Most people on these threads think that the producers of this year's show have made a succession of mistakes, from the choice of housemates to the tasks, and a million and one other things besides.

And yet the producers can turn round and point at the viewing figures, which have been the best ever, and pat themselves on the back.

Anybody care to explain this strange dichotomy?

I think it's all on the back of the success of the last two. People were probably fed up with 'everybody' talking about it at the office last year so thought they'd better watch it this time


JM

Because England went out of the World Cup early & there's been nothing else on except Tennis

my parents (both 60+) tuned into E4 by mistake and have become hooked.They like it simply because of the in-fighting and thier dislike of jade.

So could it be that the divide and the presence of the likes of Jade have actually been major ratings winners, that we really do want the controversy and back stabbing?

Well, I'm fatter than last year, and find it harder to get off the sofa.

Also, I'm making a profit on the betting market.

They can get away with riding off the coattails of the first two series because that's all they need to get you to watch a few episodes of this one (which is not long enough to realise how much it's gone downhill) and by that point you're too involved to quit. Believe me, I've tried.

Because Big Brother has been a lot tougher this year then last. The only time Big Brother was tough last year was when they surpisingly announced that one HM would be leaving on the second-to-last night of the series.

People seem to like the back biting. Look at how many tuned in to see Adele get her come uppance.

I feel that C4 strongly have influenced 3 of this year's eviction votes - Alison's, Spencer's and then Adele's. In each case the person that has stayed in (Alex, Alex and Jade) has been the one most likely to cause tension. Alison was in the house to have fun, Spencer was laid back and a fairly calming influence, Adele did all her bitching behind backs - they were all unlikely sources of visible conflict.

The winner this year will be the contestant the public hates the least. The two most likely winners of a popularity contest - Alison and Spencer - are already gone.

Endemol are doing a very good job in influencing the public vote, their job is to maximise ratings by making the programme as watchable as possible.

To this end they are making every effort to keep the most entertaining/annoying characters in the house. Hence their early efforts to make sure Alex stayed in, and now their efforts to keep Jade in.

Viewing figures alone aren't exactly the yardstick of quality television. Soaps and game shows get great viewing figures but that doesn't make them great. Better decisions by C4 could have made the show much more fun (...and perhaps even better viewing figures if that's all they care about). nd

So how come so few people have a theory about why so many more people are watching this year's Big Brother?!

Because nobody can quite believe it...?

I have got hooked on it again, but I don't enjoy it like last years. The extra viewers are maybe those that didn't have the benefit of watching it before, so bless them they don't know any better ??

Obviously there is a percentage of the population who like all the tension- nastiness- and drama....

I don't know, just thinking out loud.....

Personally I'll have to think about it long and hard before deciding wether to watch next year.

JM

I think that there are actually a few reasons, and none of them relate to the skill of the producers in delivering the show.

First, a fair proportion of people are interested in watching real people dealing with situations. It's interesting to see the interaction and how relationships ebb and flow. If it wasn't for this character trait nobody would be watching the show at all. Even if the producers did nothing other other than provide the housemates with food and drink people would watch, especially for the nomination process and evictions.

Second, this series is building on foundations laid by the previous two series. This means that it should realistically hope to pick up the previous series' audience, and then add some more curious viewers on top. This growth is ultimately capped at the number of people from point one. I don't think it's at that ceiling yet, and I do think that had the producers done better they could have had even higher numbers, as some growth was inevitable.

Third, other media such as the internet, SMS and forums etc., mean that BB communities grow and these groups create their own dynamics and their own hype which means you have to watch the show to retain your 'membership'. Plus they mean it's easier to become involved and stay involved which is essential for a show like BB.

BB is an event more than it is a show, now. No matter what the producers do, so long as the housemates are locked in together with their nominations and evictions the show's gonna run. Unless somehow someway it drops out of contemporary culture... it stops being cool... which could happen, you never know....

anyway...

It's all the bitching. I know people love to hate but I'm surprised at the level its gone to. This country loves to hate others, we see it in the papers everyday -journos are the critics of the people. All the real BB fans are massively disappointed with BB3, we can all spot the producers attempts to make it more mainstream. I wouldn't be surprised if BB4 gets sponsered by The Sun!

Always nice to find signs of intelligent life on this forum, did you stumble in here by mistake?!

It will be interesting to see whether BB4 bears out your theories, and the audience grows further still.

Come uppance? Rubbish!
She didn't deserve anything.


Rubbish again!
Alison was voted out remember!! She annoyed the hell out of the vast majority of people and Spencer was mainly popular with young girls and he got voted out too if you recall.

The winner wil be either Alex or Jonny and they will win based on how popular they are. Both of them are extremely popular by the way and the 'hate' I suspect is based on their supporter's rivalry.

IMVHO Alex would be an extremely deserving winner due to his individuality and quirky personality and mostly endearing qualities. If the highly unamusing, paranoid, basic common 'man of the people' style Jonny wins, find me the nearest bridge please...

I don't know what you are talking about. BB1 was good, BB2 was awful. I couldn't stand Brian or Helen. Fanboys will always find faults with each year's BB. I bet next year everyone will be saying how great BB3 was and how bad BB4 is. At least this year's added arguments were a laugh.

Couldn't agree more!

I think a lot of people are watching BB3 because of the successes of BB's 1 & 2. Theres something fascinating about watching the backstabbing and bitching although very few people would like to be on the receiving end. It makes watchable TV even if it is from behind the sofa sometimes!

Hey Daxus

That's what I wanted to say! My thought processes hadn't quite got there yet though!

Thanks!

JM

sometimes I'm embarrased to put my own name on my own posts......

Alison voted out by vast majority of people???? to coin one of your expressions "RUBBISH"!!

If I recall, it was around the 30% mark, meaning around 70% didn't vote for her. I don't know what type of maths you were taught in your school, but if she annoyed the hell out of the majority of us (as you wrongly surmise) then I think she would have received a great deal more than 30% of the vote.

About that bridge...why wait until Jonny wins?????

I think the popularity of this years BB is riding on the successes of previous years. Those that haven't tuned in in previous years are watching to see what they've missed and now cant understand what the fuss is about!

Also the media have picked up on BB more this year too. Last year they only seemed to get involved towards the end of the contest. Also in recent times, reality TV, like pop idol and pop stars has taken off and BB is along similar lines - seeing people criticised, made fools of....it's a sad fact, but people seem to *enjoy* the misfortunes of others, especially if it's made public and blasted all over the TV screens....

maybe we secretly identify with the victims of the "baddies" and are glad to see their "come uppance" as it some way makes up for instances in our own lives where we have fallen victim to similar back stabbing...

just a thought!

I don't think TSR actually said that!!! Are you contemplating a career as a spin doctor?!

If you care to read the posting, TSR said Alison annoyed the vast majority of people. Where is his evidence of this when only around 30% of people voted to evict her...

that is the point I am making....instead of nit picking, go back to nose picking....it is probably more productive as you are clearly unable to formulate an opnion worth reading.

perhaps you are considering a career as a certain character in a novel by Roald Dahl who had a glass eye?!