Big Brother’s return to Australian television in 2020: Speculation about host and show format
It’s the original reality TV franchise, and now Big Brother is coming back … but there are some big hurdles for Channel 7 to jump first.
Almost two decades on from becoming an Australian television sensation, reality juggernaut Big Brother is proving it still has the power to spark conversations.
The small screen industry is abuzz with speculation about how the third local incarnation of the franchise might look and feel when it airs on Channel 7 in the second half of 2020.
When it does, there will no doubt be plenty of memorable and controversial moments from the format that gave us Sara-Marie’s bum dance, Merlin’s refugee protest and the “turkey slap”.
But before then, rumours are swirling about major changes to the format, a familiar face returning, Big Brother’s new home and the mix of people who’ll fill it.
WON’T BE LIVE
The original appeal of Big Brother was that viewers could invest in the antics from housemates in real-time.
Each night at 7pm, Monday to Friday, the previous day’s happenings from the house – based at theme park Dreamworld on the Gold Coast – were broadcast. On Sunday, one housemate would be evicted after an audience vote.
Even when the show was revived by Channel 9 in 2012, it followed the same kind of formula. But this time will be very different.
In an interview with industry blog TV Tonight, Channel 7 director of programming Angus Ross confirmed Big Brother would not be a live production.
“I don’t want to go into the specifics of what we’re planning because some of them are still to be debated,” Mr Ross told the website. “But it won’t be live.”
One well-placed source told news.com.au that the current theory was Big Brother would be filmed in advance and the housemates themselves would vote each other out.
The show is unlikely to air six days a week on Channel 7’s main channel, the source said, with a Sunday through Wednesday schedule more likely.
A small screen veteran involved in the original version of Big Brother on Network 10, who asked not to be named, described prerecording the show as a “disastrous” idea.
“It’s the whole spirit of Big Brother, airing it live,” the source said.
“In this era of digital channels, streaming and online viewing, there’s so much potential to make it a truly 24-hour, live, immersive viewing experience.
“Filming it and showing it a few months later is just weird. When I read that, I thought, what a disastrous idea.”
AUSTRALIA WILL DECIDE
While Big Brother won’t be shot or broadcast live, a spokesperson for its maker Endemol Shine told news.com.au that the public would still play a major role in the show.
“We are definitely refreshing the format and updating elements to bring the viewing experience right up to date,” the spokesperson said.
“There’s been a lot of speculation about this, and again we’ll reveal more in due course, but we can confirm that Australia will decide the winner.”
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The well-placed source who spoke to news.com.au suggested that a grand finale could be live, or shot live, to incorporate a public vote.
“I reckon it’ll be a prerecord that catches up to actual time, kind of like The Block,” the source said.
With the renovation reality show The Block, the entire production is prerecorded, but the finale, determined by auction results, is filmed the day before broadcast.
GRETEL COULD RETURN
When news first broke of Sonia Kruger’s defection from Channel 9 recently, it was assumed she would host Channel 7’s version of Big Brother.
After all, she helmed the show for three seasons at her now former TV home.
But when Channel 7 finally confirmed her signing late last month, hosting Big Brother was not among her many announced duties.
Network boss James Warburton rattled off Kruger’s responsibilities – judging Australia’s Got Talent: The Champions, hosting Mega Mini Golf and featuring in coverage of the Olympics.
“If I was (Channel 7), I’d do whatever it takes to get Gretel back,” a prominent figure involved in the original run of Big Brother, told news.com.au.
Killeen was the skilled and popular host of the show for seven seasons and has remained coy on whether she’s in talks to return to the show.
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Several TV sources who news.com.au spoke to were all in agreement that Killeen would be best placed to give the show its best shot at success in the current small screen landscape.
In his chat with TV Tonight, Mr Ross confirmed there would be a host.
Endemol Shine wouldn’t be drawn on specifics but acknowledged the new version would not alienate original fans.
“It’s very important that fans of the show feel that there are a lot of loved elements that they recognise about this new version,” the spokesperson said.
“So we hope there’ll be lots of nostalgic touches as well as tons of fresh and entertaining surprises too.”
A BRAND NEW HOME
For the entirety of its run on both Network 10 and Channel 9, Big Brother was brought to audience from a purpose-built set at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast.
One thing that is certain about the next version of the show is that it won’t be based there.
The house – a living and outdoor space surrounded by concealed camera runs, production suites and a control room – burnt to the ground in May.
It came just weeks after video emerged of the abandoned and derelict building showing the extent of its disrepair.
“The location and design of the house is such an intrinsic part of Big Brother, and we are working hard on delivering something with a big wow factor,” Endemol Shine’s spokesperson said.
“But we can confirm we are looking for a new home. All will be revealed in due course.”
ECLECTIC MIX OF HOUSEMATES
When Big Brother first aired in 2001, cementing itself as a true phenomenon of the local small screen, its success was thanks to those cast.
Housemates in the original series, and most of those that followed, represented a mix of backgrounds, locations, circumstances and views.
It created the “water cooler” moments that the show relied on.
The balance slipped when the show moved to Channel 9, with many of the housemates seemingly snatched straight from Instagram.
“We’re absolutely after a broad mix of characters and a great cross-section of society,” Endemol Shine’s spokesperson said of the new season.
Producers would have no shortage of potential talent to choose from, the spokesperson said.
“The casting response has been extraordinary. We’re just about to close off applications and so far we’ve received just under 50,000,” they said.
At Channel 7’s recent Upfronts – a presentation of its 2020 slate – Endemol Shine’s chief content officer Peter Newman gave a brief speech about what to expect.
It wasn’t heavy on specifics, given planning is in its early stages.
“Well, what I can say is we’ll bring through the tone, the fun and the water cooler moments that audiences absolutely love about Big Brother, but we’re going to bring it bang up to date,” Mr Newman said.
“There’ll be a dynamic new house full of surprises, new rules guaranteed to deliver showstopping twists and a new generation of unique and ambitious housemates determined to outstay each other no matter what Big Brother has in store for them.
“The game has changed. Get ready to watch the most thrilling version of Big Brother play out.”
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