My take on Big Brother throughout 2015.

[zakman440]

I'm calling it "Big Brother's Big Review". It's basically a blog post reflecting on this year's civilian and celebrity Big Brother's - what's worked and what hasn't and how to improve for next year. I won't post all of it on here as it's quite long but if you want to give it a read the link is here:

https://zakman440.wordpress.com/2015/12/14/big-brothers-big-review-2015/

[*mazedsalv**]

Thanks for this, and it kind of reflects my views.

CBB15 was controversial, it was funny but sometimes hard to watch. The first 2 weeks or so was among the best weeks of any BB ever in my opinion with a lot happening. From the launch, to Jeremy's ejection (which helped the show grab the two best Saturdays ratings ever on C5 for his ejection and the Sat after, 2.3m and 2.6m overnights), Ken's ejection, Perez V everyone, that bedroom row with Perez in the garden and Alexander walking due to Perez. Those 2 weeks were stellar, it's a shame that from that time on, the focus was too much on Perez, that they practically begged for him to stay when he wanted out, developing the secret room twist for him.

BB16 is a hard one. It was a decent start, but the rating proved that the current audience didn't want "normal interaction" with minimal manipulation. On ratings terms, I think 4 in 4out was needed as the week leading to that was barely getting 800k, it increased to around the 1.3m level after the twist and headed in the 1.4m region for the "legends". BUT, despite the twist being better for the show for ratings, it was much more damaging to the show in other respects, eg. losing a lot of the remaining fans support in the long run. It lead to what I think was joint with BB11 as the worst final.

CBB16 came along, and I can actually now call it my favourite summer CBB. Yes, initially I didn't like UK V USA much but the mix of Americans were decent, as were their interractions with each other and the Brits. We see rows between nations in their own group and in the other groups, but (as a fan of both), really enjoyed James and Austin's journey in the house. Their ups and downs, as well as everyone else falling apart around them, fighting each other, which lead to that night where a lot of people got involved in rows.

What CBB16 did well was the feed, decent mix of HMs to watch interact, nowhere near as much manipulation as BB16, as well as an original twist. It was still a room twist, but I like that they got played. It was brilliant to watch 2 people so happy to have had the public onside, only to find out the joke was on them. Either way, the winner of the series is actually my favourite on C5 CBB, with Gary 2nd.

To sum up...

CBB15- Very good, especially the first 2 weeks, it lacked in the last 2 weeks.
BB16- Pretty much a shambles, a waste of a series if I knew who would win from the start.
CBB16- Consistent all the way through. Consistently good.

Favourite summer CBB- CBB16
Favourite winter CBB- CBB13 (also my 2nd fave ever).

Despite the positive CBB summer reaction, I want it axed. Keep it as Jan CBB and June BB.

[Jason.]

Thanks for this, and it kind of reflects my views.

CBB15 was controversial, it was funny but sometimes hard to watch. The first 2 weeks or so was among the best weeks of any BB ever in my opinion with a lot happening. From the launch, to Jeremy's ejection (which helped the show grab the two best Saturdays ratings ever on C5 for his ejection and the Sat after, 2.3m and 2.6m overnights), Ken's ejection, Perez V everyone, that bedroom row with Perez in the garden and Alexander walking due to Perez. Those 2 weeks were stellar, it's a shame that from that time on, the focus was too much on Perez, that they practically begged for him to stay when he wanted out, developing the secret room twist for him.

BB16 is a hard one. It was a decent start, but the rating proved that the current audience didn't want "normal interaction" with minimal manipulation. On ratings terms, I think 4 in 4out was needed as the week leading to that was barely getting 800k, it increased to around the 1.3m level after the twist and headed in the 1.4m region for the "legends". BUT, despite the twist being better for the show for ratings, it was much more damaging to the show in other respects, eg. losing a lot of the remaining fans support in the long run. It lead to what I think was joint with BB11 as the worst final.

CBB16 came along, and I can actually now call it my favourite summer CBB. Yes, initially I didn't like UK V USA much but the mix of Americans were decent, as were their interractions with each other and the Brits. We see rows between nations in their own group and in the other groups, but (as a fan of both), really enjoyed James and Austin's journey in the house. Their ups and downs, as well as everyone else falling apart around them, fighting each other, which lead to that night where a lot of people got involved in rows.

What CBB16 did well was the feed, decent mix of HMs to watch interact, nowhere near as much manipulation as BB16, as well as an original twist. It was still a room twist, but I like that they got played. It was brilliant to watch 2 people so happy to have had the public onside, only to find out the joke was on them. Either way, the winner of the series is actually my favourite on C5 CBB, with Gary 2nd.

To sum up...

CBB15- Very good, especially the first 2 weeks, it lacked in the last 2 weeks.
BB16- Pretty much a shambles, a waste of a series if I knew who would win from the start.
CBB16- Consistent all the way through. Consistently good.

Favourite summer CBB- CBB16
Favourite winter CBB- CBB13 (also my 2nd fave ever).

Despite the positive CBB summer reaction, I want it axed. Keep it as Jan CBB and June BB.

Brilliant post. :clap1:

I agree with the last point. Axe summer CBB and just have one a year in January.

A 4 week CBB in January and a 10 week BB in June is the best way to go. Having three series per year (two of which from the same format) just makes the show more stale.

A reason why shows like IAC and TA still do well especially IAC is because it's developed into its own time slot and it's only one once a year and that's in November. It feels more of an event because of that whereas with CBB there's another series about 6 months after the previous one ends (or about 3 months separating the summer CBB from the January CBB the following year). When it's on less, you look more forwards to it, I find. It was like that on C4 when CBB was a January thing same way IAC is a November thing. But now we get another series in August, which is just unnecessary

[zakman440]

Just wanted to bump this for anyone who hasn't seen it...

[Jamie89]

Great blog post! I loved everything you said about Timebomb, especially mentioning Emma's “You were all being nice...” quote during 4in4out which really rattled me at the time. Basically summed up the producers mentality.

I preferred the summer CBB to the winter one this year. My memories of CBB15 are clouded by Hopkins which is a shame since there were some really likeable and potentially great HM's had they been given the opportunity to shine (Alicia for example :lovedup:)

All of the changes you listed are spot on and would improve the quality of the show dramatically. You need to apply for a job as a producer or something and make them happen lol!!!

[Jason.]

I used to think CBB15 was better than CBB16. But looking back CBB16 was far superior.

1) The CBB16 cast in terms of entertainment was better - CBB15 had an amazing lineup too, especially in terms of big names, but tbh they were all wasted as the producers focused on two housemates - Perez and Katie H.

2) Unlike CBB15 (and BB15/CBB14) CBB16 didn't have that two rivarly housemates taking over the series thing. I felt that in CBB16 everybody (well almost everybody) got a chance to shine and contribute something to the series. You had James and Austin, Jenna and Farrah, as well as housemates like Janice, Gail, Scoop, Chlovi, Sherrie all of which brought something to the show and weren't wasted on a ruining feud between two housemates. In CBB15, so many housemates were wasted because the producers only cared about Perez and Katie H. Big signings like Patsy and Katie Price (whom was paid half a million to appear and is probably the biggest UK name to enter) hardly got any airtime just because of that tiresome feud alone. As well as housemates like Alicia, Calum, Kavana who were again hardly focused on because of this.

3) I personally like almost everyone from the CBB16 cast whereas I dislike about 70% of the CBB15 cast.

4) CBB16 had way more memorable moments and the production was a step up from that of the summer series it had just followed as well as CBB15.

[zakman440]

Thanks for the feedback guys - it's been interesting reading all of your opinions as well! I just wanted to bump this before the launch tomorrow in case anyone else was interested :).

[BlankSpace]

Maybe we should spam this to Channel 5 ;) Not that they'd listen, but it's worth a shot lol

[Jason.]

I love zak's promo of his own blog <33