Last night saw Rachel Rice voted as the winner of the latest series of Channel 4's Big Brother reality show in the UK. Narrowly beating the favourite at the bookies, Michael 'Mikey' Hughes, into second place, it is fitting that possibly the plainest personality - and that is up against stiff competition from her boring band of housemates - should bag the £100K prize cheque.
Big Brother Audiences Come Back For More
Certainly, the producers of the show - Endemol - could be relatively pleased with the headline audience figures which were only marginally down on the 2007 series, won by Brian Belo (5.3m for BB9 finale versus 5.6m for BB8 as reported by the BBC and Reuters). The official numbers include statistics for the repeat show on Channel 4's catch-up channel, Channel 4+1, so there is room for doubt on the enduring appeal of the show. Given it is one of Channel 4's most popular shows in audience terms, the format cannot be said to be dead but 3rd party coverage - BB gossip is usually eagerly published by print and other media - has been noticeably lacking. Dwindling were the regular unofficial reviews of the House antics by radio breakfast show DJs and gossip columnists.
The Banal Bunch Of BB9 Bimbos
The choice of Housemates could be mainly to blame. A largely self-absorbed group of shallow wannabes, few of the personalities really stood out. Chef Rex Newmark weakly provoked negative reaction as the House's control freak and bully; desperately failing to emulate the appeal of 'Nasty' Nick Bateman from the first Big Brother back in 2000. Apart from some earlier evictees, his personality came closest to inspiring some interest. His 'Mr. Whippy' hairstyle and unsubtle attempts to goad and intimidate fell short in the absence of an effective counter to his shallow self-promotion. He did succeed in getting a warning from Big Brother, using Darnell Swallow as a gullible foil to descend into misogynistic abuse of housemate Sara Folino. Otherwise, even the dwindling embers of seemingly genuine friendships failed to ignite convincing relationships. The remaining group of the final 2 weeks largely fell into communal back-slapping with only rare minor moans in the apparent safety of the Diary Room, occasionally punctuated by Rex's imperious goading or whingeing.
Enduring Entertainment Despite Cheerless Contestants
Apt, then, that the Disney Princess who is the inoffensive Rachel should win BB9. In view of the audience size, it cannot be said that the show should quietly retire. It could do with some new content ideas and should certainly revamp its contestant selection process. Sacking whichever trick cyclist they used for advice at the BB9 auditions, Endemol and Channel 4 should take more time over its selection of inmates for BB 10 if they wish to continue to attract audiences and the all-important media following. Even host Davina McCall appeared to struggle to generate enthusiasm for some of the Housemates and their (lack of) antics. That said, the format clearly works and continues to inspire a global franchise with copycat reality theme variations. There is, very likely, no escaping Big Brother.
Anyway....... Mikey should have won !
Simon Lewis - A technologist by trade, Simon has worked with and founded a number of internet businesses. In his off-time, his love of cinema and media ...
