i like this series too. I mainly like it because I've become too involved in the Kate and Spencer thing, and I like Alison and Jonny.
I've also found people I hate with a passion, like Jade and Adele (aka the coven)
I didn't watch last years from the start, and i would say the characters as a whole were wider, more different, but some of the BB2 housemates I really disliked, as well as some of these ones i really dislike (Ahem JADE!) so I won't compare the contestants , because they are just different.
I watched most of BB1, and this series is much better. I just wish that they'd take the bars down after a few weeks - they will get really boring!
I'm sorry a lot of you aren't liking it, but (with all due respect) you won't find other Helens and Pauls, you'll find new characters. Whether you like them or not is your own perogative.
However I don't think this lot are any more boring - the main point is that big brother is refusing to give them any mini tasks, which it should.