Endemol to take show "back to basics" - right or wrong decision?

[DigitalSid]

Head of factual entertainment Steve Gowans will oversee Big Brother for the broadcaster alongside Initial creative director Nick Samwell-Smith and managing director Laurence Jones, but a new creative supremo for the show is expected to be announced in the next few weeks.

While it is likely to be comparable in length to the old Channel 4 show, it is thought that Endemol will take Big Brother back to basics to try to rediscover the elements that made the format a hit, rather than repeating the excesses of the later series.

Pushing the multiplatform elements will also be a key focus, including using social media in a more innovative way than previously.

Sources indicated that C5 owner Richard Desmond views BB as “the perfect match” for C5.

(Broadcast Now)

[georgehudson]

I think they should put normal people in there, uncluding sluts and dickheads though, (for entertainment) alongside normal people but don't go tooooooo much like BB1, make sure BB puts in twists and stirs things up to the max still!

[daniel-lewis-1985]

Dunno they tried this in BB4 after all the arguments and bitching in BB3 but it fell flat on its arse as everyone knows.

[Sawyer]

Definitely the wrong decision. Although we don't want a revolving door of housemates, we need twists and turns to keep it fresh. The original basic format has been done to death, and it can no longer rely upon just that. If they're going to keep it basic, they should keep the core and principles that is Big Brother; no contact with the outside world. So phones shouldn't even come into it.

Big Brother 5, 6 & 7 were all hits and they were the most twisted series we've had. BB10 could have had an excellent series had they injected abit more cash into the program.

[Jordan.]

Wrong, it'd be too boring having the show how it was in the first series. IMO they need to take it back about half way like around BB5 - BB7 time where it wasn't too basic yet didn't go too OTT like sending housemate out of weekly trips to London and performing magic tricks to the crowd.

[Niall]

I don't think back to basics is always the best of ideas. I think thats what they attempted with BB10 and we all know how badly that turned out. D:

[Tom.]

BB drags towards the end as it is, it will be even worse if there isnt much going on in terms of production. I didn't really like the earlier BB's, I only properly watched BB3 until BB5/6. The others were too boring.

[Glenn.]

To a certain extent. Like the article says, the need to reinvigorate the programme. If its back to basics then so be it. After all, thats all it was when it started.

[Omah]

All the later so-called "twists", casting, scripts and and plot-control ruined the natural dynamics of the original concept ..... :sad:

[Tom.]

I wouldn't object to a series like BB9,CBB7 and UBB though, they were relatively basic yet still had enough twists in. But if its anything like BB1, 2 or 4 then I won't watch it.

[DigitalSid]

They don't mean btw another BB1, they simply mean cutting back on the twists and dropping some of the more elaborate changes to the format implemented over the last few years. So the tasks would probably stay the same (the tasks in BB1 were awfully tedious and were what made it, compared to recent serious, a bit dull) just all the patches to the format they added to keep it fresh over the years would be ditched.

They also mention Endemol wanting to bring back the interactivity of series 1-5.

[Joe.]

Before BB10 it was said to be back to basics, a great series was BB10 but low ratings. BB4 was a flop. I love twists- throw in a new house!

[Jords]

Not as basic as BB1 + BB2, but not as crazy stupid as recent years.

[BBDodge]

Getting the casting right is essential. A good set of HMs will create their own drama.

[daniel-lewis-1985]

Before BB10 it was said to be back to basics, a great series was BB10 but low ratings. BB4 was a flop. I love twists- throw in a new house!

Actually BB4 didnt "Flop" it was a ratings hit averaging over 4.5 million viewers a night.

Have to agree on BB10 though. I really enjoyed that series and the housemates were perfect bar a few

[DigitalSid]

Before BB10 it was said to be back to basics, a great series was BB10 but low ratings. BB4 was a flop. I love twists- throw in a new house!

The BB10 house was said to be back to basics, not sure the show was, they haven't said it themselves since BB4.

(And BB4 was not a flop, critically it was, but ratings wise it did as well as BB2 for the most part and even at it's dullest was more watchable than the awfulness that was BB8)

[georgehudson]

Wrong, it'd be too boring having the show how it was in the first series. IMO they need to take it back about half way like around BB5 - BB7 time where it wasn't too basic yet didn't go too OTT like sending housemate out of weekly trips to London and performing magic tricks to the crowd.

This, This, This! :dance:

[Smithy]

They keep saying "we're going back to basics this series" (when it was on C4) and it never worked it was just boring. They need to throw a bunch of nutters in a house and torture them :bigsmile:

[BigBrotherfan4ever]

Its worth a try.

But i dont think we should go back to basics like BB1/2, what really dont want to see is BB manipulating situations like they did in later C4 series.

[georgehudson]

I wouldn't object to a series like BB9,CBB7 and UBB though, they were relatively basic yet still had enough twists in. But if its anything like BB1, 2 or 4 then I won't watch it.

BB9!!! :love: :love::love:

[Omah]

The BB10 house was said to be back to basics, not sure the show was, they haven't said it themselves since BB4.

(And BB4 was not a flop, critically it was, but ratings wise it did as well as BB2 for the most part and even at it's dullest was more watchable than the awfulness that was BB8)

Apart from the "product placement" that was Cameron Stout, I really liked BB4 - it may have been "slow", but there was a natural dynamic set up by the unpretentious HMs, only spoilt by Cameron's "rigged" trip to Africa - IIRC, at one stage, the house even had an all-day bar run by Ray Shah ..... :cool:

[Omah]

Its worth a try.

But i dont think we should go back to basics like BB1/2, what really dont want to see is BB manipulating situations like they did in later C4 series.

Yeah, my feelings exactly ..... ;)

[BigBrotherfan4ever]

BB9!!! :love: :love::love:

BB9 will always remain my favourite BB on C4, loved it i was glued to it, the whole summer.

[DigitalSid]

They keep saying "we're going back to basics this series" (when it was on C4) and it never worked it was just boring. They need to throw a bunch of nutters in a house and torture them :bigsmile:

They never actually, there were reports of it regularly (as fans did want it for a while around BB7/BB8) but none of it was true. BB4 was intentionally back to basics but PEJ admitted during BB11 that they decided there and then never to do so again as it just didn't work.

[arista]

New Harder Tasks
is the way Forward.

[Omah]

New Harder Tasks
is the way Forward.

What we want is more 24/7 fish-guts, olive-oil and salt all-or-nothing tasks ..... :cool:

[lukee]

normall people with everyday stories not wannabes seeking their five mins !!!

[joeysteele]

I think that is exactly what they need to do because it is the only way it can evolve and progress again in its new set up. I don't think it's either a good or bad thing, as the 3rd option put it it is worth a try though.
Doing that will mean it can only be improved and therefore get even better,meaning likely lots of new series of it in the future.

[Stu]

Depends what you mean by back to basics. I'd take the middle road. Twists are good ... but should be a once a month, permanently game changing deal. The housemates shouldn't be the fifteen minutes of fame ones they intentionally go out and cast but that shouldn't stop them from being total bellends and weirdos either. Anyone who wants a nice little house full of nomal people having a 'fun summer' should be brought out to the pastures and shot.

Look at BB5 as a model example. If you viewed pictures of them they all looked normal. Bar Nadia they had no real 'freak' element you could condense down to one tabloid line. Yet they were a racuous bunch and emotionally unstable.

BB5 and 6 weren't really freak shows at all like everyone says ... they were just dicks. The cast of those shows lived in any inner city suburb. Dicks are good. Freaks are people like Steve etc. People brought in for pure visual shock and to grab headlines but who don't always turn out to be entertaining housemates. They are the ones they need to stay away from.

Years 5-7 were the best. Just follow the example of those years piece by piece, interject a massive new advertising campaign and a few worthwhile format changes that don't change the show too much. And keep away from the garbage production last year or so of the show had. People going in to the house who didn't need to be there, music and montages, people coming out and going back in as part of tasks. What the hell? The whole draw of the series is that they are totally isolated. Not in a holiday home. And the production on the highlight shows themselves was beautifully simplistic. Just camera shots and a narrators voice. That's it. It was like watching a wildlife show with humans.

[bananarama]

I doubt few people would agree as to what "basics" really is!!!!!!! For me going back to basics is not about abandoning "twists" They are essential to keep the format alive.

Basics for me is making rules for the housemates and then enforcing them.......Basic rule that any new entrants are done with new housemates that know as little as possible about the present housemates. Back to basics is enforcing nominations or auto evict those that refuse to nominate for their own strategic reasons.

The only time I would consider being lenient about nominations is at the very very end when close friendships have occured. Even then a refusal should count as an automatic self nomination.

Back to basics is no silly adventures outside the house. Back to basics is not contriving to put housemates at conflict with each other. Expert selection of housemates should ensure natural personality clashes occur without provacation from BB producers.

Back to basics is BB exploiting situations as and when it makes sense to do so. Example the Helen and Paul relationship in BB2.......BB exploited the story line just the right amount to produce a first class series..........

The public also need to go back to basics and manipulate the show for maximum story line content instead of abrubptly ending story line potential with premature evictions of housemates displaying personality overdrive.....

[Omah]

I am surprised, but gratified, that "Worth a try" is well in the lead ..... ;)

[Beastie]

If there is 500 grand at stake.. the housemates should not have an easy ride. There should be constant game playing. Plenty of parties and booze. But then again.. plenty of tasks to keep them occupied. They have to be pretty gruelling tasks. The ones who do the sh!tt!est at the task should automatically be put up for eviction. Don't want any lazy so and so's or "under the radar" types fleeing through the weeks to the final!

[Beastie]

New Harder Tasks
is the way Forward.

This. And the tasks should also determine who is up for eviction. For example.. all the housemates have to stand on a podeum (like bb7) for the longest length of time. The 4 housemates who drop out first are automatically put up for eviction. The winner gets a special prize.

I do think the BBUSA format should interlink a bit with bb12. Changes need to be made or else it will literally fall on it's arse.

[Patrick]

Depends how it's done.

I respect Endemol and trust them enough to not go TOO back to basic like in BB4 - I mean do we need to explain?

If they can reverse a few years back but also keep some elements of the present Big Brother [or at least what was Present].


Keep the house the same, the BB9, BB6 and BB7 houses were the best because they were sexy and modern - don't go back to BB1's style of house for ****** sake!
Make it an event! Like in BB7 when every eviction felt like the nation was speaking about it and this was brilliant, don't cut down on spending money on the stage and exterior presentation.
Speaking of that, if you look at BB1 - BB5's titles compared to nowadays, it's obvious how far they have came. Don't go from amazing graphics to bland and dull.


Basically keep everything the same, just chose normal housemates.

By this I don't mean Josie Gibson, Andrew Edmonds, JJ Bird, Steve Gill, Vanessa McIntosh, Shell Jubin etc

I mean people like Michelle Bass, Dale Howard, John James Parton, Rex Newmark, Glyn Wise etc


The kind of people that we can relate to, who do entertain us in a normal way.

We don't want people like Angel McKenzie as much as I love her, the public want real people!

[Beastie]

Depends how it's done.

I respect Endemol and trust them enough to not go TOO back to basic like in BB4 - I mean do we need to explain?

If they can reverse a few years back but also keep some elements of the present Big Brother [or at least what was Present].


Keep the house the same, the BB9, BB6 and BB7 houses were the best because they were sexy and modern - don't go back to BB1's style of house for ****** sake!
Make it an event! Like in BB7 when every eviction felt like the nation was speaking about it and this was brilliant, don't cut down on spending money on the stage and exterior presentation.
Speaking of that, if you look at BB1 - BB5's titles compared to nowadays, it's obvious how far they have came. Don't go from amazing graphics to bland and dull.


Basically keep everything the same, just chose normal housemates.

By this I don't mean Josie Gibson, Andrew Edmonds, JJ Bird, Steve Gill, Vanessa McIntosh, Shell Jubin etc

I mean people like Michelle Bass, Dale Howard, John James Parton, Rex Newmark, Glyn Wise etc


The kind of people that we can relate to, who do entertain us in a normal way.

We don't want people like Angel McKenzie as much as I love her, the public want real people!


You missed legends like Makosi. We need all of them to be strong, egotistic characters. Bellends to the core.

[Patrick]

BB9 will always remain my favourite BB on C4, loved it i was glued to it, the whole summer.

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z341/jordannn__/Cher%20Lloyd%20GIF/tumblr_lg298sO5uf1qcv6uto1_400.gif

Woo! I'm feeling the BB9 love!

:love:

[Gusto Brunt]

I think they should start with back to basics then think what to do next year.

Seems daft to me for them to continue in the disastrous fashion of last few years of BB on Channel 4.

[AJ.]

They should really take it back to basics rules wise but no need for the house to go back to basics especially when starting a new series on C5!

[bananarama]

Depends how it's done.

I respect Endemol and trust them enough to not go TOO back to basic like in BB4 - I mean do we need to explain?

If they can reverse a few years back but also keep some elements of the present Big Brother [or at least what was Present].


Keep the house the same, the BB9, BB6 and BB7 houses were the best because they were sexy and modern - don't go back to BB1's style of house for ****** sake!
Make it an event! Like in BB7 when every eviction felt like the nation was speaking about it and this was brilliant, don't cut down on spending money on the stage and exterior presentation.
Speaking of that, if you look at BB1 - BB5's titles compared to nowadays, it's obvious how far they have came. Don't go from amazing graphics to bland and dull.


Basically keep everything the same, just chose normal housemates.

By this I don't mean Josie Gibson, Andrew Edmonds, JJ Bird, Steve Gill, Vanessa McIntosh, Shell Jubin etc

I mean people like Michelle Bass, Dale Howard, John James Parton, Rex Newmark, Glyn Wise etc


The kind of people that we can relate to, who do entertain us in a normal way.

We don't want people like Angel McKenzie as much as I love her, the public want real people!



The problem is Patrick you list housemates you relate to. We are all different and others will relate to the housemates you reject. All the above mentioned are normal in some peoples eyes.

Now I will tell you what an abnormal housemate is. One that dressess in abnormal manner for attention seeking.

Exagerated sexualties that draw deliberate attention to themselves......

In other words people who invent a personality for the purpose of the show...........Otherwise anyone else regardless to if you relate to them or not has to be deemed normal.......

[Patrick]

I don't think back to basics is always the best of ideas. I think thats what they attempted with BB10 and we all know how badly that turned out. D:

LOL I don't think they 'attempted' that.

In BB10 they attempted to shake it up and change it about, like the interviewing format and stuff.

But that was to distract people from the fact they were basically forced into a 'Back to Basics' series.
As the credit crunch clearly hit Channel 4 BIG in 2009, they went from having this in 2008:

http://images1.fanpop.com/images/photos/1400000/BB9-House-big-brother-uk-1482140-399-266.jpg

To this in 2009:

http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/jun2009/1/2/image-1-for-big-brother-10-house-gallery-571475453.jpg


Wrong, it'd be too boring having the show how it was in the first series. IMO they need to take it back about half way like around BB5 - BB7 time where it wasn't too basic yet didn't go too OTT like sending housemate out of weekly trips to London and performing magic tricks to the crowd.

I agree with you so much it's unreal, we have the same Brain cells.
:worship:

[Patrick]

I think they should start with back to basics then think what to do next year.

Seems daft to me for them to continue in the disastrous fashion of last few years of BB on Channel 4.

Yeah but keep in mind,

I know we see this all the time for Big Brother series coming up;
But BB12 or CBB8 rather, is make or break for Big Brother's future now on Channel 5.

They can't start of like they did in BB1, people are expecting what we've got in the past 5 years over on CH4.

We as in us big fans, would certainly tune into BB13 and CBB9 but if BB12 and CBB8 use Back to Basics and it flops completely then who's going to stick around to see Big Brother 13's new and fresh format?

[Beastie]

The BB10 house was awful.

BB9 house was good.

We still need to keep a well designed, amazing house! With lots of key features. The only change is there needs to be more gruelling hard tasks. Not just playing for the luxury shopping budget. But also playing for immunity from eviction. Etc.. or even.. MONEY!

[TomRocksUrSocks]

Right, this is what I think they should do:

House Style: BB6, BB7, BB11
Housemate Style: BB6, SOME BB7 (not mentally unstable types, then again, Nikki was a bit mental but was a great housemate...OK, so maybe some mental housemates but not serious ones, like that guy who threatened to commit suicide. :shocked:)
Eviction Show Style: Early BBs where they'd interview the crowd mixed with BB5 - BB7 style.
Task Style: BB5 - BB9

Perfect series. :spin:

[Patrick]

Right, this is what I think they should do:

House Style: BB6, BB7, BB11
Housemate Style: BB6, SOME BB7 (not mentally unstable types, then again, Nikki was a bit mental but was a great housemate...OK, so maybe some mental housemates but not serious ones, like that guy who threatened to commit suicide. :shocked:)
Eviction Show Style: Early BBs where they'd interview the crowd mixed with BB5 - BB7 style.
Task Style: BB5 - BB9

Perfect series. :spin:


No, No, No, NO!


BB11? That house was ******ing disgrace, it looked Beautiful in the pictures and looked tiny and ugly on TV.

That's entertaining, we loved Shabaz so much.

Oh yeah, let's all listen to what the chavs in the audience have to say.

I almost agree here, but BB11 had some of the best tasks of all time.

[Gillian-73]

I think it could work but really the most important thing is getting the right housemates because then it'll gel either way!

[Tony1111]

I'm hoping it's more basic Not Series 4 basic though that was a bit boring although Cameron going to the African house was a good twist. I'm hoping 5 through 7! :)