holy yap ahead
Might also add in - I am also pretty "desansitised" when it comes to twists at this point, after BBUK doing them like basically every week, and them just throwing things into the wall and see if it's stick (it's not - and makes the viewing worse) which is why I am also not fussed when I see Head Housemate twist in BBAU. (However, it may seemed to me that it is designed to keep Holly - hence going back to producers' manipulation point again)
In terms of the UK and my thoughts on some twists:
- BBUK 2024 has the Head of House twist as the main twist, but the selection process is not standardised. (either a contest with a house vote at the end, or just wheel RNG which is totally not rigged for Marcello - producer's favourite at the time) The choice of "Save and Replace" and "Killer Nomination" is also interesting, but still too powerful compared to AU's version where there is only an optional save, with the 4th highest on the chopping block if they power is used.
- BBUK 2025 has the eye currency twist as the main twist, which is like BBUK 2018, but way worse. In 2018, you bid on stuff and limits everyone to what Big Brother would actually wnat to give to you which is more harsher and I like it more. In 2025, you have a whole mart for luxuries and a secret bidding process for the advantages, which is not good in itself as then it affects the entire week, e.g. the shopping tasks where people would just not care about them anymore as they can buy things anymore from the mart.
The UK version did one thing right which is a bit of transparency when it comes to informing viewers about the things (e.g. double evictions, backdoor evictions - things that AU lacks) but still lacks on understanding with what Big Brother truly is:
- 80% of the cast are either scouted or influencers (Jenny, Elsa, Zelah, Emily Hewertson - as examples) NOT normal people
- Eviction's experience literally varies still person-to-person, either backdoor or not. They always should walk in and out of that front door, every eviction.
- The lack of a proper livestream - 3-5 hour livestream with birdsong/stock footage is not good at all and doesn't keep the viewers engaged.
- The shopping tasks that only lasted for a day, meanwhile in the past, it used to last at a bare minimum of 2 days.
- Constant tasks that obstructs us from getting to know the HMs. - UK 2023 is the worst culprit for this one.
- Outside world connection - via either BB Mart in the recent series or letters from home in every series.
- Live eviction formatting sometimes being all over the place - see the first double eviction of BBUK 2025, where they had the interview in (now dead) Late and Live instead of the main show.
- Editing being too santised and too Love Island-y - music montage in the beginning of each segment and unnecessary music in moments such as nominations or letters from home
- Producers' favouritism and manipulation, including the edits - see Ali from BBUK 2024 or Emily Hewertson/Cameron K from BBUK 2025
The AU version (currently) still solved some of the issues which made it a bit better than the UK version, but lacks a lot compared to the OG Channel 10 days:
- Cast only has 2-3 known influencers/wannabes - Colin, Holly, Vinnie, but still relatively similar to the UK when it comes to archetypes that they cast.
- Currently, eviction is still "fair" for everyone when it comes to the experience. However, I don't know if this would be kept up as the show goes on.
- 24/7 (and accessible) livestream - although there are cuts that shouldn't have been done - i.e. Jane argument with the boys, Jane/Bruce in BB Eatz, Michael's goodbye message
- Shopping tasks lasting for two days. (well - actual length could only be a day, but it is still slightly better)
- Tasks and things that really get to know the HMs and showcasing who they are - secret tasks are something I like more than a simple task. Bringing back the family dinner is a good choice to get to know everyone more.
- There's plenty of outside world connection already - from the rides in Dreamworld, that phone call for Coco, and that one-way glass window in the garden - which I don't really like, especially with Colin as it validates him in the house when people yell out his name in that ride near to the house.
- Live eviction is a MESS and not a proper live show like the OG days. I agree with everyone on the format - should have been 30 minutes DS and possibly 60 minutes eviction. Same goes with the nominations show.
- Ediitng being too selective and focused WAY TOO MUCH on the showmances - Holly/Colin, Bruce/Coco. And also still feel too "Love-Islandy" or "MAFS-like".
- There is already plenty of producers' favouritism and manipulation - especially with Colin's perception when compared to the livestream and the DS (which all casuals watch), how the producers treat Holly and Colin - i.e. that time when Emily wants to brush her teeth and got told off, while Colin got off scotch-free, as well as, as mentioned above, selective editing to make the show feel like just another reality show with conflicts and not what it's used to be - the show that is truly your family.
All and all, AU version is better
to some extent. but will be worse than the UK, if the manipulation and favouritism continues especially as an international BB fan myself. Casual viewers might enjoy what BBAU is right now, but long term wise, it is not going to survive if they still do it like this. Going back to the UK again, Jordan/Henry was the key story point for that 2023 UK series, and they capitalise way too much on that. If the AU version has that mentality same as that, viewers will turn off when the next series comes as their favs are not going to be there.
Emily to win.
