[Stu]

It's not a replacement for classic Channel 4 era, but it's been a pleasant breath of fresh air and trounces the Channel 5 series.

Any problems I have with it are things that could easily be ironed out if they wanted to. Fewer, more multi layered tasks that are allowed to breathe over a few days. 24/7 live feed. More intensive, in-depth eviction interviews.

Hopefully they're satisfied with these ratings and take them as encouragement to keep to the same relatively basic format and casting principals. Yes it's been edited, no it's not Big Brother 2000 but I actually think the modernisation/social conscious aspect of it has been a complete success.

People will bemoan some of that, whilst others will chortle that it's Big Brother at the end of the day, but they have willingly included discussions on politics and identity. At length. In multiple epidodes. Which - unless you're weirdly threatened by them things - can only be a good thing. In that respect the show's actually become a mirror to society again (even including the reactions of those who don't like that sort of content.)

It also seems really bereft of aged, trashy reality show cliches and tropes. I can't imagine if you were commissioned to write a hand wringing article on how awful Big Brother is you could really do much on it this year.

Thumbs up.