Older People...

[Chilltown]

I've noticed that on the UK and AU versions of Big Brother they never really have any older people (Age 40+). So I have two questions, do you think they may go more diverse with age with BBUK8? If not, then why.

[MarkWaldorf]

We have like, 1 or 2 older people on UK. Ahmed, Shahbaz, Derek...

[cgimusic]

I think that it wouldn't be as easy to get old people on the show.

[Chilltown]

Wasn't Ahmed like in his late thirties? (same with Shabaz)

Now I'm not saying geezers like 60 or 70 year old people. I'm just talking about late-middle aged people. The reason I ask is because on US BB there's usually a token older guy in his 40's or so. Chicken George, Kent Blackwell, Jack Owens, etc.. and always provided for good entertainment because everyone of them with the exception of Chicken George and Jack clashed with the younger crowd because of old time ideas. Always makes for good TV. So in effect you either end up getting a nice old guy you root for (Chicken George, Jack) or someone you despise and can't wait to see be voted out (Kent, Cappy)

[Mike]

Nothing against old people being on the show but for me each series a maxiumum of 2 or 3 is enough just to keep the group in shape, majority of the time they end up just going to bed early and being a fan of the live feed late night that kind of dissapoints me, don't get me wrong though some are the complete opposite of this.

[~Kizwiz~]

W've had quite a few older BB people, those three mentioned by Markus, Sandy, Suzi, Lea, Roberto. I think having all ages in the house gives the show diversity

[Ruth*Star]

i think having old people layers the show out than just having younger people on the show

[Jay]

I don't care if there 20 or 60 if there entertaining then get them in.

[Chilltown]

I mean don't get me wrong, have young unenhibited crazy people on the show is great. But they need also someone mature, like a father figure of the house to help keep some of them in line. It would definitly benefit more from having 1 older father figure and some people in their mid to late thirties.

[cepb]

they need to have some over 60s

[Chilltown]

Maybe 1 over 60, not more than one. Otherwise it's a complete retirment home. lol jk but I'm not saying overload the cast with middle aged and elderly people. I'm just saying there should be more older housemates in the house. Maybe 6 a season, half young, half old, and then someone who is like 60/70 years old.

[cepb]

Originally posted by Chilltown
Maybe 1 over 60, not more than one. Otherwise it's a complete retirment home. lol jk but I'm not saying overload the cast with middle aged and elderly people. I'm just saying there should be more older housemates in the house. Maybe 6 a season, half young, half old, and then someone who is like 60/70 years old.

totally agree with you. one over 60 would be enough probably.

[MarkWaldorf]

They're great entertainment. I think it's cause some try to 'fit' in with the younger lot. Hence Shahbaz last year craving attention a lot.

Derek was hilarious, Sandy climbed over a roof, Susie become one of the most boring housemates in history. They've left a trademark.

[cepb]

Originally posted by Markus™
They're great entertainment. I think it's cause some try to 'fit' in with the younger lot. Hence Shahbaz last year craving attention a lot.

Derek was hilarious, Sandy climbed over a roof, Susie become one of the most boring housemates in history. They've left a trademark.

they all leave their own mark in bb history. :elephant::elephant:

[Revol]

CBB5 had quite a few "old" people at the start: Carole, Cleo, Dirk, Jermaine, Ken and Leo. I thought they were mixed well with the younger Housemates, and BB8 should hopefully see a few older HMs too.

[lily.]

As long as they are not dull, it doesn't really matter how old they are. Unfortunately we have had quite a few "dull" HMs, but they have been all different ages.

It can be interesting when there's a good age mix, because it creates a situation whereby people are being forced to interact with someone who they wouldn't ordinarily be around in their day to day lives. It also creates some unusual friendships.

[Arneldo]

We have ahad a good mix of young, old and middle-ages i think. I dont the people ages 40+ are really that intrested in BB, so wouldnt audition. A lot of the older housemates have been very entertaining in one way or another, i mean look at Jackie Stallone! The oldest ever housemate to apper in a BB and she was brillant. Jackie was 86 when she entered the house.

[Romantic Old Bird]

God, I feel old. According to you lot I'm right at the end of late middle age and just about to fall off my twig.

As for being boring - like anyone else, for me it depends on the company and the booze. Stamina -wise - I work full time and I have a part-time job as well. They are both physically and mentally demanding.

I also work out in the gym four times a week for between 1 1/2 and 2 hours a time.

I arrive at work wide awake, and am (touch wood) very rarely off sick. A lot of my young colleagues are often off sick, or walking round like zombies.

That's more about having a spark of life than being young or old.

I'm sure I'd do boring things like tidy up, try to get them to eat healthily, and mother them. But I bet I'd make them laugh as well.

Don't worry, I'm not going to apply.

[James]

I think the most disappointing and boring housemates have been the youngest ones. Not that it would happen but I'd raise the minimum age for contestants to 20 - 21.

[*M*a*TT*H*ew*]

In BB7, we had 5 housemates who were over 30.

[James]

Originally posted by *M*a*TT*H*ew*
In BB7, we had 5 housemates who were over 30.

...out of 22.

[eyeonu]

I like older people. They add stability to the group, most of the time!

[Cody™]

we had uncle ken LOL

[lily.]

Originally posted by James
I think the most disappointing and boring housemates have been the youngest ones. Not that it would happen but I'd raise the minimum age for contestants to 20 - 21.

I would agree with that, cuz I think that too young can be just as big a problem as too old. Then again, Nikki was over 21 and she was the most immature HM ever seen. So just because someone is say 20 years old, doesn't mean that they act their age unfortunately.

[eyeonu]

Originally posted by krazy1
we had uncle ken LOL
TOOOOOO OLD!

[Nikkos]

old peopl are boring we want more teens!

[*M*a*TT*H*ew*]

Originally posted by James
Originally posted by *M*a*TT*H*ew*
In BB7, we had 5 housemates who were over 30.

...out of 22.

Yes, but 4 of them were out of the 14 that were young, so it is quite good really.

[lily.]

Originally posted by Nikkos
old peopl are boring we want more teens!

Way to generalise there Nikkos. :thumbs:

[Sunny_01]

Originally posted by Nikkos
old peopl are boring we want more teens!

Define old for us Nikkos? do you mean anyone that isnt a teen is old, anyone not in their 20's is old etc....

At 36 I must be geriatric lol

[GiRTh]

In BB5 the average age was about 25 and I think that is why it was one of the best. Young people are all too similar on the show . We need older poeple to make the show more interesting. For me, the ideal age for a BB housemates is 25-30. People who have actually achieved the odd thing in their lives.

[Revol]

I think we should have a couple of over 40s, maybe even an OAP?

[Sunny_01]

Originally posted by GiRTh
In BB5 the average age was about 25 and I think that is why it was one of the best. Young people are all too similar on the show . We need older poeple to make the show more interesting. For me, the ideal age for a BB housemates is 25-30. People who have actually achieved the odd thing in their lives.

I agree, the younger HM's certainly have a role but I prefer to see those that have done a little living. I loved Glynn but he had no life skills or experience to bring with him and we had to kind of watch him grow up!

[*M*a*TT*H*ew*]

Here are all the age averages of each series for more details:

BB1 - 28
BB2 - 28
BB3 - 26
BB4 - 27
BB5 - 25
BB6 - 25
BB7 - 25

[Mrluvaluva]

I think a broader age range would be good. BB is enjoed by all ages. Somebody mentioned earlier that "older" people are maybe not interested in BB. I am 38 and love it, and I know people in their forties who do too.

[the_chosen_one]

I hope I dont offend any old people but I hope theres none on BB8. Theres really no need for old people, they never have any fun, they never make anybody laugh or anything. BB is for young people to go on tv and entertain the nation with excitement and parties. Old people have had theyre chance, they should stay at home. LOL:dance::dance:

[Mrluvaluva]

Originally posted by party*boy
I hope I dont offend any old people but I hope theres none on BB8. Theres really no need for old people, they never have any fun, they never make anybody laugh or anything. BB is for young people to go on tv and entertain the nation with excitement and parties. Old people have had theyre chance, they should stay at home. LOL:dance::dance:


Depends on the person. What do you class as an "old person"?

[the_chosen_one]

LOL Anybody over 30. But even younger people than that come on acting like old cogers like that guy from BB2 doing all the cleaning and moaning.

[Mrluvaluva]

Originally posted by party*boy
LOL Anybody over 30. But even younger people than that come on acting like old cogers like that guy from BB2 doing all the cleaning and moaning.


Lol. Aye. I must ba ancient in your mind then. Like you said. Some younger people can act older than their years. But. some older people can act younger than their years also. It depends on the individual. There isn't a magic switch that flicks when you become 30 and makes you boring.

[Revol]

Originally posted by party*boy
I hope I dont offend any old people but I hope theres none on BB8. Theres really no need for old people, they never have any fun, they never make anybody laugh or anything. BB is for young people to go on tv and entertain the nation with excitement and parties. Old people have had theyre chance, they should stay at home. LOL:dance::dance:

Dirk Benedict was in his 60s and he made me laugh.

And let's not get onto the subject of Leo Sayer...:laugh2:

[lily.]

Originally posted by party*boy
LOL Anybody over 30......

FFS party*boy. How old are you then? Cuz I remember thinking that 25 was old when I was bout 12.

[Callum]

I think a good mix of housemates would work, including some OLD people! They're good influence to the other hm's so they act like mother/father figures which is needed in BB. It would be quite good to see a lively old woman with bundles of energy, ending up winning BB. That would be brilliant viewing :tongue: Thinking about it, there hasnt really been an OLD winner of BB. So, maybe this years the year!! :rolleyes:

[the_chosen_one]

Originally posted by Stropz
Originally posted by party*boy
LOL Anybody over 30......

FFS party*boy. How old are you then? Cuz I remember thinking that 25 was old when I was bout 12.

Im 20:bigsmile: but I wouldnt be cheeky enough to try and get on BB if I was over 30.:nono: Its not for old people, every single year they act old and boring and stop all the fun from happening so the best thing would be to just have young people. LOL Im not making any friends here am I!:blush2::tongue::spin2:

[Dan_]

The likes of Ahmed and Derek were older housemates but they were certainly more entertaining than people like Vanessa and Bonnie who were all young.You're only as old as you feel as the saying goes.

[Mike]

If they choose the right people i.e Derek and Ahmed then for me it's not a problem because they were actually good entertainment, it's a risk the producers have to take really, it's always good to have a couple of olders.

[lily.]

FFS Chosen one.. way to be ageist. I better fetch my slippers...

[Mrluvaluva]

Originally posted by eyeonu
Originally posted by krazy1
we had uncle ken LOL
TOOOOOO OLD!


No this is ageist.

[lily.]

Is that the same as racist? It's another of the "ists" isn't it?

[Mrluvaluva]

Originally posted by Stropz
Is that the same as racist? It's another of the "ists" isn't it?

Aye lol.

[James]

Well, as I said, I wouldn't have teenagers on Big Brother. When people say they don't want older housemates because they think the older HMs are boring, I think it is more you just want to see people you identify with.

If they were serious about BB being a proper reality show, and not just an 'audition' for tabloid z-list celebrities and glamour models, they would get a wide range of ages, occupations and backgrounds. But they're not and there's no real incentive for a lot of people to go on the show, anyway, so it won't happen.

[Mrluvaluva]

I agree James

[Chilltown]

This is what I say:

5 People in their 20's
3 People in their 30's
2 People in their 40's
2 People that are 50+

Satisfying, no? Seems overall fair.

[lily.]

I say leave it to the producers to decide if someone is "interesting" enough to be on it, and really that has nothing to do with age/colour/class/gender/sexual preference or anything else.

[GiRTh]

Originally posted by *M*a*TT*H*ew*
Here are all the age averages of each series for more details:

BB1 - 28
BB2 - 28
BB3 - 26
BB4 - 27
BB5 - 25
BB6 - 25
BB7 - 25 This is somewhat misleading. BB6 had Craig, Leslie and Vanessa who were all under 20. Also, Makosi, Kinga, Saskia, Maxwell and Science who were 20-25. The only reason the average is 25 is due to Roberto and Derek who were 38 and 40.

[lily.]

Originally posted by GiRTh
Originally posted by *M*a*TT*H*ew*
Here are all the age averages of each series for more details:

BB1 - 28
BB2 - 28
BB3 - 26
BB4 - 27
BB5 - 25
BB6 - 25
BB7 - 25 This is somewhat misleading. BB6 had Craig, Leslie and Vanessa who were all under 20. Also, Makosi, Kinga, Saskia, Maxwell and Science who were 20-25. The only reason the average is 25 is due to Roberto and Derek who were 38 and 40.

Very true. Average age doesn't really tell us anything.

[Mrluvaluva]

It's not about the age, it's about the personality. Put bad nan in from Catherine Tate I say! lol What a ****in liberty!

[the_chosen_one]

LMAO! So funny mr. LuvaLuva, but it proves my point that old people are mean and horrible and young people are nice and like to have fun. haha

Only joking mr. LuvaLuva and Stropz, i know some old people who are nice, I just want to see young people like myself. lol:whistle::spin2:

[bananarama]

People in theit 40's are not old. They should be by then more mature.....Which may make them boring.

What matters with a show like BB is not age but flexible personaity (young at heart) and physical fittness...

Most older people ie. In their 50's and 60's would probably be far to wise to enter such a cruel format of a show so that age group is unlikely to appear.....

If a 60 year old is fit and young at heart they could be just as interesting as a 20 year old but sadly not as glamourous. which is also a reason for youngsters not to want to see older people on the show. :bigsmile: