The Big Brother Performance Review

[Brekkie]

Well one week in and we've all shared our views and I think the signs are there producers have even listened and taken some of the early criticisms board.

Bringing it together into one thread I think there is much to improve upon but quite a bit to praise too.

I won't go into too much depth myself as think others here can do that better but main things that need improving IMO are the live shows, the intros, the pace of the edit of the daily shows and ensuring transparency and fair play.

Do have to praise them though for two things in particular - the live 24/7 stream which should never be considered optional but we're lucky to have it and it is what BB is all about. The daily shows should be dropped before the live feed is.

And of course Mel who has already proven herself to be a breakout star - she's just nailing it despite the restraints of a budget production. Imagine how much she'd thrive in a much more polished live show under an actual roof.

More generally still not convinced the money pumped in by Dreamworld is worth the compromises on the house but it's not been the issue I feared it might. Casting they've got it pretty much spot on with the women but the men are very lacking.


So overall for week 1 I'd probably give it a solid 7 out of 10. Not perfect by any means but most the issues are things that can be fixed relatively easily
..

 

[dasnico]

4/10 for me. Simply because this reboot has returned elements of what could be considered “original” - mainly the live stream.

The editing needs major work. It watches like a soap opera. The music is completely unwarranted. Completely. The confessionals work in small doses but allowing the reality to play out coupled with Mikes narration and traditional diary room moments are all we need. We don’t need our hand held. Also the favouritism in the edits is insulting to the viewers. Why producers need to consider pushing a favourable view of certain hm’s in a live show is beyond me. I don’t see what it achieves. I also hate the “previously” segments. Waste of air time in a show already full of filler material.

Big Brother himself needs another look at. He’s promoting produced conversation and drama rather than letting housemates do what they were cast to do. He’s way too soft. Whats with the therapy sessions? Talking in first person? Not showing viewers rule breaks and the punishments (assuming they’re doing that at all). Also, shutting down the house for a day off on a live 24/7 show is just odd. I’d understand if this wasn’t live and being recorded and edited months in advance. I think Pete as BB is fine. I don’t love him or hate him at this point. He’s performing the character based on producer wants and needs.

The live shows are the Achilles heel of the reboot so far. So inconsistent. So rushed. So oddly pieced together. They seem very unplanned. Other members have posted accurate feedback on this so I’ll leave it at that.

The housemates overall are fine. I have my favourites and the ones that I want to punch in the face. I will always stand by not casting or headhunting influencers or other reality show rejects. The house overall is ass. The cameras should be returned to being completely behind mirrors. The hm attention to them this year is very distracting.

I realise a lot of this probably has to do with shows budget. Many of my aforementioned issues are just tweaks that need to be made in their avid system during editing. For the live shows the director and vision mixer need more guidance or be replaced. These are $0 fixes.

I love the live feed is back. I love its back at Dreamworld, though the house and garden placement is questionable. I love Mel and Mike. I love Allana and I love 6 nights a week.

 

[Lightning McQueen]

I gave it a 5, a bare pass, mainly due to the poor live shows (despite the delightful Mel) and the very obvious production interference.

 

[Affable]

I will give it a 5 at the moment. Not terrible, not great. Just average. Comparable to the 9 seasons but just a bit worse at the moment

 

[DOTTI]

I gave it a 5 pretty much based on the views @Lightning McQueen and @Affable have already expressed.

 

[dasnico]

Who is voting 8/10? Show yourself.

 

[Sephrenia]

I’ll give it a 7. No it’s not perfect but it’s a vast improvement and a far cry from the tripe channel 7 dished up.

 

[Abby]

I give it a 5
seems BB is directing some of what we see rather than letting it all to happen organically

 

[Rison]

Hard five. A lot of what they need to make it great is there, they're just making boneheaded decisions with the live shows, the editing and the rest days (among other things). Which drag it all right down.

 

[Melore]

It's a bit one step forward and then two steps back in successive shows - but fuck me, no Surly! No sporty boofheads dominating things. I shall have to gather my thoughts to lay out areas for improvement.

My number one problem is the forcing of Colin as this season's favourite. God love him, but I find him unbearable and having the public lap up this spoonfeeding, with his manufactured/tailored persona, encouraged by a select edit, and having the series revolve around him and his showmance etc etc is quite depressing.

 

[Afflllate]

6 for me, there’s some stuff i find slightly cringe but I’m also letting slide since they are clearly in the awkward flying by the seat kinda mode for a. The late start and b. Attempting to sell it as picking up where ten left off 17 years ago.

There’s still some room left in the season for some tweaks but they also should be taking some hard notes for the next season to make some bigger adjustments learning from this one iykwim.

 

[Character]

10/10 I'm loving it.

 

[dasnico]

10/10 I'm loving it.

Did you even watch the originals?

 

[Rubberduck]

I'll rate it 7, but it's closer to 6 than an 8.

There's a disconnect between the promos being so nostalgia driven, while the actual production still feels stuck somewhere between the Ch9 and Ch7 eras.

Mel is a great host for adding some levity and authenticity, but I do NOT like the editorialising and clear favouritism towards HMs like Colin. It's giving the treatment of Ben 2013, who I loved as a HM but I feel was being unfairly propped up during his time in the house. Surely viewers can be trusted to make up their own minds?

 

[Character]

Did you even watch the originals?

Yep was the key demographic back when it aired too. Now I am a bit older than the target audience. I wasnt into the 7 era at all. I had a few years off the show altogether until Celebrity BBUK last year. Got hooked back in. I'm here for the ride

Loving Mel and just happy to be here!

 

[timmy]

I'd have scored it a 7 if the live eviction last night wasn't so bad, so ended up on 6. I didn't expect it to be like the old days with friends/family etc, but no sofa (probably due to no shelter if it rained, admittedly), but the interview was rushed, no footage of Michael's experience or best bits, no poll result, not even a can of fucking tuna to be seen. Sure as hell didn't expect a car ofc but nothing. Really?

And the editing of it all, capping off with the director/producer apparently forgetting to prompt Mel to say It's time to go... Michael after they panned across the house sofa was just ridiculous. They've really dropped the ball on producing the live TV aspect compared to the old days. It's like they've never done it before (and perhaps that's actually the problem).

Not to mention all the issues everyone has already discussed ad nauseam throughout the week here. 6 is all I got.

 

[potentiallybray]

I've given it a 6 and, as much as I'm happy to have BB back on the screen... the budget cuts are very forefront here. This is a bit long but bare with me

- Pacing of the live shows is not good, no live crosses and generally seems like a watch party until the last moment when something needs to happen. Imo last night was the best example and reflected the need for a separate live show.

- I'm glad to see much of the editing issues have been tweaked but there's still a good way to go here. Especially when it comes to overally audio mixing.

- The music, it's gotta go during dramatic and emotional scenes as it just changes the tone to be something it isn't. BB theme underscore is needed desperately to be increased, it's been better lately but it's still stock music here and there.. Stop gate keeping the remixes!

- The title sequence at the moment needs attention, 30-40 intro is such a staple BB thing and I get that generally sequences don't happen now but they SHOULD. @marquisite made the BEST example of what they could do to fix it. Especially with the way they should handle upcoming events / previously, which used to be in the middle of the title sequence.

- Overall branding, this is BB... let it be BB. 03-04 and then the change in 05-07 are the best examples of BB that had an identity. It knew what it was, it had the graphics, music and understanding down to a tee. Everything was going so well on the branding and vibe, until THAT eye got changed just before launch. Hype was built, promises were made and then the tone changed. If I wanted to watch BBUK, I would and I do.

- The house doesn't really bug me that much, it's obviously taken inspiration from ITV but I don't hate it. I just think it doesn't fit the general aesthetic the other graphics and vibe is going for. Fits again to above, identity cohesion isn't quite there.

- DS editing is very up and down, some days are great (like Friday) and then others are really bad (like last Monday).

- Make BB mean again, that's literally all. There's no real repercussions at the moment and a lack of control of the house which has been spoken about in other threads.

Theres so much more I could say, like missing info graphics or couches for evictees to chat but I'm trying to be optimistic that they take this on board fast as they have with other feedback this far.

-----

Some positives now!

- Mel is absolutely phenomenal, I love her wit and how quick she is. As well as the way she pays attention to what is going on with BB and in the chats that she references.

- The casting is pretty good but does need a bit more diversity, there's a big chunk of the house that are blokey blokes.

- The changes made in the past week are encouraging but there's still more room to improve. I'm glad they are watching though.

- Live Feeds, genuinely one of the best parts of the show and I'm so grateful to everyone in the forum's who is providing a running update.

I'm hopeful for 2026 and think that if they address much of the above and many other things raised by various users that it will go on to be bigger and better next year. (if they get it right)

 

[Melore]

Make BB mean again, that's literally all. There's no real repercussions at the moment and a lack of control of the house which has been spoken about in other threads.

Yes. He should at the very least be authoritative. Starting off coddling Colin in that schmaltzy voice was the beginning of the end. It's like he's practicing gentle parenting. They just spoke over him last night. Zero respect, ie. That's not how it should be.

 

[bradnak]

I gave it a 6. There are elements here I like, but changes do need to be made, especially if you are going to stick with the OG branding. So sorry, this is going to be an essay, and might rehash stuff that others have already mentioned. I just want to add my weight to everything I can think of.

I'll start with the house itself. It seems very bright and very Kindergarten, very unlike any BB house we have seen in Australia. It's very obviously BBUK-coded, and I see that as a negative to the OG branding. That Diary Room does not look soundproof at all. I think I heard some HMs say they tried to put their ears up to the door. Also, why in God's earth would you build the house in the middle of Dreamworld right next to a working ride? The HMs are supposed to have no contact with the outside world, but apparently, they can interact with riders of the Tail Spin? That's a nope from me. In saying all that, I think they have done well to fit the house into the Exhibition Centre. I wish it had more ceilings, but you hardly see that on screen. Having cameras inside the house is a bad idea. Already, we can see how the housemates are looking at the cameras and interacting with them. They are supposed to forget that the cameras are there.

Next, the housemates. I applaud them for getting a wide range of housemates. However, there are a few that I question that should have even been put into the house due to their very extreme views, i.e. Michael or Bruce. Again, these are the kinds of characters that I hear going into BBUK, and usually end up getting into some sort of fight and being removed. We are lucky this hasn't been the case here so far.

Big Brother himself is acting too much like the Channel 7 Big Brother. I don't know how Big Brother acts overseas these days, but again, if you're promising the OG, this is not it. Big Brother does not respond to housemates outside the Diary Room, with very limited exceptions, if the Housemates are locked in a room, for example. I don't like that Big Brother is acting too much like a psychologist. I don't know if he's parroting an actual psychologist, but psychologist visits should be confidential. In saying that, this might be a controversial opinion, but I don't want a mean Big Brother either. I just want a fair, but authoritarian Big Brother that consistently applies the rules to all housemates. Big Brother is not their mate, but can grant reasonable requests within the rules as well. Also, Big Brother has no days off. The voices might rotate, but life in the house continues as normal. Give Pete the high-profile time-slots if you must.

The Daily Show content also needs some work. I feel like we're seeing a lot of the same housemates, perhaps because they are hogging the cameras, but the editors should find a way to include other housemates. Housemates shouldn't disappear, especially now that it's solely vote-to-save. I also don't like how the Diary Room is clearly being used as cut-ins to footage we're seeing. Big Brother even aired footage of Colin being called to the Diary Room when he was crying just so they could get that money shot, complete with backing music. NO. Housemates should be encouraged to use the Diary Room when they need to, but they shouldn't be called there.

I feel like lumping Daily Show content in live shows is not working. Having Mel just standing there, throwing to and from breaks, then hearing Mike narrate the footage, seems a bit redundant. Perhaps we need to go back to the days of separate daily and live shows? I'm not sure how that would work in the schedule, especially since they seem to be getting about an hour's worth of daily show content every night, even without live content. But even back in the day, they used to show the Daily Show on the big screen prior to Evictions starting.

In terms of the actual live content, they are way too short. The first Live Special, which was supposed to be about the entrance of the 13th housemate? It was like one segment, and then we were told to watch the Daily Show to see the rest. WTF. Nominations went well. Pre-recording nominations, though potentially controversial given the marketing, is actually smart, so they can control the flow and timing. The biggest letdown was the eviction, which was basically Mel and the evictee standing on the stage for 10 minutes. However, I was happy to hear "It's time to go" and the eviction countdown, even if he was at the doors halfway through the count. Also Mel is such a great host, but I can feel she is being let down by the system around her. Please support her and help her do her best!

The last thing I want to mention is the live stream. It is single-handedly the best thing about this whole damn show. Please do not ruin it with audio mutes and shots of the laundry or fish tank unless absolutely necessary. It's hard because I know the stream on Tiktok is getting heaps of viewers, but I want to see a stream on 10 app actually live up to its MA rating a bit more.

Sorry again for my large post, and some things some people may not agree on, but these are my thoughts.

 

[dasnico]

I gave it a 6. There are elements here I like, but changes do need to be made, especially if you are going to stick with the OG branding. So sorry, this is going to be an essay, and might rehash stuff that others have already mentioned. I just want to add my weight to everything I can think of.

I'll start with the house itself. It seems very bright and very Kindergarten, very unlike any BB house we have seen in Australia. It's very obviously BBUK-coded, and I see that as a negative to the OG branding. That Diary Room does not look soundproof at all. I think I heard some HMs say they tried to put their ears up to the door. Also, why in God's earth would you build the house in the middle of Dreamworld right next to a working ride? The HMs are supposed to have no contact with the outside world, but apparently, they can interact with riders of the Tail Spin? That's a nope from me. In saying all that, I think they have done well to fit the house into the Exhibition Centre. I wish it had more ceilings, but you hardly see that on screen. Having cameras inside the house is a bad idea. Already, we can see how the housemates are looking at the cameras and interacting with them. They are supposed to forget that the cameras are there.

Next, the housemates. I applaud them for getting a wide range of housemates. However, there are a few that I question that should have even been put into the house due to their very extreme views, i.e. Michael or Bruce. Again, these are the kinds of characters that I hear going into BBUK, and usually end up getting into some sort of fight and being removed. We are lucky this hasn't been the case here so far.

Big Brother himself is acting too much like the Channel 7 Big Brother. I don't know how Big Brother acts overseas these days, but again, if you're promising the OG, this is not it. Big Brother does not respond to housemates outside the Diary Room, with very limited exceptions, if the Housemates are locked in a room, for example. I don't like that Big Brother is acting too much like a psychologist. I don't know if he's parroting an actual psychologist, but psychologist visits should be confidential. In saying that, this might be a controversial opinion, but I don't want a mean Big Brother either. I just want a fair, but authoritarian Big Brother that consistently applies the rules to all housemates. Big Brother is not their mate, but can grant reasonable requests within the rules as well. Also, Big Brother has no days off. The voices might rotate, but life in the house continues as normal. Give Pete the high-profile time-slots if you must.

The Daily Show content also needs some work. I feel like we're seeing a lot of the same housemates, perhaps because they are hogging the cameras, but the editors should find a way to include other housemates. Housemates shouldn't disappear, especially now that it's solely vote-to-save. I also don't like how the Diary Room is clearly being used as cut-ins to footage we're seeing. Big Brother even aired footage of Colin being called to the Diary Room when he was crying just so they could get that money shot, complete with backing music. NO. Housemates should be encouraged to use the Diary Room when they need to, but they shouldn't be called there.

I feel like lumping Daily Show content in live shows is not working. Having Mel just standing there, throwing to and from breaks, then hearing Mike narrate the footage, seems a bit redundant. Perhaps we need to go back to the days of separate daily and live shows? I'm not sure how that would work in the schedule, especially since they seem to be getting about an hour's worth of daily show content every night, even without live content. But even back in the day, they used to show the Daily Show on the big screen prior to Evictions starting.

In terms of the actual live content, they are way too short. The first Live Special, which was supposed to be about the entrance of the 13th housemate? It was like one segment, and then we were told to watch the Daily Show to see the rest. WTF. Nominations went well. Pre-recording nominations, though potentially controversial given the marketing, is actually smart, so they can control the flow and timing. The biggest letdown was the eviction, which was basically Mel and the evictee standing on the stage for 10 minutes. However, I was happy to hear "It's time to go" and the eviction countdown, even if he was at the doors halfway through the count. Also Mel is such a great host, but I can feel she is being let down by the system around her. Please support her and help her do her best!

The last thing I want to mention is the live stream. It is single-handedly the best thing about this whole damn show. Please do not ruin it with audio mutes and shots of the laundry or fish tank unless absolutely necessary. It's hard because I know the stream on Tiktok is getting heaps of viewers, but I want to see a stream on 10 app actually live up to its MA rating a bit more.

Sorry again for my large post, and some things some people may not agree on, but these are my thoughts.

Well said.