Skip to main content

All Stars in 2021? - Wish List & Discussion

the Theorist

Over-thinker. Over-analyser. Over-complainer.
Awesome site donor
A bit of a long one so bear with me…

With a format not dissimilar to the current season (an eviction per night) and aired as a short 12-episode run over 4 weeks, a Big Brother: All Stars could be a very interesting route for Seven to consider. To be honest, I’ll be surprised if they aren’t already considering it.

Packaged as a companion to a regular season, it’s fairly self-contained, likely cost-effective and could even be launched in summer as either a competitor to Ten’s I’m A Celeb! or to help sway viewers if the AusOpen doesn’t go ahead for Nine next year.

I imagine it'll be a very clever way for Seven to attract numbers too – the typical Australian viewer will tune in to see their “old favourites” back onscreen and the season could be marketed as the old HMs trying out/surviving this new version of BB’s house. What also works in their favour is, unlike the old format, no HM has any unfair advantages based on their original times in the house, as viewers are not voting (at least not until finale, but by then the HMs will have had breathing space to come into their own) and it really pits HM against HM to see who will come out on top. Not to mention, the whole “all stars” thing seems to be a big trend on TV at the moment, so why not?!

Seven will already have one season under their belt, people are growing accustomed to the game now and will likely feel more comfortable about it with each additional season.

If it didn’t already feel right, the fact that April 2021 coincides with the official 20-year anniversary of Big Brother Australia is an opportunity almost too perfect to pass up!

So, here are my picks for an All Stars version, and why…

My shortlist:
  • Peter Timbs (BB01)
  • Johnnie Cass (BB01)
  • Nathan Morris (BB02)
  • Regina "Reggie" Bird (BB03)
  • Paul Dyer (BB04)
  • Ryan "Fitzy" Fitzgerald (BB04)
  • Vesna Tosevska (BB05)
  • David Graham (BB06)
  • Anna Lind-Hansen (BB06)
  • Aleisha Cowcher (BB07)
  • Tahan Lew-Fatt (BB10)
  • Tim Dormer (BB10)
  • Skye Weatley (BB11)
  • Soobong Hwang (BB12)

Rationale:
Fourteen familiar HMs competing across eleven main episodes, leaving three to battle it out at the end. I've aimed to pick “somebody for everybody” so hopefully most of my choices speak for themselves – an overall combination of some of the most recognisable faces, those still in the spotlight and relatively associated with the Big Brother brand, and a balance between HMs who showed potential for strategy and those for entertainment. By adding a couple HMs from the same season also provides a stimulant for initial alliances within the house. I also think the dynamics between these fourteen would be very interesting to observe.

Paul is probably my number one choice to contend; he is possibly the most strategic game player the old format ever had, whilst reasonably level-headed, intellectual and a much-needed balance in the house between left and right wing views. I am of the belief that any All Stars season, especially this format, would be a serious mistake without his involvement.

Reggie, Vesna and Skye are light-hearted value and genuinely funny by nature. Whilst we need that comedic relief, I’d say all three still have the smarts and potential to be cutthroat, which is what the game also requires.

Anna is currently getting a fair bit of media attention and recently did an interview where she showed a side to her personality we didn’t see during her time on the show. She also coined the “game on, molls” quote, now synonymous with Australian reality TV show culture, so there's no way they wouldn’t capitalise on this if she returned. Marketing would have a field day!

I also see Johnnie as a wonderful addition – athletic with potential to be tactical, as well as harking back to a golden era of the show. After all, he was portrayed as the OG “reality TV villain” in Australia. (Plus, have you seen him now? Enough said.)

Tim would be a clear threat from the get-go having competed in BBCAN, and Soobong would be another no-brainer. Soobong seemed to be well-received by viewers, can definitely take on the challenges and if I’m not mistaken holds the title for the shortest length of time spent in a BBAU house. So it’d be interesting to see how they'd spin his return and “second chance”.

Overall, I’ve tried to be as fair and well-rounded with the HMs I selected. I also realise there’s a slight gender imbalance in my shortlist, but admittedly I struggled to think of a seventh female who’d be both willing and considered an “all star” that would actually do it – so I'll throw it you... any ideas?? (Keep reading for why I didn’t choose some other obvious names.)

Other potential contenders:
It took me some time to decide whom I wanted to place in my mix of “all stars”. I tried to be both impartial and (importantly) realistic about my choices. There are naturally other HMs who came to mind, but for one reason or another I chose not to include. Merlin Luck, Tim Brunero, Greg Mathews, Michael McCoy, Camilla Severi and even Billy Bentley could all be interesting players on the show – all have also had ongoing media presences or are still well-known enough to be selected. I couldn’t see Bree Amer agreeing, primarily because she now works at Seven and has a young family, while another obvious choice is of-course Sara-Marie Fedele. Whilst arguably the most popular HM in BBAU, once upon a time I think Sara-Marie absolutely would've done it. But in recent years she seems to have deliberately been a little more private and, given the new format, I just don’t feel she’d jump at it.

Priya Malik would be perfect for this new format but I believe she now lives overseas? And I think Josh Moore is another very likely contender – not only is he a recent HM but I can imagine the show (read: Sonia) really ramping up a “redemption” arc for him given his initial time in the house was cut short.

Additionally, while I believe he’d be a great player, I purposely avoided adding Benjamin Norris to the list. Why? Not the reason you might think! His knowledge, insight and understanding of both the game and history of BBAU and HMs sets him up to make a fantastic commentator or co-presenter in some capacity during an All Stars season (don’t @ me for this). Love him or hate him, I honestly think this is where he’d be better suited and it’d give Sonia a chance to lighten the load. Maybe Eye Spy, perhaps?

Also… a crazy idea, but why not flip the switch and let Mike Goldman into the house to play too… he he he

Verdict:
Anyway... thoughts? Who would you like to see in a BBAU: All Stars house? Would the HMs play for charity or their own gain? How do you think the format and production might play out? Discuss!
 
Last edited:
  • Tahan Lew-Fatt (BB10)
  • Tim Dormer (BB10)
  • Skye Weatley (BB11)

eDMdSzM.gif
 
My shortlist:
  • Peter Timbs (BB01)
  • Johnnie Cass (BB01)
  • Nathan Morris (BB02)
  • Regina "Reggie" Bird (BB03)
  • Paul Dyer (BB04)
  • Ryan "Fitzy" Fitzgerald (BB04)
  • Vesna Tosevska (BB05)
  • David Graham (BB06)
  • Anna Lind-Hansen (BB06)
  • Aleisha Cowcher (BB07)
  • Tahan Lew-Fatt (BB10)
  • Tim Dormer (BB10)
  • Skye Weatley (BB11)
  • Soobong Hwang (BB12)
Great idea, love it so much. Great selection of housemates as well.

I reckon the addition of Brigitte from BB08, Glenn or Hotdogs from BB05, Estelle from BB09 or Travis from BB07 would be awesome as well.

I also think Josh would jump at the chance to get in, that would be pretty cool.

I would remove Tim from BB10, he already had his second shot on BBCanada.
 
Last edited:
BB03 has always been my fave, so I'd love to see almost any of those HMs back, but particularly pairing Dan and Chrissie back up again, and Jo and Patrick (awkward!). And Vesna and Hotdogs from BB05.
 
Ben - Big Brother 03

Belinda - Big Brother 03

Paul Dyer - Big Brother 04

Merlin - Big Brother 04

Dean - Big Brother 05

Vesna- Big Brother 05

Emma - Big Brother 07

Rebecca - Big Brother 07

Bianca - Big Brother 08

Nobbi - Big Brother 08

Ben - Big Brother 2012

Estelle - Big Brother 2012

Tim Dormer - Big Brother 2013

Tully - Big Brother 2013

David - Big Brother 2014

Priya - Big Brother 2014


Reason - Conflict.
 
I don’t want any winners coming back.


Blair - 01 - has a far more interesting career outside the show.

Nathan - 02 - Only one you can really call an “all star” from that season

Kyle Sandilands - CBB - literally everyone forgets this season

Chrissie - 03 - duh

Bree - 04 - she’s now a reality tv casting producer, knows how to deliver content and most recognisable from that season other than fitzy

Vesna - 05 - duh

Camilla - 06 - queen coming back for her rightful crown

Zach - 07 - queen coming back for his rightful crown

Pamela Anderson (or brigette ig) - 08 - who the fuck else from that season

Michael - 12 - this time emphasise the villain edit

Tahan - 13 - good value

Skye, Priya & Penny - 14 - the three housemates that carried 2014 on their shoulders

Angela - 20 - the housemate carrying 2020 on her shoulders
 
Ben - Big Brother 03

Belinda - Big Brother 03

Paul Dyer - Big Brother 04

Merlin - Big Brother 04

Dean - Big Brother 05

Vesna- Big Brother 05

Emma - Big Brother 07

Rebecca - Big Brother 07

Bianca - Big Brother 08

Nobbi - Big Brother 08

Ben - Big Brother 2012

Estelle - Big Brother 2012

Tim Dormer - Big Brother 2013

Tully - Big Brother 2013

David - Big Brother 2014

Priya - Big Brother 2014


Reason - Conflict.
YES BIANCA. More fights over washing hahah
 
Blair - 01 - has a far more interesting career outside the show.
He'd have made my cut but his recent interview on Sunrise made me think he has a lot of contempt for the show, especially the reboot.
Kyle Sandilands - CBB - literally everyone forgets this season
I literally wanted to mention a Kyle cameo! The amount of times that man has appeared on BB over the years... 😂
 
  • Peter Timbs (BB01) 48
  • Johnnie Cass (BB01) 49
  • Nathan Morris (BB02) 44 this Friday
  • Regina "Reggie" Bird (BB03) 46
  • Paul Dyer (BB04) 47
  • Ryan "Fitzy" Fitzgerald (BB04) 43
  • Vesna Tosevska (BB05) 43
  • David Graham (BB06) 40
  • Anna Lind-Hansen (BB06) 34
  • Aleisha Cowcher (BB07) 33
  • Tahan Lew-Fatt (BB10) 31
  • Tim Dormer (BB10) 35
  • Skye Weatley (BB11) 26
  • Soobong Hwang (BB12) 48

Given their current ages (added above) the average HM would be 40 - well, 41 next year. I'm not sure this would appeal to the demograph Seven is targeting. I know a lot of hardcore fans like us would be very interested but I just don't think it would work, especially in the new format.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kxk
Given their current ages (added above) the average HM would be 40 - well, 41 next year. I'm not sure this would appeal to the demograph Seven is targeting. I know a lot of hardcore fans like us would be very interested but I just don't think it would work, especially in the new format.
Kinda not the point of an All Stars series though...
 
I might be preaching to the wrong audience here and apologies if I am, however whilst All Stars would be great in theory, does it really fit in with Seven's strategic direction right now? Placing a bunch of housemates from older seasons into the new format (especially from early Ten days) - most of whom have fallen out of the cultural zeitgeist - doesn't logically make sense against a strategy that is relying on pulling a younger demographic to the channel. Average age of potential housemates aside, the modern viewer is both a) going to have to reacquaint themselves with some personalities they've likely forgotten or b) care enough for people they don't actually know who are getting less air time to introduce themselves in a significantly reduced format of a version that has already proven itself to be too fast-paced. It's in the name; whilst All Stars might be incredible fan service, many former housemates are not 'Stars' at all, at least not in the recent memory of many viewers.

Seven would be much smarter to expand the format of the current version in 2021, improving on the elements that aren't working this year and truly celebrating the 20th anniversary. Perhaps welcoming back housemates from this season and those from the nine era that maintain some relevance today could be an option. Then, once next year and one or two more proceeding years are under the belt (if we're lucky), an All Stars based on the new era sounds viable.
 
I might be preaching to the wrong audience here and apologies if I am, however whilst All Stars would be great in theory, does it really fit in with Seven's strategic direction right now? Placing a bunch of housemates from older seasons into the new format (especially from early Ten days) - most of whom have fallen out of the cultural zeitgeist - doesn't logically make sense against a strategy that is relying on pulling a younger demographic to the channel. Average age of potential housemates aside, the modern viewer is both a) going to have to reacquaint themselves with some personalities they've likely forgotten or b) care enough for people they don't actually know who are getting less air time to introduce themselves in a significantly reduced format of a version that has already proven itself to be too fast-paced. It's in the name; whilst All Stars might be incredible fan service, many former housemates are not 'Stars' at all, at least not in the recent memory of many viewers.

Seven would be much smarter to expand the format of the current version in 2021, improving on the elements that aren't working this year and truly celebrating the 20th anniversary. Perhaps welcoming back housemates from this season and those from the nine era that maintain some relevance today could be an option. Then, once next year and one or two more proceeding years are under the belt (if we're lucky), an All Stars based on the new era sounds viable.
I agree.
I think the best we can hope for is a celebrity or champions version that might have one or two past housemates. (Maybe Fitzy, Tim Dormer and probably one from this season)
 
2001 - Sarah Marie
2003 - Chrissie, Joanna or carlo
2004 - Bree, Aphrodite, Fitzy, Ashalea or Paul
2005 - Chrissie, Tim or Vesna
2006 - Camilla or Katie
2008 - Bridgette, Travis or Rima
2012 - Stacey or Estelle
2013 - Mikkayla or Tahan (thought she was a bitch but entertaining)
2014 - Priya, Skye or David..
2020 - Angela or Kieran (don't like him but I think he adds good value)
 
Last edited:
I like the idea of a 20 year celebration with a bunch of previous HMs.

I don't buy into the idea that they'll be too old. They'll all have a similar disadvantage.

Is nostalgia no longer a 'thing' ?
 
Great idea, love it so much. Great selection of housemates as well.

I reckon the addition of Brigitte from BB08, Glenn or Hotdogs from BB05, Estelle from BB09 or Travis from BB07 would be awesome as well.

I also think Josh would jump at the chance to get in, that would be pretty cool.

I would remove Tim from BB10, he already had his second shot on BBCanada.

Yep totally agree @ Brigitte and Estelle. Apart from that, the list is great.
 
Back
Top