Our neighbours in Big Brother
The Big Brother house at Elstree Studios is once again empty, after all the excitement of the past few months. Film historian PAUL WELSH takes a behind-the-scenes look at the reality TV phenomenon.
Well, the latest Big Brother series is now history and the contestants are, no doubt, all out there hoping to turn their moment in the limelight into cash or even media careers.
For most it is a dream unlikely to come true, as within months the media will lose interest. Although I understand the intellectually challenged Jade Goody from Big Brother 3 has had the last laugh by becoming a millionairess.
Nasty Nick, from Big Brother 1, apparently now has a small property empire, having once been the most hated man' in Britain. I don't know why, because he was only playing the show for what it is a competition and a possible launch pad to becoming a celebrity'.
Last year's winner, Nadia, must have enjoyed the experience, as I am told she subsequently entered the Australian version.
Executive producer Sharon Powers said: "There is no identikit' housemate. When someone has something extra they genuinely stand out.
"The audition process comprises many stages over several months as we get to know the potential housemates as much as possible.
"My favourite moments include Nadia winning in 2004, showing a nation had supported and embraced her emotional journey. I also remember Jade innocently asking, Am I a minger?'"
The Big Brother team held auditions in Edinburgh, Newcastle, Manchester, Dublin, Birmingham, Cardiff and London. Around 2,700 were given a chance to sell themselves' in the diary room, and eventually 13 were selected.
Apparently all contestants are police screened and checked by psychotherapists, and those taking part receive only flat-rate out-of-pocket expenses, similar to jury service payments.
Davina McCall appears to be wedded to presenting the eviction night shows. "They would have to cut off my right arm before I would pass on the torch to anyone else," she says. "One of my favourite moments was in an earlier series when winner Craig gave his prize money to a friend to pay for an operation. It literally brought out goosebumps on me."
I met Dermot O'Leary, who presents Big Brother's Little Brother, when we worked on a TV documentary together about Star Wars and he seemed a very friendly guy. He confessed to a strange habit. "I kiss my bedroom window every day really weird isn't it? When I was little I also used to say a prayer at the same time."
I wonder if the presenters are also checked out by psychotherapists.
The first Big Brother house cost £350,000 to build at a London studio but had to be demolished after two series, reportedly due to planning concerns. The one at Elstree Studios cost £480,000 and sits in what was once the outdoor tank for the 1950s film Moby Dick, starring Gregory Peck.
I understand that Big Brother mostly appeals to the 16 to 34 age range, and, frighteningly, more young people vote for reality shows than in general elections.
Personally, they could not pay me enough to take part in such a show, especially as I visited the house a couple of years ago and found it claustrophobic.
However, with the right mix of contestants, I can see how it can be almost addictive and have found myself watching the edited highlights programme.
Whether the goings-on in the Big Brother house represent a landmark in Elstree's history is debatable.
But how are they going to top it all next year?
5:27pm Thursday 1st September 2005
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