[jimmytubbs]

from ibb sorry if this has allready been posted

Speculation mounts about BBLB as BB9 exec Phil Edgar-Jones confirms that this year’s series will be tougher than ever before.

With regard to BBLB, take lightly for now. We’ll confirm nearer the time whether it’s airing on Channel 4 or E4 this year.

This year’s gameplaying will undoubtedly shatter the housemates’ hopes of an easy summer.

Speaking recently, Edgar-Jones highlighted that gameplay will be a vital part of the show this year: “We haven’t set this programme up as a massive social experiment- it is a GAME SHOW.”
In brief

* BB9’s executive producer says they have set the show up to be a game show, NOT a social experiment.
* The production team have tried to get a good, diverse mix of housemates.
* BBLB could be back on Channel 4 this year for the first time in years.

This comes just a few days after it was revealed housemates in the upcoming series will have to face a brutal “war and order” theme in the famous house. A spokeswoman earlier said: “Big Brother knows that power corrupts. And this year’s gameplaying will undoubtedly shatter the housemates’ hopes of an easy summer.”

The change in emphasis of the format comes after the poor ratings BB8 obtained last year, averaging a record low of 3.8 million viewers. Edgar-Jones admits that despite the show being on air for nearly a decade, ratings must start to rise to secure the future of the show: ”We want lots of people to watch the show because that’s what we’re judged by, whether we like it or not.”

We try to create a good mix of people, casting a few outlandish housemates and reflecting a regional mix of the whole country.

E4 showed the American format this year, they say because of a lack of other US imports due to the writers’ strike. This was, reportedly though, done to accustom British viewers to a gameplay style prominent in the US version, which BBUK producers are looking very closely at. A source revealed that this year’s Big Brother could copy a twist from the US version forcing contestants to appoint a weekly head of house: “The weaker links might be made leaders, while others may see their control vanish. Expect sparks to fly!”

In addition to the show’s possible format changes, Edgar-Jones revealed that the housemates will always be the most important aspect of the show: “We try to create a good mix of people, casting a few outlandish housemates and reflecting a regional mix of the whole country.” Edgar-Jones who “auditions everybody and ultimately makes the selection of who goes into the house” hinted at who might be going in next month: “Maybe there will be a couple of interesting Irish people in there.”

Meanwhile rumours are flying around about BBLB this year after Applausestore started advertising for tickets with this piece of text: “BBLB is back with two exciting new presenters George Lamb & Zezi Ifore…so it’s now a case of “little brother and little sister” with the duo taking the the reigns of the ultimate BB fan show… oh and they are looking for you, yes YOU to join them LIVE on Channel 4.”

BBLB hasn’t aired on Channel 4 since the days of Big Brother 6, discounting its time as Little Breakfast on Channel 4 for CBB4. Where do you want BBLB to air?

[serensilver]

it's a game every year aint it? well it's meant to be!

[Cody™]

Its all speculation. Im not believing a word of the rumours until i hear it from Davina's mouth.

[Barbie]

BB is a game just not an obvious one.. like Cody i wont believe anything unless Davina says it

[Spike]

Its always been a game but this year I think the game will be more obvious.

[BarnetFC]

i heard that the prize fund is still going to be £100,000 - i hope not - it needs to be at least £300,000 for me - it'll make them even more competitive

[Spike]

If the series is to focus on game play this year the prize fund needs to increase alot.