Extended Response #4: Why Big Brother is Back
Just a head of Big Brothers return in October, Naomi May asked me how social media contributed to its revival. Here's my extended response.
Read Naomi’s Elle Article “‘Big Brother' Is Back — But Does It Still Have A Place In Today’s World?” here
Q: What are your thoughts on Reality TV
I do reject some forms of reality TV. Scripted and deeply produced shows, here for it. Everyone knows what’s up and there are selected variables where the fun of “reality” thrives (think KUWTK RuPaul’s Drag Race).
However, when unscripted shows like Love Island and Big Brother turned from interesting observations on the human condition to a layman’s life aspiration and weekly means to judge people on the telly - I opted out.
Sure, we all like to think we’re watching BB and LI with a pinch of salt, but frankly - I promise you - no grab of salt is big enough for the subliminal influence these shows have.
I was shocked at what I was saying and thinking the times I did tune in. I found myself insulting a stranger on the screen and being mean as a means to ‘join in’. It’s not worth it even if the Maldon is flowing.
Q: How did Social Media bring Big Brother back?
For me, it’s no surprise Big Brother is back, and there are a few forces behind it.
Firstly, “online reality tv” or “social first reality tv” is hugely popular and innovated the reality TV genre.
Let’s take daily vlogging. Emma Chamberlain’s live stream of mundanity and personality was a daily comfort for GenZ. In 2008, we had Charles Trippy whose CTFxC channel (now Charles and Allie) broke the “consecutive daily vlogs” record and earned a religious following. Then you can’t mention daily vlogging without recognising Casey Niestat who turned each day into a cinematic masterpiece for 300 days straight. These vlogs are beloved and relatable plus innovated reality TV content in a way HBO et al never could. Do you think a network Producer would have commissioned a daily show of a 19-year-old making coffee and painting? Didn’t think so..
Vlogs are reality content, however, social media offerings like the HypeHouse feel more Big Brother-esq. In 2019, the HypeHouse placed big-time TikTokers into a house in California and then broadcast it across multiple social media channels. Its following was huge in a flash, but barely a year in, the show collapsed due to production controversies (such as not paying $300,000 worth of rent lol) and just every welfare issue being realised. The show didn’t last, but what it did show was an appetite for combining stars into a house and “seeing what happens” *Case for BB enters chat*.
Secondly, Big Brother was a huge facet of British culture - as big and as British as chicky nuggies. It’s been a part of the zeitgeist since it aired, but only recently has BB evolved from recent memory to nostalgic icon that is reminisced about on social media by nostalgia-loving GenZ and Zillenials. On TikTok, #bigbrotheruk has 343.1 million views and Brits continue to use “fancy another one?” and Nikki Grahame clips as means of communication.
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I think the third force behind Big Brother’s return is that it can mirror the same interplay Love Island has with Social Media, an interplay that’s social media marketing gold.
Love Island is like the football. A time of the week we all watch the same thing, iPhone in the right hand and tea in the other, and take to X /Twitter or @loveisland comment sections to share our post-show analysis. Online participation in Love Island discourse provides a sense of community, self-actualisation (i.e. having thoughts and opinions) and breeds a universal language, which football is cited to be and proved by the quotability of Big Brother even years down the line.
This is my favourite outcome of reality TV, community and unity. In the on-demand era of content and viral trends coming and going within a day, these “digital campfires” are rare robust moments of remote unison that used to be common, remember Saturday Night TV as a thing?
End of Questions!
That’s enough from me, time to read Naomi’s Elle Article “Big Brother' Is Back — But Does It Still Have A Place In Today’s World?” here
What do y’all think?
till the next time i start typing…
lol, emily chapps :)