Aussie Big Brother axed

Chinafoot

According to Digital Spy

The Australian version of Big Brother has been axed after eight years due to falling ratings.

The final episode of the long-running reality show will air on July 21 when the current season comes to an end.

The Aussie series has been dogged by controversy in recent years for its "racy" and "inappropriate" content. In 2006 two male contestants were removed from the house for an alleged sexual assault on a female housemate.

This year the show was relaunched with two new hosts to replace long-standing presenter Gretel Killeen, who was axed last year. Ratings have been consistently disappointing this season and only picked up briefly when Pamela Anderson was drafted in to stay in the house as a guest.

Network Ten, the show's broadcaster, paid tribute to its impact on popular culture. "Big Brother raised a number of issues which were meaningful and it highlighted some of the very real concerns of young people," said David Mott, chief programming officer at Ten. "The show has taken on topics of race, sex, homosexuality, eating disorders and alcohol abuse, many of which had been handled gingerly, if at all, on TV."

Ten plans to fill the hole in its schedule with more US imports and original commissions. Endemol Southern Star, producer of Big Brother in Australia, now plans to shop the show around rival networks.

Interesting. I wonder if it's the end of the road for the show in general. Every year the producers just seem intent on putting more and more outrgaeous and controversial people in there. I mean Alexandra is a prime example. There is no way in hell producers wouldn't have seen that volitile personality during auditions, interviews, psyche evaluations and the dry-runs. Also, didn't she have a restraining order against her?

I honestly believe that sooner or later someone will get seriously hurt in there. I love watching it every year but I can honestly say I'd be happy for it to finish after this one.

Xavi6

Well I watched Big Brother over here this year and it wasn't bad but the overall appeal of the show is no longer there. They tried desperately to get the ratings up, even putting Pamela Anderson into the house last week to try spice things up.

I really can't see any of the public here losing any sleep over the decision and hopefully it's just the first of many of the reality tv crap to go.

Chinafoot

Xavi6 wrote: »

Well I watched Big Brother over here this year and it wasn't bad but the overall appeal of the show is no longer there. They tried desperately to get the ratings up, even putting Pamela Anderson into the house last week to try spice things up.

I really can't see any of the public here losing any sleep over the decision and hopefully it's just the first of many of the reality tv crap to go.

Yeah I agree.

I was surprised that they got rid of Gretel. When I was over there about 5 years ago I watched a series...the one where Reggie won... I think this just shows that people are getting tired of it in general. It's been going on for so long now that it's just getting old.

It's played a big part in this famous for nothing shít aswell. I'll never forgive them for Jade Goody, nevar!

Xavi6

Personally I would have loved to have gone into the house and I considered auditioning for it over here. Having said that though reality tv in general drives me insane so hopefully this starts a trend of them being phased out.

UK Big Brother has most definitely run its course. Every year it seems like they try get more weirdos than the year before and it seems to have backfired on them this year from what I've read.

Stephen P

I think its bound to come to an end soon. They might go for 10 years and call its quits. They'll probably come up with something new going into the next decade.

RATM

Before the UK version does end I reckon it would be great to finish it with a champion of champions series with the runner-up and winner of all previous series' competing. Even though we already know who they are it could still make for some good telly.

Stephen P

That would be good TV