It sometimes strikes me as odd, so many people so passionate about a reality tv show. I'd love to know why you all enjoy it so much when all you need to do to get a fix of 'reality' is to stick your head out of your front door.

Is it the very 'unreality' of the BB scenario that you enjoy do you think?

Why is a bunch of people sitting about doing nothing much so compelling?

I'm a fan of BB too and cannot really define my enjoyment clearly, I used to think that it was the enjoyment of being a fly-on-the-wall so to speak, but the involvement of people on this forum (including myself) shows that people are not just content with merely observing.

So tell me what do you all enjoy about BB? I'm writing a paper on reality tv for my MA and my own experiences are just not enough, help me out people!!!

I think some people get a real sense of satisfaction (myself included, I have to say) about being about to love, hate, and bitch about "normal"* people, with no repurcussions.

I think the public also enjoys the element of control we feel we have over the housemates' destinies - if you ignore Big Brother's interference.

Interesting disseration - good luck!

SH

* I use this adjective in its loosest sense.

The unpredictable, unscripted nature of the show probably appeals to many. As does the interaction through phone voting. Like a real life version of "The Sims" (also hugely popular with young women, funnily enough).

sheep need to be entertained too....lol

and old women!!

Diva - cool choice picking BB for an M.A!

Big Brother has a 'Gladiatorial quality' about it. For thousands of years, people have found entertainment by watching the downfall or victory of the eager contender so this whole BB fever is nothing new. If you need any help with the course - let me know.

I get to make lots of cash at various bookies expense...main reason I watch the show.

No, that doesn't work for me. It's very quiet where I live and there's never anything going on outside, unless the taxi comes to take my neighbour to the pub. And my other neighbour did have a mega row with the bitch at No12 ages ago. Otherwise of an evening I have to watch real life on TV.... (or go to the pub myself... maybe I could share the taxi? Hmmmmmm?!)

Its a great education into social psychology. If you want to learn about body language and the like just watch E4 for a bit.

Johnno, do you live in my street? My neighbor always goes to the pub in a taxi, and I have heard rumours about the bitch at No.12..............spookily coincidental, don't you think?

Anyway, the point Diva made about un reality tv seems to be the correct one. Nothing in the BB house is anything like what I'd call reality. We simply like being gossipy old flies.......
On the other side of the coin is the show "The Royle Family". Again. people sitting around doing nothing, and yet it attracted a huge audience. That's far more real to me..........just come and sit round my house of an evening. People sitting on the sofa smoking fags, watching telly where people are also sitting around, smoking fags and watching telly...........could be an interesting parallel (not sure if that's the word I want) for Diva's thesis.

Thank you for all your comments!! I've been called 'sad' so many times for watching BB, and been told that its 'trash' tv with nothing but pure entertainment (low)value. Fair enough, Mastermind, it ain't - but I think the reasons for watching are far more complex than just straightforward vegging-in-front-of-the-telly and its obvious that a lot of people on this forum have also thought this too. Hey, there's a lot more to say about BB than Mastermind, but I often find that BB watchers (myself included)are mocked by non-viewers for their involvement with the show - has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks again to everyone who replied - you will all be credited for your opinions/comments in my finished paper

I watch because provides interesting insights into
-social psychology between housemates
-tv editing and censorship
-audience psychology and media response

Plus, the feeds provide a gentle non-intrusive background entertainment similar to a having a tropical fishtank. OMG who put that pirana in there!

The same reason people gather round accidents .
....or watch motor racing .
....or look out of their windows.

Simply curiosity !
And the fear we may miss something quite exciting ...something out of the ordinary in our normal humdrum ..work ..eat ..sleep ..lives .

As stated above its also the chance for us to raise or lower our thumbs to send someone to the lions .
Although the fattest lions in the whole arena are
CHANNEL4/Endemol.
Who are aware we are nosy inquisitive creatures and take us all to the bank because of it

So true! lol