPT her put up for eviction. Notably this was the week that histrionic Nikki got the boot. It seems that wasn’t in the inept production team plot.

Suddenly in the last couple of weeks the show has imploded. It is SO OBVIOUSLY being planned on the hoof and the viewers are SO OBVIOUSLY being desperately manipulated and duped in a way we only expect the housemates to be. The twist of 4 evictees going back in the HND was fine on the surface as it happened with Jon in BB4 and Kinga last year. However, they were single re-entries unable to let on to anyone about the outside world or how still imprisoned HMs were coming over. Not only could the 4 bitch and point at the ‘proper’ HMs, BB compounded this contamination of the concept by having the 2 eviction nominees last week join them in the HND. Just not on.

But the evil cherry on the top was the fact that the ‘proper’ HMs left after Friday’s eviction (Pete, Aisleyne, Richard, Glyn, Jennie) would pick one of the 4 evictees to join them for the final week, and that the person picked would be eligible to WIN. That is so not on it’s off the scale.

The whole concept is that BB is directed by viewers, while we knowingly accept HMs are manipulated by the show. This steps over the line as it treats viewers (let alone paying voters) as if they were HMs too. We pay for the show – we don’t get duped and made to follow a prepared script.

“Big Brother” has jumped the shark with this year’s production team. I will check in next year, but if the pattern re-emerges they’ve lost me and I doubt I’m the only one.

BTW I am currently wanting Aisleyne to win.

Big Brother 7 – first impressions May 19, 2006

Nearly 12 hours of the 13 weeks gone already! It certainly looks like we’re in for ‘interesting times’ this year, with the freak factor apparently turned up a notch – even the ‘normal’ housemates (with a couple of exceptions) seem to have sociopathic tendencies!

I’m certainly fed up with Shahbaz already – that view formed from the launch show alone, but staying up until 1am for the E4 feed just underlined it. My initial views of Pete and Lea mellowed on further viewing though. Either Pete calmed down or I just got used to the verbal and physical ticks – probably a bit of both – and began to find him attractive and engaging. Lea initially looked completely vain and plastic but has since shown a more warm, maternal aspect. Dawn just completely forgot her advertised persona and was bubbly and sociable whenever caught on camera – seems very pally with ‘sexual terrorist’ Richard so far. I think he might go far – even the lads seem cool when close to him and I was surprised that today’s “Sun” seem to be backing him and beauty queen Imogen (if photo prominence is anything to go by) as the alpha male and female. Imogen appears to be fairly faultless so far, but may suffer later from the other girls as seems to be a definite BB habit. Sezar, Mikey and George are the most obvious male totty contenders but all conceal somewhat unattractive attitudes to some degree, likewise Grace, Nikki and Bonnie (or Bonno by her lips). Lastly we come to Lisa and Glyn. I’m afraid Lisa could also quickly get on my nerves – despite a friendly, earthy personality she is prone to catchphrases like ‘mint’ which grate very quickly. Lifeguard Glyn seems a bit lost and looks likely to be eaten up by one of the bigger fish – he already seemed ‘marked’ by wearing Shahbaz’ jacket and disappearing off with him.

I’d have liked Shahbaz to be the first evicted on the 26th, but Big Brother’s first twist (which I just missed) means he and Lisa appear to be immune. I predict it will be Bonnie who was obnoxious outside and quiet inside the house – a really suicidal combination for public votes. Of course it all depends on membership of this ‘brotherhood’.

The house itself is a quite different layout this year – I’m glad the sitting room has been brought back in to the main house. It was too often used as the sulking/argueing venue last year. Doesn’t actually LOOK smaller though, but perhaps that’s all the glass and mirrors. The cameras in the bathroom will be fun as will the al fresco dining table.