Big Brother CH4

I have to admit missing the last few series (as its on a bit late - horlicks, slippers etc). If it was on earlier i'd watch it. I prefer celeb BB tho

It is at times abhorrent but hey its better than all in wrestling on World of Sport (IMO)

No way. It's a waste of space.

I am afraid that I wouldn't watch it if it was the last programme on tv. I think it is exploitative and cheap and whereas we seem to focus all our disdain on the participants, it is the programme makers that should be the target for criticism in my opinion. It is poor tv to expect human beings who have been deliberately selected for their 'qualities' to provide 'entertainment' by having a breakdown or behaving strangely or outrageously on national tv when they have been thrown together in artificial, restrictive and deliberately provocative surroundings.

It's not for me.

Mark

Chillkram about sums it up for me too - except for the fact that I also find it incredibly boring and the people irritating at best!
Dave

Indulging in the 21st century version of visiting Bedlam for entertainment is a low to which I will not stoop.

Bob

You will just have to live with the fact that some morons like wtching BB just as some morons read the Sun.

Why I do not know but millions of them do it.

One of lifes mysteries.

Regards

Mick

When the second series of BB came out, I made a decision to get rid of the TV! I have not missed the pathetic spectacle of BB or infact the entire televisual output at all! More time for Music and Radio Four for wit [of both kinds] and Radio Three for live relays. Who could ask for more? I am a DVD hound, and love a good film or the classic comedies such as "Faulty Towers," from a time when TV would guarantee somethoing worth watching most days rather than, as today, during some weeks! All IMO of course. Sorry to any Tele fans!

When I got Sir Micheal Spicer to write to the License people who were harassing me about getting a License I did not require, I actually coolly lost my temper with someone in the office and asked the following question:

"You sound like an intelligent human being to me, even quite nice though you are accusing me of being a liar. Do you watch TV?" The answer was positive. I responded that I considered that they were probably less intelligent than I had at at first taken for! Then I got my MP onto it. I had a lovely apology from them! It has to be said that I had already had a long correspondence with the License people and several rather expensive phone calls, and I had had enough...

ATB from Fredrik

I'm with Mark chillkram - BB exploits a bunch of the lowest common denominators for the entertainment of another bunch of lowest common denominators. I would rather watch paint dry er I mean watch football.

Hi


It always astounds me level of venom and sanctamonious/ judgemental views that BB elicits from people. It's a cheap ass bit of TV. Those that take part know exactly what they're doing, seeing it is great exposure for their inevitable launch to superstardom. No one goes into this with anything less than eyes wide open, the naive days are well and truly over.

I find it compeling in a strange kind of way. Bit like black olives or Marmite. I shouldn't but I do.


Cheers Karl

Dear Karl,

I think we all probably enjoy a bit of kitsch trash from time to time. I enjoy a sentimental familly weepy film from time to time, but I don't expect a film fan to really approve of my taste! Did you expect all the people who dislike BB to not contribute, or to change their opinion of it just because you like it.

Of course people are going to come back and tell you it is *******s, but if you enjoy it that is nice. As I say we all have things which we would not expect most people to share our enjoyment of. I love Bach Fugues [as well as sentimental films], but in fairness I don't actually know one person, personally, who would come and work at them with me!

Enjoy your Television! Fredrik

Hi Fredrick


No I really don't expect people to like BB or hope to change their mind. Quite the opposite. I had a good idea that on a 'high brow' forum such as this it would get both barrels. Bit of a tongue in cheek post!! I do however marvel at the level of hate and disgust that exists for what is in reality a cheap bit of tat.

I love BB and for me that is enough, I do not seek to convert the masses. But I do struggle with why I find it so compelling. I do not watch soaps, I do not watch other reality TV, I have never had an ASBO, I am not a CHAV, I studied Social and Political Sciences at post-grad level.... I should know better, but I can't help it!! I think it's maybe the Social Scientist in me that first drew me to BB in the original series, it was marketed as a Socio/ psychological experiment. However I now have no excuse I'm just hooked on BB. I just hope this does not lead to watching daytime TV, reading the Daily Star, listening to Girls Aloud or buying Heat magazine (shudder).


Yours in Fear


Karl

Dear Karl,

I would happily watch "Lassie" films, or something like "My friend Flicka," in preference to a lot more serious films, so I think we all just want to chill with some Kitsch sometimes. Its alright! I am sure everyone here has some aspect of their taste which is terrible. I even enjoy Dire Straits, though not their "Walk Of Life!"

Kindest regards from Fredrik

As usual i will be watching it but don't tell anyone

A guilty secret.

I'll just put me feet up watch BB while reading the Sun then. Oh bugger I forgot, I can't do both at once as it makes me poor brain 'urt

quote:

Originally posted by Lark:


BB starts in 2 weeks, are you going to watch?

You did ask!

If it was strictly a BB appreciation thread I would have stayed away.

quote:

It always astounds me level of venom and sanctamonious/ judgemental views that BB elicits from people.

It's not venomous or sanctimonious, it's just my view! You are more than welcome to watch and I offer no criticism of you for doing so - I can see how it is addictive television. I do feel free to criticise the programme makers, however, because I think they are deliberately hanging vulnerable people out to dry by constructing situations that are designed to push their behaviour to its limits for our entertainment.

quote:

Originally posted by bob mccluckie

Indulging in the 21st century version of visiting Bedlam for entertainment is a low to which I will not stoop

I think Bob's got it about right here.

Mark

ps. Nothing wrong with watching Girls Aloud, but listening??!!!

I have never watched an episode of regular BB. We did catch some of the celebrity series a few years ago, the one with Jack Dee, but that was about it. The odd clip I have seen just makes me even more determined not to watch it.

Gary

Hi

The venomous sanctamonious bit was not aimed at you Mark, but rather the general attitude of most people to BB. I was merely talking in a general way, no specifics or digs.

But I do agree watching Girls Aloud is no hardship!!


'who goes you decide'.....

Cheers Karl

Among the inmates, I hear, are a gay couple who want to get married on air.

Sigh.

quote:

Originally posted by Diccus62:

It is at times abhorrent but hey its better than all in wrestling on World of Sport (IMO)

The 4pm Wrestling on World of Sport in the 1970s was ace - won't hear a word against it. Big Daddy, Giant Haystacks, Les Kellit, Mick McManus, Pat Roach, Kendo Nakasaki, etc - all gods. It was gorgeously low-rent, much better than that glitzy Yank rubbish they show nowadays.

One of my most vivid childhood memories is of being round my nan's house, watching the wrestling. She used to chain-smoke Craven As or Embassys and would sit there coughing and shouting at the baddies. Then she'd waiting for the 4.45 teleprinter so she could do her pools coupon.

Ah! Those were the days: when all footy was pklayed at 3pm on a Saturday and the country gathered to listen to the dulcet tones of Kent Walton. Come on grapple fans!

As for BB, I haven't watched it in about 5 years. It goes on too long, it's full of attention-seeking freaks looking for careers in TV presenting, it's too noisy and, well, a bit boring. Even the Celebrity one's unwatchable - the last time it was good was when Bez was on.

In any case after 8 years or whatever, I think the format's had its day (the first series was good though), The Apprentice is much better - nothing like seeing a load of overweening yuppies getting their comeuppance, is there?

quote:

Originally posted by Mick Parry:
Bob

You will just have to live with the fact that some morons like wtching BB just as some morons read the Sun.

Why I do not know but millions of them do it.

One of lifes mysteries.

Regards

Mick

When I'm in Costa for my lunch break, I often pick up the free copy of the Sun and half an hour later am amazed to find I've read it from cover to cover. I laughed out loud at least three times reading it yesterday. I think it is a highly amusing comic, brilliantly written,and none the worse for that.
Ten or twenty years ago, I wouldn't have been seen dead reading the Sun as I was too concerned about my image as a young socially-conscious professional. today, I couldn't care less what people think.
I can't watch BB though.

Which newspaper are you seen sporting Mick?

Well I look at the pictures too

quote:

Which newspaper are you seen sporting Mick?

Judging from his informed opinions The Mail or Express.

..... I reckon the Guardian