Viewers who have only seen recent BB's really don't know what treasures they missed from the earlier ones. We were entertained 24/7, spoilt with having a choice of 4 screens and being able to choose which housemate we wanted the cameras to follow that day. So in a way what you saw was what you got then. The house worked much more as a unit, as food wasn't as freely available as it is now most meals were taken together, and the housemates never seemed to complain about what they were given, even though at times they were very hungry.
Another factor that made BB2 so memorable was the tasks.....
Week 1 - Keep a fire burning continuously from Sunday to Thursday with two housemates in attendance at all times.
Remember Brian breaking the axe and being so shocked. Helen fast asleep in the deckchair, mouth wide open.
Week 2 - Learn first aid skills and treat casualties at the scene of a meteor crash.
Brian showing his expertise and taking control of teaching them all the numerous elements they needed to pass the task. At the end of the week the housemates were woken in the early hours of the morning with the scenario of a meteor having landed in the garden. Various casualties were laid out on the ground with injuries relating to first aid skills that had be learned during the week. I remember Big Brother saying that housemates should get up, get dressed, and go to the garden and Helen saying "Get Dressed??? As in clothes???" Bless her!!
Week 3 - Know your fellow housemates - Housemates had to memorize 15 facts about each of the housemates.
Week 4 - Dance Task - Each housemate has to reach the podium in 20 seconds, with a partner to perform to their style of music. Occasionally, all housemates will be called to perform a conga, they must assemble in 30 seconds.
I don't think there is anyone who didn't love this task..well maybe apart from Dean that is!!
Week 5 - World Record Attempts - Building the highest sugar cube tower. Eating sweetcorn. Blowing the biggest bubblegum bubble. Eating dry crackers.
Week 6 - Teach an old dog new tricks - Teaching Paddy, a bichon frise eight tricks on command.
To set the scene Dean and Brian were both bored with the task of training Paddy the dog. Each morning Paddy had to be collected from the diary room.
Week 7 - Drum kit task - Disassemble a drum kit take it over 3 obstacles and re assemble in a time limit.
Week 8 - Playground task - involved learning Double Dutch skipping, pogo-ing , hula-hooping, and racing on a spacehopper.
I just loved this task. It really showed how close the housemates were. It was lovely to see them all cheering Helen along to complete the pogo-stick even when they knew they had failed the task, and carrying her around like champion. The Paul and Helen sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G aww!!
As Rach said Brian falling from the space-hopper, and his "Blow the *******ing whistle!" to BB when he completed the Double-Dutch skipping!! Such lovely memories.
Week 9 - Knowing you, Knowing me - A different task each day -
Day 1 learning about a fellow housemates childhood.
Remember Geard...rhymes with 'turd'!!
Day 2 Making clay heads.
I cried with laughing watching this- in fact I still do every time I watch it.
Day 3 To learn a fellow housemates skill. Elizabeth /air cabin crew. Helen/Play Guitar. Brian/Flamenco. Dean/Hairdressing.
Who can forget Dean in Helen's Classy (Crappy) Cuts uniform
Day 5 Questions on each other's politics and morality.
Teasing Helen she had got one question wrong, then her finding out and pointing to them saying in her loudest voice" I hate you!! I hate you!! I hate you!!
There were also various mini tasks - including making a 'Soap Opera' featuring all the housemates,
the 'hats' task, crushing grapes to make wine, cheese tasting, plus numerous Birthdays, all which relieved the boredom in the house. The group were also very inventive having their own Three Mills Tennis Tournament, and making a variety of games like kerplunk and archery to pass time. And of course entertaining themselves by seeing how many was it snakes and ladders pieces would fit on a face???
I could go on and on... 'bliss', but I will let someone else take up the mantle.