Big brother cops mixed reviews

by Gabriel Tan

April 29, 2008

TWO radio shock jocks, a 52-year-old grandmother, a midget, and a never-ending string of controversies.  You guessed it, Big Brother is back  - but not everyone is excited.

WA state president of the Australian Family Association, John Barich, says watching the show is a waste of time.

“I hate that show,” he said. “I’ve seen it once and never again.

“It’s a reflection of how silly we’ve become: we should be spending our time in a better way.”

Vice President of the WA’s Council of Civil Liberties, Thomas Wilson, was also quick to condemn the program.

“The whole thing is an abomination,” he said. “I’ve seen it once out of curiosity and it’s disgraceful.

“I refuse to watch it.”

Big Brother, a reality television concept adapted from the Netherlands, involves a group of people who are confined in a simulated house environment for a period of time. Like all reality television programs, the main objective is to be the last remaining contestant in order to win the grand prize.

With the Big Brother franchise losing ground to other reality programs such as Australian Idol and The Biggest Loser, this season’s Big Brother is pulling out all stops. 

On April 27’s launch show, a quirky new house in Dreamworld, Queensland was revealed, complete with one single bed that all contestants will share. A conveyor belt in the dining room that will dump food on the floor if contestants don’t catch it. 

This season, a 52-year-old grandmother, a member of the exclusive Brethren, a midget, and a believer in UFOs will be taking part.  Law student, Ben, who claims to be “smart and easily annoyed”, will represent WA.

Radio personalities Kyle Sandilands and Jackie-O are taking over from Gretel Killeen as hosts. 

Jean Foo, a 20-year-old student, who’s an avid Big Brother fan, disagrees with negative comments about the show.

“Some people are just too self righteous,” she said. “If Big Brother is stopped, where do we draw the line?

“And who decides where the line is drawn?”

Beth Pengelly, a Murdoch University lecturer, also manages to see some of the positives of Big Brother.

“It’s not exactly a family show but it is one of the few places where young people are represented,” Dr Pengelly said. “I can understand that the authorities are keen to set an example for youths.”