I think some do people take it too seriously - which causes all sorts of fanatical behaviour, frantic 'defending' of their favorite hm no matter what the context, and hijacking of any thread relating to them, all of which causes all sorts of heated arguments on the forum.... but that's kind of what the program is set up to exploit...... Mesostim made a good point - the program does actively invite the viewer to judge the participants and get involved by voting etc, so it's not really surprising that some people do get too involved and take it all too personally.

Having said that, there are a lot of people (as this forum shows) who don't take it too seriously and do see the hms as just people who competed in a reality show.

As for the Kate/Alex threads on here at the moment, whilst there are one or two vehemently pro/anti people on them, most people participating in them are just having a laugh (I think)! They're also a bit of a warm up for BB6.....

People who write bad comments, well horrible ones are embarressing, I idn't like every housemate, I didn't like Becki at all! But, if she came on here I would be civil to her, they're human aswell and have feelings I suppose

I do think many take the HM's too seriously but a lot of FM's take other FM's too seriously too.

I'm a bit of a sucker for the underdog HM myself which does cause problems for me

Well it's not a matter of life or death, like football.

I think that anything that you invest a lot of time in you are going to take a bit seriously. I suppose it's getting things in the right perspective that's the main thing. It's not going to change your life for the better or worse. Sit back and enjoy the ride.....

Good question.

It's addictive even if you only watch the highlights, but for those of us who follow as much as we can, it's über-addictive. It takes you over a bit. We live with them, watch them eat and sleep and play and fight - it's a bit like being in a relationship, so I'm not surprised that we can feel as passionate as some of us do.

It's only a game show; but it's so much more than a game show.

(Well to me, but I'm sad. )

BB is perfect for those empty months between seasons.

Back on topic

Its only the bullies who tend to get to me.
Otherwise i try to not judge too much

I can guess where your loyalties will lie next year then

You know what I think? I think for some fans (and I'll include myself here), the experience of the housemates is reflected (albeit with less intensity) in their own experience - you get drawn into the dynamics, the emotions, the conflicts and such like. You are virtually living in that house with them, if you get my drift.

You hear the HMs saying how things that took on such importance in the house seem trivial once they're out. I think it is the same with fans - things that seem of monumental significance while the series is ongoing seem so silly on reflection.

Am I just talking bollocks or does somebody know what I'm wittering on about?

Yes I think you are correct for many.However many also keep the same trivial issues revolving in their heads for years after whereas the housemates by selection are fairly extrovert can-do people who move on to exploit their opportunities-some successfully some not so.It is amusing how many for a long time after say they have never had time to watch any of the tapes made for them because they are so busy and have moved on.(and they are by definition NOT tv watchers like us)So remarkably my conclusion is that people who watch BBTV AND post on forums and(use computers)are actually NOTHING like the sort of people who go into the BB house.

Bit of a giveaway isnt it

I'll always picture you like that from now on


Anyway, my view on it all is that it is a game on here for most of us on the forum with goodies and baddies to boo and hiss at or to cheer on but there will always be the odd exception on a forum this size who struggles to divorce what they see on the TV or in the papers with the real person behind the character they play and that is a shame

As to the housemates being shocked at what has been said about them well I think Cameron recently pointed out he was a big fan of the show before he applied to go on it, Marco, Jonny & Vic had all mentioned things they had read on the forums prior to going on BB (there may well be others I have forgotten) there are several other sites around where former housemates have put in an appearance and I don't doubt from what most of the housemates have also said about the warnings they got about negative reactions they may have to face afterwards that it would be such a shock to them after all. When all is said and done, BB is primarily a popularity contest and by its very nature some of those contestants are not going to win and if they haven't weighed this up before applying and don't heed the warnings they do get it is really just tough luck, nobody makes them enter.

Dont say i didnt warn you

exactly my thoughts. birds of a feather we are.

I certainly agree with the above. I do think however, that some posts are a little to judgmental and go over the top somewhat.

I also think that some forum members take the criticism of HMs as a personal insult to themselves, which of course isn't the case, and then a perfectly rational debate turns into a free for all.

When I am judging the HMs I try and be reasonable in my comments, and recognise that we all have faults, including the HMs. At the end of the day, although we are asked to judge these people, and vote for them based on our conclusions, it is only a game show.

I guess it comes down to how well the HMs actually know themselves. We all like to think we are "liked" and consider ourselves to be "nice" people at heart. However, I would suggest that any one of us put in the BB house, under such a microscope, would be shocked by certain things that were said about us, or misinterpreted. Plus don't forget that editing doesn't help and often gives us only one view of a situation.

That was one thing that I admired about Jon Tickle, he was fully aware of himself, who he was, what people might think of him, and his faults, and was able to balance any negative feelings about him with the positives (which he knew existed). I think as a HM its a matter of knowing that no one can be liked by everyone, and for every bad thing said about you there is a good thing, and also remembering that those people who really love you will still love you when you come out - they know all your faults anyway and accept you for them. However, being able to rationalise this in your head does not mean that you are able to do it for real.

Yes I agree with you for the majority of your post and especially this bit, a lot of previous posters have only emphasised the negative aspects and I think there are positive ones that shouldn't be overlooked too.

I do also think it was right for you to point out that maybe our own perceptions of ourselves don't quite match up to the reality of things, I will add that this applies whether we are HMs or FMs

Certainly agree with you on the latter.

I think the people who take it too seriously are the ones particularly on the channel 4 BB forums who come on every day starting fresh hate threads on the HM they dislike

That's one thing I always find really interesting about Big Brother and one reason why I always try really hard not to get too judgemental (although sometimes it is difficult!).

For a start the HMs are usually fairly young - and I know that when I was in my 20s I said and did a lot of things that I would never say and do now - frankly I made a total arse of myself. I'm not saying that everyone in their 20s doesn't know who they are/what they're doing, but I didn't and therefore I try to give people the benefit of the doubt.

Second, BB only goes on for 10 weeks. It reminds me a bit of my first ever term at University - you're put in Halls with 20 or so people you've never met before and in those first 10 weeks (after dicussing what A levels you did) you spend a lot of time getting drunk, forming close friendships and forming groups, you then change your mind after a few weeks etc etc. By the end of a year (or three) at University you have a completely different tale on the people you were originally with. From that perspective it's a little unfair to make concrete decisions about what the HMs are 'like' - especially because of the intensity of the experience they are going through..... they may be in for the fame, the money or just the experience, but whatever their reasons I'm willing to bet it's a totally different experience from the one they were expecting.

Brilliantly put. You are definitely right about the age thing. You are less likely to really know yourself in your 20s than you are at an older age (I am not saying you know yourself any better when you get older, but your do have a better chance of doing so). When I was in my 20s I found that my opinions changed like the wind (which is not necessarily a bad thing as at least you tend to be more open minded), and I sometimes see that in the HMs Kitten was a fine example of that. She had all these brilliant ideas as to how the world should be, but she hadn't really thought them out very well.

I prefer to make micro judgments on the HMs - i.e, what they did in a particular circumstance and whether that was good or bad, rather than attributing one particular act to the person's character as a whole. One stupid act or comment does not a stupid person make.

OF COURSE WE DO, Why the h**l else are we here 3 weeks before its starts.

Is dicussing the unknown HMs based on some dodgy not very well coded postings on another forum, searching for any reference to the new house and trying to see whats what. BTW has anyone evere tried going to the local planning office to find out what they house looks like? Are these the actions of people who treat BB as a mere diversion from the usual TV dross.

Bit of a no brainer really.

Absolutely priceless!

Funnily enough, I do believe you.....

Having just noticed yet another FM banned on this thread, I have no intention of taking BB too seriously this summer -what, what!

Anyone know why G-BOI got banned?

One thing you can be sure of is that the bannings will be coming thick and fast.........

For the last couple of years I've drifted away from the forum while the show is on and only come back when it's over...........see how it goes...........