Big Brother is well on its way back, and excitement about the reboot of the OG series format is building. Chattr spoke with former Big Brother contestants about how they feel about the show’s return to Channel Ten and what it will need if it wants to perform.
Here’s what they had to say about it all.
Paul Dyer: Big Brother Season 4 contestant
Paul, whose daughter Lexie is about to be on Aussie Shore, is pretty thrilled that we’re going to see a return to the old-school Big Brother format.
“Big Brother‘s return to Channel 10 is a masterstroke by the network. That’s where it started, that’s when it was the best, and they know that,” he told Chattr.
According to him, if the show wants to succeed, “Australia must decide the winner and not challenges or a Survivor-type voting system.”
He also added, “They probably also need a bloke like 51-year-old pot-stirrer Pauly in the return series because his daughter is about to run amok on Aussie Shore 20 years after he stirred up Channel Ten’s Big Brother 4!”
Bree Amer: Big Brother Season 4 contestant
Bree, who was famously evicted and then brought back to become runner-up in Season 4 of Big Brother, shared she’s curious about how the new season will work.
“I must admit it got me feeling very nostalgic,” she told Chattr.
“I think Big Brother returning to 10 is Big Brother going home. In my opinion, they did it the best and they respected the format and what it was meant to be in those early years.”
“Don’t get me wrong, it had to evolve over time, and change, or people would not have kept watching. In the end, it wasn’t about the human experiment anymore; it was an over-produced game show,” Bree added.
And when it comes to what she hopes to see in this next season, Bree had a few points to share:
“I would love to see it return to being about the relationships again. It’s a hard thing to pull off, though. We live in different times now and can be voyeuristic anytime we like simply by opening social media. Can it compete with that access? I look forward to seeing what they do with it, and what new amazing characters they find to entertain us!
“Bring back Gretel [Killeen]!”
David Graham: Big Brother Season 6 and 14 contestant
David placed third in Season 6 and returned in 2021 for Season 14 of the series, which saw ex-contestants compete against new housemates.
“Let’s be honest, when Ten had the show it was a ratings success and a great mirror on society. Things went awry after they let it go,” he told Chattr.
“I really do think going home to Ten will give the format its soul back. Right now, every Tom, Dick and Harry can do lives on social media to engage their audience. The success of Big Brother was its live ‘What will happen next…?’ format, which was its core success.”
Michael Beveridge: Big Brother Season 9 contestant
Michael, who placed fourth in Season 9 of Big Brother, told Chattr he isn’t overly confident it’ll be able to compete with modern-day reality TV.
“It’s clear chaotic/toxic relationships and property development are what sell, and the beauty in BB [Big Brother] is the idea that it’s not orchestrated,” he said.
“I think the problem will be producers will have too much pressure on them from networks to succeed and will cast people with existing followings, which will erode the trust of the +35-year-old demo that will be actually ticking the survey box.
“The other issue is the payment they offer housemates. …If they [Network 10] don’t pay the contestants more, it’ll just be a pretty narrow group of contestants.”
All in all, Michael stressed, “I just feel it’s not built to succeed anymore. It can’t compete with online and Love Island / MAFS drama.”
Estelle Landy: Big Brother Season 9 and 14 contestant
Estelle finished up in third place for Season 9 and returned in Season 14, like David. Speaking with Chattr, she shared she’s optimistic about the new season.
“I think it is fantastic and so exciting,” she said.
“Pretty jealous of the new contestants if they are going to get to have the full OG Big Brother experience.”
Speaking on the success of the new season, Estelle said, “This is a no-brainer as far as success. Big Brother has some of the most dedicated viewership/superfans who have tried to hold onto the brand like a cult. They have been screaming for this since the format changed post-Channel Ten.”
“People are sick of the same reality format that produces the same contrived, edited drama. They want authentic and real and to have a say on evictions,” she added.
“If they miss any of the key factors around the OG format, it will flop.”
Heidi Anderson: Big Brother Season 10 contestant
Heidi, who placed 15th in Season 10, shared she is incredibly excited about the new season of Big Brother.
“I am OBSESSED, I was obsessed with it when it was Seven and then when it was Nine and now so pumped its back on Channel Ten and back to its original format. Bring on the life nominations. Can they bring back Sarah Marie too!!!”
Katie Schepis: Big Brother Season 11 contestant
Katie, who placed 20th in Big Brother Season 11, shared with Chattr that she’s hugely excited about the show’s return.
“I can’t say I’ve invested in the new form BB [Big Brother] on Channel Seven, but I will absolutely [be] tuning in if it comes back as it was.
“Big Brother is a household name, and it will absolutely succeed if it’s in the OG format. I think in this day and age of social media and influencers, it will be difficult to nail the casting, but if they can get real people from all walks of life that aren’t chasing stardom, it’ll thrive!”
While we seemingly won’t be seeing a return from Gretel in this next season of Big Brother (Mel Tracina has been named as the new host), it certainly looks like we’ll see Ten deliver on some of these other wishes from ex-contestants. Fingers crossed it pays off!
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