[Scarlett.]

BIG Brother chiefs claim they deliberately made the show dull this year – to stop calls for its axe.

BB8 was the least watched series to date.

But Tim Hincks, creative director of producers Endemol, insisted they played it safe on purpose.

He said staff were still reeling from the Celeb BB race row, when Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty was insulted and watchdogs received a record 45,000 complaints.

Hincks said: “It’s been on the front pages since January — and there’s no doubt that’s had an effect, as no show benefits from over-exposure.

“After the white-knuckle ride of CBB, we wanted a show without mishaps.”

He said there had been fears “the wheels have come off”.

Ratings for BB8 slumped to an average 3.8million, down from 4.7million last year.

The 13-week show was blasted for being too long, with lively housemates like Charley voted out too early and others such as Ziggy caught looking cheesed off.

Hincks said the show, already searching for next year’s contestants, could be tweaked.

Chris Locke, of media agency Starcom, said: “The show needs to be sharper, six weeks at the most.”

The Sun

[Rory]

Six weeks at the most?! WOW. I'd say around 10 weeks is good.

[the_chosen_one]

They had to do it really, keep things boring to take the heat off themselves. Just as soon as they'd finished crucifying Emily for their mistakes.

As for the shorter series, I agree. 6 weeks would keep things interesting all the way through and not give the series time to get stale. There'd be no need to add extra characters to freshen things up and I reckon the audience would appreciate it more.

[Scarlett.]

6 is a bit short for me, 9 would do

[XxShortyxX]

6 weeks! I would like longer. See this series wasn't boring, I don't know why some people moaned.

[the_stillness]

Originally posted by Chewy
BIG Brother chiefs claim they deliberately made the show dull this year – to stop calls for its axe.

BB8 was the least watched series to date.

But Tim Hincks, creative director of producers Endemol, insisted they played it safe on purpose.

He said staff were still reeling from the Celeb BB race row, when Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty was insulted and watchdogs received a record 45,000 complaints.

Hincks said: “It’s been on the front pages since January — and there’s no doubt that’s had an effect, as no show benefits from over-exposure.

“After the white-knuckle ride of CBB, we wanted a show without mishaps.”

He said there had been fears “the wheels have come off”.

Ratings for BB8 slumped to an average 3.8million, down from 4.7million last year.

The 13-week show was blasted for being too long, with lively housemates like Charley voted out too early and others such as Ziggy caught looking cheesed off.

Hincks said the show, already searching for next year’s contestants, could be tweaked.

Chris Locke, of media agency Starcom, said: “The show needs to be sharper, six weeks at the most.”

The Sun

Making Big Brother dull - so it won't be axed sounds like a load of rubbish to me. The show was far from dull - okay, a bit boring at times - but that is always the situation with every Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother. It is impossible to guarantee excitement and arguments 24 hrs a day - is it? Another point to try and work out, is how can they make a show boring? that is impossible, as when you put in all those housemates - you never know how they are going to get on or not get on. You don't know their real personality, you don't know what they will get up to, you don't know who they will fancy, you don't know b*gger all really? So that again is a stupid comment by the Sun

The viewing figures were very low - even though they say that people were still upset over the Celebrity Big Brother 5 race row over Shilpa Shetty. To be quite honest - perhaps the Indian/Asian community decided to boycot watching this years show - just out of principle? Remember that there is a big chunk of the population that could have a financial effect overall - others who were disgusted!!!! But that is silly IMO and just because January's show was bad - in some peoples opinion? - then just get over it and enjoy the next series regardless.

I love the part - lively housemates like Charley voted out too early

What are they talking about??????????????????????????

Glad she went when she did!! They fixed it IMO for Charley to stay in - [as-long-as] Charley was hated and housemates that are hated - in theory - should have exited long ago, but yet she stayed in? Having a shorter show can only be better IMO and 6 weeks is perfect - absolutely perfect!!!

[Bigbrofanatic!]

I dont get it- this series soo wasnt boring! It was one of the best i thought, i found Big Brother 4 and 6 quite boring. What are they talking about! And no way, 6 weeks isnt long enough, that will wizz by! I'd say about 10 weeks.

[the_stillness]

Originally posted by Bigbrofanatic!
I dont get it- this series soo wasnt boring! It was one of the best i thought, i found Big Brother 4 and 6 quite boring. What are they talking about! And no way, 6 weeks isnt long enough, that will wizz by! I'd say about 10 weeks.

It's all a matter of opinion basically. I found it boring in parts, but overall it wasn't bad. We certainly won't forget it in a hurry - Chanelle & Ziggy + horrid Charley and the Twins - ooooooooooooh yeah

I won't bother mentioning Brian

[Fanboy_Luke]

The show's the right length as it is now. The problem is that they get rid of Housemates too early. The reason that it seems to last too long is that the last month is a real drag because there's too few housmates left to keep it interesting. They shouldn't evict or allow housemates to leave (I'm pretty sure they have to sign contracts) in the first month and have around 12 left until the final week.

[dupin]

I think 11 weeks, with both a save and evict vote like the BBAUS series, will make it better.

[Retroman]

Which Big Brother was it with the welsh man Cameron in it?
Now that was immensely boring compared to this one, so boring I can't remember a single thing about it.

This series was far from boring, I think it's more a case of we're used to seeing surprises and situations happen on there...so we're less impressed at this point.

I still found BB8 very entertaining and also think it's my best Big Brother yet.
The length of the show gives everyone a chance to get to know the housemates properly, and feel some kind of genuine emotion towards them.

Whereas 6 weeks? is practically nothing...
Too much would be going on at once, and by the time things get interesting, it'd be about to finish.

The longer they can afford to air the show the better in my opinion, they just have to work on its content a little.
And with the extra time being spent on new housemates for next year, they can find some people who really will create quality entertainment.

Then make sure their team thinks of some AMAZING ideas for BB9, and they'll make lots of money and we'll have a nice long show to watch.

Like I said, 6 weeks really would displease me...
And many other fans im sure. So why do it? seems illogical.

[Fanboy_Luke]

Originally posted by dupin
I think 11 weeks, with both a save and evict vote like the BBAUS series, will make it better.

Vote to save would obviously improve the series but I can't see Endomol doing that as they won't make as money.

[Tom4784]

Two words throw the reliability of this article in the bin.......The Sun.

[andybigbro]

Six weeks is way to short

[:)tom:)]

i think it should be around 8 - 10 weeks

[Retroman]

Twenty weeks *nods*

All this reality TV talk has reminded me of the japanese man who had to spend all his time living in one room. He had to live purely off competitions/scratch cards etc.

He also had to stay in that room until he managed to win a specific amount of money, lets say the equivalent of £1 million.

So potentially, he could have been stuck in there forever.
I think he was living there for a year and a half, and became the most famous man in Japan for quite some time.

[GhettoSuperstar]

Make it 9 weeks deffo!