[BringItOn]

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s149/...l-5-towie.html




It may feel like it never went away (in many ways it didn't), but ten months since it was left to Rest In Peace by Channel 4, Big Brother is back, alive and kicking with a new home. The auditions for the housemates are now all done and dusted and Reality Bites did some snooping around the London trials last weekend. In between talking to men in chicken costumes and glamour models, we found the time for a quick chat with BB's execs Katy Smith and Susy Price about what lies in store for the show.

Are you pleased with how the auditions have gone?
Susy: "Delighted. You always hope to meet really interesting and quirky people, people who hold your attention. We've met some great people already. Manchester was colourful and excited. London is more of the same."
Katy: "It's always thrilling to do that first interview and when they leave the room, you say, 'housemate! housemate!' It's so exciting when you see that person at such an early stage and you can already see them in the house. We've seen a few of those already, those interesting characters that have got a lot to say."

What are you looking for in contestants at this stage?
Katy: "It's really hard to pin down because we don't look for one particular kind of person. After interviewing person after person, you notice that they tend to say the same sort of things. They say 'I'm crazy' or 'all my friends say that I should do it'. It's really exciting when someone surprises you and says something that you weren't expecting them to say. We all make judgements when people walk in, on what they are wearing and what they look like. If they are different to your expectations that is always exciting. People often have interesting lives and stories to tell. We look for those charismatic traits where someone makes you sit up and listen automatically."

You've both done these castings before. Can you still be shocked by what people say and do?
Susy: "I think people believe that they need to shock us to make their mark. But actually I'd rather someone came in and didn't tell us tales of crazy exploits and that they had a genuine enthusiasm for life and that they were a unique and genuine person. It's not about trying to shock us. We're not looking for a shock factor. People say that we want freaks, but we really don't want freaks. We want people who love life, who will make the house fun to be in and fun to watch. People like Josie from last year. People who are genuine and likeable."

Would you advise people to put away the top hats and novelty costumes then?
Susy: "I almost think you might be at a slight disadvantage if you come in a crazy costume because it's hard to see beyond that. While it certainly catches your eye in the queue and you might get through the first stage, you have to work harder to convey who you are beyond the costume."
Katy: "You have to be able to back it up. People are free to dress however they want to dress if that's their thing. If people want to come dressed in a chicken outfit - great! But when that's all stripped away, you still have to be a brilliantly charismatic person beneath it all."

Do you see the move to Channel 5 as a chance to refresh and rebrand the show?
Katy: "Yeah, absolutely. We're in a fantastic position now. We've got a great show that has loads of brilliant bits to it. The format works, we know that, we have a really loyal fanbase and it's all a proven success. We've got the chance to build on that now with fresh ideas and fresh thoughts. We've got something great and we're in a position to make it even better."
Susy: "I think with any show that is a running series, you want to improve, do new things and excite viewers. We have a great team and we're all still really enthusiastic about it as a show. It's not broken as a show, it's a great format and we'll just continue to do exciting things and improve upon it. It's an opportunity on a different channel to make tweaks here and there and be playful with it if we want to. But, I think the general consensus is that it's a great show. It is and will always be Big Brother and there's nothing wrong with it."

The consensus was that series 11 on Channel 4 was one of the best ever. Does that add extra expectations for you?
Katy: "I think last year was a real high and the cast were brilliant, but I think of that as a positive. It's great to be coming off the back of a success like last year."

Last year's exec Phil Edgar Jones spent a lot of time on our forums. Do you two spend time reading the opinions and ideas of fans?
Katy: "It's always interesting to see what fans think. They love the show, their opinions are valid and they obviously really care about it. But we always do what we think is best for the show. Often we get accused of manipulating things and people don't always think that we tell the truth. But Big Brother is a very honest programme. We don't twist things and don't manipulate them. If we do change things, we never hide it from the public and are always upfront. I'm always interested in what people have to say, but there do tend to be a lot of conspiracy theories about things going on that really aren't."

The show doesn't have any real benefits for contestants now. Why do so many people still want to take part?
Susy: "I think you're right. It's not a stepping stone anymore to getting your own TV show. But I think that's a good thing, because generally the housemates that are brilliant are the ones who are doing it for the whole experience. They want a challenge and want to meet other people and that always comes across well on the show. Also, there's always a new generation of people who have watched the show as kids who are now old enough to apply. People's interest in the show has never waned over the years."
Katy: "There are still only a very small number of people who have had the Big Brother experience. From that perspective it's still very unique and something money can't buy. Nobody can come in here and bribe us. If you're lucky enough to get through on your personality and character, you are about to have a unique experience that can't be replicated ever again in your life. It's still a social experiment, you'll still have no access to the outside world and people will be watching you. It's the same Big Brother as it's always been."

Would you two ever consider taking part?
Katy: "I'm sure when I was younger, I may have considered it. But now I enjoy being behind the scenes too much and watching other people do it."
Susy "Yeah - the same thing. Maybe a few years ago. I can definitely understand the appeal and why people want the experience of doing it. But no, I'm quite happy these days."

What do you think of the criticism that the show doesn't offer enough care for the contestants?
Katy: "I think we're one of the most responsible programmes in the way we prepare people to go on. We have a really, really strict vetting process. There are numerous stages of auditions, we try and find out as much as we possible can about people. We have psychologists and psychiatrists who see everyone. We really take everyone's welfare into consideration and if we think it's not in someone's best interest to go into the house or they are too vulnerable then we tell them that and don't let them. Also, the aftercare is really thorough and we make provisions coming out of the house and offer support. It can be a life-changing experience and we always make sure people are aware of that. We really clearly explain in great detail to everyone that it might not be the right thing for them. We tell them that this might not be the path to fame and fortune, people may not employ you in the future - there are all sorts of negatives. We give them the worst case scenario and are honest with everyone about the bad points. I think we're very responsible with the casting of the show."

I've seen quite a lot of TOWIE-esque auditionees today. Will you be looking for a TOWIE person, a gypsy and a Geordie to cash in on TV trends?
Susy: "I don't think it happens like that. Reality TV has moved quite a lot since Big Brother started and the landscape of what people are into has changed and that's reflected in the people coming to audition. But it's very much on an individual basis. When you meet people you are not plotting for exact types. It's very much an open book. Until you start meeting people and they start sticking in your head, we have no rules. There are no big meetings or engineering where we say, 'ooh we must have a TOWIE' person."

Do you think with the rise of scripted reality shows, people still want and need Big Brother?
Susy: "Big Brother is the original reality show. And those shows are very different. You don't vote on them. People go in the house and they are not manipulated like they are on those shows. Whatever they do in the house is what goes out on TV. They are responsible for their own behaviour and have to resolve their own arguments, alliances and friendships. I think it's still a fascinating show."

Big Brother will air in September on Channel 5. Celebrity Big Brother airs in August.


"BB11 one of the best series" ha! whatever

[Stu]

The consensus was that series 11 on Channel 4 was one of the best ever. Does that add extra expectations for you?
Katy: "I think last year was a real high and the cast were brilliant

hahahahahahahahahahahah etc

[CharlieO]

Promising series I think.
All BB execs look for are ratings. It only did mildly well ratings wise because it was the end.

[Beastie]

Good imterview. Ahhhhhh can't wait!

[bbfan1991]

Good interview, although it's the usual PR stuff they say. I hope the format is more fresh now and they actually listen to peoples opinions!