August 05, 2006
Not At All Cool
It's not very cool to not like Big Brother. It's very easy, in fact, to be made to feel like some humourless irony-free, pro-censorship friend-of-Helen-Coonan's if you speak out against it.
But I really, really don't like Big Brother. For mine, a show that imprisons people and controls their environment to put them under unspeakable pressure so that they reveal the very worst of their personalities to entertain us, well, just feels somehow wrong.
I know it's capable of producing lovely moments. By all reports the reunion of David and his boyfriend was very moving. And having lots of people cheering the gays is certainly a wonderful thing. But I don't think that's enough to make up for what we do to these people.
I know that Gretel is a very talented host. I have in the past admired the way she is in complete control of the post-eviction interviews. And to make that much on-air time even vaguely entertaining is quite an enormous achievement. Well done to her. Still not enough.
I know that many claim some sort of academic distance - "I enjoy this not as base entertainment but as sociological study" - as if this somehow removes them from the orbit of the loudly baying, furiously texting bogans that drive ratings up. As if academic appreciation means that they are no longer complicit in the uglier aspects of the show.
It does not.
And I know the housemates are usually stupid - I don't think that makes them fair game. It has a bit of the old roman gladiator thing about it: these folks were unfortunate enough to be born as slaves, so let's make them fight in a ring for our viewing pleasure. I can't help but wonder if entertainment based around the exploitation of the less fortunate (because they're stupid) doesn't somehow make us worse as a society. Because it's basically The Running Man with fewer wisecracks.
So I'll say it once, and I'll say it loud. I don't like Big Brother. I'm glad it's over for another year. I hope it doesn't come back.
Judge me if you must.
Filed under Media
Comments
Hey there Peter - long time reader(and friend), first time poster. As someone who lives in the land of the voyer (some call it the US of A) it is almost impossible to escape the lives of pseudo-celebrity reality show puppets. I too have been ridiculed, pestered and shamed for refusing to subscribe to the mind-numbing exploits of emotionally unstable housemates. If you really want a socialogical study just move into a share house in North Fitzroy - the only difference is that there aren't any cameras to capture you on the dunny.
Stand strong brother - I support you
Posted by: HeathBeath at August 6, 2006 02:36 PM
I have been known to enjoy Big Brother in my time but I must admit I'm sick of the format - mainly because it's just mind-numbingly boring. The last series went on for about a month longer than it needed to.
However, while I understand your dislike of the show, I think your suggestion that this makes you uncool is only true in certain circles. In fact I would argue that if you admitted to enjoying Big Brother you would be ridiculed more often than supported, so I wouldn't be feeling too put upon if I were you.
It IS stupid and the people in the place are frequently dumb as gumboots, but (and I know you can argue they don't REALLY have a choice) if they continue to put themselves in that situation after however many series there have been, you can't feel too sorry for them.
The worst thing about the show is that it's using up funds that could potentially be put into something worthwhile.
Posted by: Tom at August 6, 2006 04:28 PM
As long as people keep watching, they'll keep producing it. And people have been watching in their millions; sure, down a bit each year, but still enough to justify its continued production.
I like Big Brother but dislike Gretel immensely. I also like the Friday Night Games; it's like It's A Knockout, I find it soothing in a nostalgic way. But I hate the hosts of the Friday Night Games.
Posted by: Mel at August 10, 2006 02:15 PM
That's okay, young man. We can still be friends.
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