ThisisBigBrother.com - UK TV Forums - Brian Dowling Interview with MSN [talks about no LF]

Quote:

Congratulations on the Big Brother job!
Thank you so much. I never get tired of hearing that.

You must be worried about Davina comparisons so what are you going to do differently?
I think initially what helps is that the show is moving to a different channel and there's a new presenter.

Yes it's the same job and the same role, but I think I'd like people to give me an opportunity first before they judge. Eventually, I will make my mark on it - as will Channel 5.

But being compared to Davina is a compliment; there's nothing wrong with that.

Davina had a catchphrase - we all know what it was -have you thought about what yours will be yet?
I'd like to say: "Big Brother House this is Brian. You're live on Channel 5, you know what to do!" Or, Big Brother House this is Brian. You're live on Channel 5, heyyyyyyyyy!" [laughs]

While fans are excited about Big Brother's return, they are a little unhappy about the lack of a live feed. What would you say to those that insist it's a vital part of the Big Brother experience?
I'm quite surprised that there is no live feed, but I'm thinking it might make fans want to watch the main show even more - for all the gossip and exclusives - so that's kind of clever in a way.

Also, the thing about the live feed is that you couldn't always hear what was going on for legal reasons and it could be a bit boring at times - people sleeping and doing nothing - I don't want to watch that.

When you think about where you are today with Big Brother, do you pinch yourself?
I just said to someone: "I can't believe I'm on the cover of New magazine!" I've not worked on anything as big as this in my life. It's still so weird and very, very flattering.

There are so many reality shows out there now, do you think there's room for Big Brother to come back?
There's such a huge fanbase for Big Brother and I think Endemol and Channel 5 know that there's still life in the show and that people are still interested and they still love it.

I think Big Brother is the original reality show - it always has been. It was one of the defining shows of the last decade. It could actually change people's lives - it changed mine.

Who would you most like to see in Celebrity Big Brother?
Someone like Victoria Beckham would be amazing - it's never gonna happen - but people like that. Charlie Sheen would be phenomenal and an amazing booking because he literally lives by his own rules. Anyone that's quite eccentric like that is always fun to watch.

What do you like most about Emma Willis, your partner-in-crime for Big Brother's Bit On The Side?
I've known Emma for quite a while; she's a huge fan of the show and she's a very talented, capable presenter. Emma's done a lot of live stuff so she'll be in her element.

There's no better person for the show. She's very funny and she doesn't take herself too seriously.

What sort of tasks are you hoping to see on Channel 5's Big Brother?
Something around a Halloween theme because we're having Big Brother at Halloween for the first time ever! I'd also like something that scares the sh*t out of the contestants! And I want Father Christmas to come into the house.

How will you judge success for this Big Brother? What will determine that you've all cracked it?
Obviously the show in itself - any show that's successful - is reflected in ratings. But you don't necessarily have to just have huge ratings as the barometer of success for Big Brother.

I think when you're in Sainsbury's and Tesco and you hear people talking about it - I think they call it water cooler moments - that means something too. I know Big Brother is going to be successful, Big Brother always is. I'm not doubting Channel 5 - they'll make it amazing.