[Tom]

BB should be #1 or its a farce. The noughties have been defined through reality TV and z list celebrities. Big Brother started all of that in this decade and not only did it start the boom of reality TV, but it also defined how reality TV is approached. For example The Apprentice wasn't a trashy show at all, but it suddenly became popular when the BBC made it into a Big Brother-style show. And X Factor never really took off until 2007 when Simon started headline grabbing. From Popstars The Rivals right through to X Factor 3 it was about the same amount of people watching each variation. They've managed to double the audience since they took the new approach. Big Brother also started the spin off show, not just for reality TV but for the likes of awards shows and arguably dramas (e.g. Footballers Wives Extra Time).

Without BB we wouldn't have the z list celeb culture we have (whether that is a good or bad thing is open to dispute though). It was the BB housemates that were first on the cover of Heat, followed by other oxygen thieves like Katie Price and Kerry Katona etc. They probably wouldn't have got their TV documentaries had it not been for Big Brother. Thats kind of dying out now, at the same time the ratings for BB fell through the floor and Jade Goody dying, so its all kind of symbolic and a bit poignant really.

And then you can say it has tackled issues such as racism, class and mental health as well as showing appearances aren't everything (a bandwagon BGT has jumped on this year as though its something brand new even though Big Brother did it first). Its made the viewers a bit more broadminded and understanding I think (even if we still laugh at the freaks).

Then above all, it has been a very entertaining show with a very loyal following until the last year or so with a huge following online. I mean what other fanbases will get excited at a 2 second eye flash? I haven't seen an online fan base like this for any other show.

Even though noone watches it anymore, EVERYONE has had something to say about the show whether good or bad, and nobody can deny the impact its had on TV and popular culture. So anything short of number 1 is a joke.