This is what bothers me so much about this year's show . . .
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TV ClubHouse: ARCHIVES: Big Brother USA 2003 General Discussions Part 1: This is what bothers me so much about this year's show . . .

Bigbrotherfan

Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 10:56 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Instead of being bothered by "big brother" keeping tabs on them and watching their every move, they seem to be constantly doing things to get more "face time". I feel like I'm watching a 12 week long audition rather than the gritty competition of years past fueled by frustration of being on camera 24/7. By contrast, these hg's love it! Ali and her manipulation with the camera on her chest & . . . well, T&A, makes me sick. Does she think we're as stupid as the other hg's who she seems to enjoy manipulating, that she'll win her way into our hearts by sticking her padded bra or butt in our faces? YUCK! Don't get me wrong, they all seem to have the same attitude but she is over the top for me today. I think this will be my last year. What a waste of energy!

Cliotheleo

Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 10:59 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
So ............. you'll be changing your name?

Bigbrotherfan

Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 11:03 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
yes! I should do that right now. Actually, I like the concept. I just think they cast the parts this year rather than recruited the contestants.

Tobor7

Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 11:12 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Interesting observation BBFan.
I think you are right. For most of us, the lack of privacy would be a huge issue. These people DO SEEK out the cameras, play to the cameras. Go for face time. I don't know what the solution is. I wonder... if the show was ONLY an internet show... no network airdates... no executives... if they let us all vote on everything that happens if it would be any better?
Bottom line- it is the only show that has the guts to allow mostly 24/7 viewing. What if Survivor did that? Would the show be any better? Or would we just be bored to tears watching them starve day-to-day.
Maybe in a year or 2 HBO will do something A LOT better-- since almost everything they do is better than network fare anyway.

Happycamper

Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 11:30 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Last year we complained they were all "wanna be's"... I think this year they are the same but have been warned about that. ???? Robert has been the most vocal about "what will be" The rest have been pretty quiet.

Erika has acted....Robert with all his connections...probably has too... I am sure the rest have as well...but just don't talk about it. ????????

Lancecrossfire

Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 11:45 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I've always thought it was a fine line for the show's producers. They have ot entertain us on TV--if they don't, the show gets canceled, and there isn't anything for anyone to see.

So, how do you pick people to be in a house where there are cameras and mics all over and on all the time? How do you pick people so that there will be enteratinment?

You can't pick people that want to hide. That was one of the knocks about Jamie last year--many said she wouldn't do anything for fear of what might happen later on. She wouldn't show her self, or even a "game self". So, you have to pick people that want to put themselves out there--but not too obvious. One of those darned fine lines again.

So, how to make it enteratianing for all of America. Just with the couple thousand people we have on this site, we've had ever opinion from it's the greatest show so far to it completely sucks--and everything in between. Just think how fickle a few million people are going ot be!

So, you have ot get people who have different traits--all nice and it's boring. All mean, rotten people and it's only chaos--and that isn't entertaining for much of the cross section of America.

So, you get some who you hope will be straight forward, some who will back stab, and hopefully no one who will go bonkers on you in the process.

But only 5,000 apply, instaed of the over 50,000 they get for every Survivor.

Lots of fine lines to walk in setting up the show/game. Because to make it a good show, it still have to be a game.

The big money is from Tv advertising. But the live feeds make it appealing to an audience that is not TV based. The issue of what Survivor would be like if there were the same 24 hour feeds. That is a heck of a question. My guess is that MB wouldn't ever do it. First, it's tougher in all that expanse. Next, he gives up a lot of control. He completely controls what we see--40 minutes out of 3 days. And there is the issue of quality. Look how we respond to too much FOTH. But in reality, they have to have it. Would MB do something half way? I think not.

Personally, I'm betting if I took AS's job over, I'd fail quickly for not being savy about "the business". I know what I like, but I don't know what millions like.

Bigbrotherfan

Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 11:53 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Why does it matter if 500 applied, much less 5000 if they don't even use those applications to cast the show? How many of the contestants (original, not exes) said they were recruited through their agent? Funny, though, thinking about it, the "real" people on the show have been the least liked and the first booted. Ahhh, I'm ready for them to bring back Dana! LOL

Lancecrossfire

Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 12:05 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Well, it's possible that out of 5,000, they don't get the mix they are looking for. No one said that none of the people applying have never neen used.

I have a feeling if only 5,000 people applied ofr Survivor, and they used only those 5,000 to choose from, it wouldn't be the same quality.

R151996

Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 12:46 am EditMoveDeleteIP
The main problem with BB in the US is that producers focus too much on their preconceived "mix". The applicants should be narrowed down to the best 40-50, and then the best group of 12 selected. When only six of 5,000 applicants make the show, IMO something is wrong with the producer's concept and not with those who applied.

I'm not aware that recruiting is done at all for Big Brother shows in other countries. It does help when there is a larger applicant pool. Over 100,000 applied for this year's UK BB.

Scrambling to recruit contestants right up to the time when those who properly applied are in the final elimination process is not the right way to put together the best group for a series of this type.

Nexell2

Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 01:01 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Bigbrotherfan,you are quite correct in saying the show is cast, it is.

Wendo

Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 01:17 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Bigbrotherfan, sorry to hear you're not enjoying the show. Each year is going to be different for sure. I'm liking this year. It won't rank as an all time favorite, but I just enjoy watching the feeds and commenting here.

Perhaps as we get closer to the end it will improve for you.

Jhezzie

Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 01:49 am EditMoveDeleteIP
My problem is that I don't give a F.R.A. about any of them. Jack is o.k, but I don't identify with him at all. I don't care who wins. I used to think I would be happy with anyone winning as long as it isn't Alison, but I don't even care about that anymore. I think I am watching out of habit or hope. Hope that it will get "good," you know? Maybe I will still back Jun, but she's not making me laugh anymore. Ever since they told her about the diary room, she's not saying what she really wants to. Oh well...

Spectacle

Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 03:31 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I think you are right about julie's comments doing damage not good, the cast doesn't need to have their game revealed by julie....more damage than good... since this is my first year watching, is this a "quiet before the storm" rime or does it get wilder at the end... it would seem to me that it is a slow chess game, lots of contemplation at this time, so close to half a million they WANT to taste it

Boberg

Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 04:11 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Spectacle, in my experience, I'v been watching all 4 years, found TVClubhouse middle of first year, It stays about how it is now up until about the last week when it gets reallllllly slow and boring because then there just isnt enough HG left to keep it interesting. This year has seemed more dull to me because the sides were chosen early and so, depending on who wins HOH each week, we the viewer can pretty much guess who will be nominated and whether the veto will be used. IMHO the very best year ever was BB2..between Dr. Will and Nicole you never knew what was gonna happen and Will kept us in stitches. No matter how boring tho Spectacle, you watch, there will be us addicts on this site for months trying to find any little bit of info we can about the houseguest and discussing this years game till we finally ease the pain of withdrawal and can move on to looking forward to the next year, BB5.

Duncan

Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 05:38 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Personally, I don't care if they cast the show or not, but if they are going to do that, then why take the applications in the first place? I have often wondered what the show would be like if they were to cast it from member of this board. :) Can you imagine a dozen of us all together for 3 or 4 months? LOL

Anyway, IF AS & AG were to do something different, the one thing I would really like to see is them giving the hamsters something to do! Seems all they do is sit around and preen all day, maybe lift weights or play basketball. I would like to see more weekelong challenges of some sort.....anything to make them work together, and at the same time against each other.

Needmylifeback

Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 07:19 am EditMoveDeleteIP
"Can you imagine a dozen of us all together for 3 or 4 months? LOL "

Yea..Duncan....we'd be going around saying things like....

"She exits the water closet and immediately washes her hands...if anyone cares to notice..."

"I know what some do not ....that all cameras are internet cameras..."

" This is a FOTH moment if I ever saw one..."

" TVCH LFP's need to wake up...this is going to get good!"

"Whispering will get you nowhere...except some potentially rude comments from LFP's...and it's all sub-titled anyway!"

Marymary

Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 07:37 am EditMoveDeleteIP
The slanted editing...yep, that's what's bothering me about this years show. I think may next year I'll...I don't know...Maybe read a book! I'm pretty sure I won't be watching BB. (Can't quit this year, I'm hooked!)

Cinder

Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 07:46 am EditMoveDeleteIP
NMLB- it would be better to say- "we need to go to bed now so the LFP won't feel guilty for going to bed and we can wake early in the morning and do fun stuff so more people can watch us. We will be famous for sure if we do that."

Penpoint

Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 09:04 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Duncan said: Personally, I don't care if they cast the show or not, but if they are going to do that, then why take the applications in the first place?

Think of it as a college or university assembling their student body. Many come from those who applied on their own. Then there are those who applied at the urging of an alum or donor. And because of college athletics, there are those who are recruited because of their special characteristics.

Whether it's college admissions or BB's casting office, it can be a crap shoot. Some of those chosen will prove to be just what was wanted--for high scholastic achievement, a winning team, or compelling BB story lines. Others will turn out not to have what admissions or casting hoped they'd have--and there will be failures or dropouts or a lack of BB chemistry.

Bb234finalist

Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 10:16 am EditMoveDeleteIP
BB does call and interview applicants who applied through the mail with applications and videotapes, I assure you. The problem is, out of the say 5000 they get 400 are considered for semi-final interviews. Of those 400 many won't pass the criminal, or psych. tests, some just aren't good "characters" and some break the contract within the first few minutes/weeks. With this show the casting department has to be VERY careful who they cast because they have to be controllable, unique, dramatic, interesting, and animated. This can't be easy to find in all applicants. I believe they have no choice but to go outside the applications mailed in. I've said this time and time again but it isn't easy to find the perfect "hampster" who is so hell bent on being on tv that they will sign their lives, thoughts, dignity, and soul over for a year past the end of the show. Takes a real "attention seekers" to agree to all of that, wouldn't you say? All of the above is my opinion of course, but I can say for fact many applicants who mailed in videos are and were considered...myself included, repeatedly. I think casting Lisa from the previous BB out of her bar was a great idea, she obviously was a people person, easy to talk to since talking and entertaining is part of the job, and she was popular..as bartenders have to be, and she was well liked, as they have to be as well. I think anything is fair game for casting...EXCEPT signing someone with an agent. That is not fair or REALITY in my opinion.

Darkmutton

Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 10:46 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Simon Says...

I was reading US Weekly (8/25 issue with J Lo on the cover) and saw in the "Loose Talk" feature a quote from Simon Cowell of American Idol. He said: "Big Brother is not reality anymore. You don't get 10 normal people to do it. You get 10 crap actors in the house."

That about sums it up for me.

Jarryjayo

Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 10:58 am EditMoveDeleteIP
anyone know what the ratings are like this year ?

Can't find them.

Crossfire

Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 11:00 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Jarryjayo: Ratings thread

Jagger

Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 11:01 am EditMoveDeleteIP
The problem with this years BB is that he has been just to predictable, as soon as each HoH is over you pretty much know who will be nominated and who will go. No suspense left in the show. There also are not any hgs that you really like or dislike and you just can't wait until that person gets the boot or wins HoH. Or at least in my case that is how it is.

Cricket

Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 12:18 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Quote from Simon Cowell:
"Big Brother is not reality anymore. You don't get 10 normal people to do it. You get 10 crap actors in the house."

Thanks for the great quote find Darkmutton. Simon forgot to mention this year you get crap actors and their even crappier exes.

Maris

Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 04:08 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
The problem I have with this years show is that the houseguests are dull. They are incapable of having any interesting conversation. Even Jack manages to make his little FBI escapades sound boring as all get out. How on earth after all those applications Big Brother managed to come up with such a collection of dullards I have no idea. This show tumbled to the cellar when Dana left and that is only because I enjoyed watching the train wreck that was Dana. She played the game stupidly but she kept it exciting. Every time I put on the live feeds, I am either watching sunbathing, card playing, napping or people giving each other personal grooming like a bunch of gorillas.

Realbiz

Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 04:14 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
maris, maybe only the boring ones were applying... the interesting ones went to survivor.. i'm ready for S7.

Dilligaf

Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 04:22 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
One of these days, I'm going to get brave enough to upload my audition tape for BB2. It was a scream!! And I would NOT have been boring!! What always floors me about the hamsters is how little they know of the in's and out's of the actual show. I just think back to Jamie talking to the 'internet camera'. Well DUH! They were ALL internet cameras. <sigh>

Onlyhuman

Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 04:36 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
What bothers me about this year's show is that it has lost all connection to the Big Brother concept.

In the first year, every move the hamsters made was critical, because they were being judged by the people who were watching them 24 hours a day.

In the second and third year, though the viewers no longer had the power, the evicted HGs could tune in and see what was happening 24/7 and draw their own conclusions on how to vote. So the hamsters' actions were still be observed and determined their fate.

This year, with the jury sequestered, being watched 24/7 has NO signifigance. It doesn't matter what they say or do, as long as they survive. In fact, it would probably be a better show if we could actually believe the misleading editing we see on TV. These people are not ultimately going to be held responsible for all of their behaviors.

What's more, BB seems to be making life easier and easier for these people. Why bother calling this Big Brother? It's just people in a house lying and scheming. The game for me is not any fun.

On the other hand, this board, the discussions we have and the sheer joy of watching these particular hamsters suffer cannot be replaced.

Penpoint

Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 04:50 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Onlyhuman, have you seen "The Family"? It's on ABC tonight following BB. It employs the concept you are talking about. And ironically it is produced by Shapiro and his group.

Onlyhuman

Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 04:54 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Penpoint, I really like The Family and find it highly entertaining. I like that show more because the people ARE held responsible for their behavior by the "Secret Board of Trustees".

I had forgotten there was a new episode tonight. I can't wait to see it, because I think this is the one where George Hamilton gets run over by the golf cart!

Penpoint

Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 10:12 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
The Family does have more of a Big Brother aspect to its structure than Big Brother itself does. Big Brother should in some way be controlling the destiny of the HGs rather than the HGs controlling each other's destiny.