I find the US version to be a bit too 'staged', if that's the right word. The highlight show plays out like a soap opera, it's more akin to the Real World than our version of Big Brother.

The contestants do range in age from about 21 to late 40's. It's a much more diverse group.

showing videos of the families,

allowing phone calls,

gets more like prison every day lol

what next...a trip to the seaside? hehehehe

Average age of the US house is 30. Lots of people in their mid 30's. Then a bunch who are 25-30 along with the oldest who is 51.

The luxury contest was hilarious, epecially when they had to climb out with all the crap in their bottoms. There is so much more thought that goes into the challenges but i suppose that is to be expected when they have the same production team that does Fear Factor too.

They constantly surprise me with how much they are able to come up with with such only a backyard to work with. They had a crucial HoH comp towards the end last year that involved 4 of them racing their radio controlled cars around a huge map of the US set up on the yard. The top two then went through the next day and had to complete an assault course again with thier RC car faster than the other. The final 3 could have been so different had Hardy's RC car ended up falling in the pool, it was hanging off the bridge ready to rop but he managed to replace it just in time and went on to complete the course in the fastest time and win HoH.

I think it's only started this week hasn't it? I remember reading somewhere that Big Brother US last year wasn't as popular as Survivor - the exact opposite of here.

Gareth

Yep, the went in last weekend. The first show was on Wednesday where the first Head of House was picked (Lisa) and then on Thursdays show they had nominations.

mromega, i agree it is very different to our own. The internet feeds arent but the tv show is heavily produced more so than last year even. It is much more 'played out' than how it is on the net feeds but it means it is a lot more entertaining. I know what you mean by the soap opera thing, the speak so freely in the DR because the producers are more friendly and open with them, they would go mad otherwise, you'll see what i mean when things get mroe personal after 3 weeks.

I do love the flashbacks though, i knew the first one was coming even before they it was shown, just knew that reminder of what happened was on its way. (how i wish C4 did something like that for Adele).

Once you get to know the HG though then the HoH tasks are riveting as they mean the difference between the good, decent people you like staying and the idiots and nasty people going.


USBB1 had the piss taken out of it more than S1 over here but now things have changed round after they brought in a new producer and rule changes for BB2. BB3 beat American Idol in the ratings on wednesday night, its come a long way since the first one.

I heard it differently.
Each HM had one minute to argue their case for phoning home and then they had to discuss and vote who was most worthy of the call. They arent allowed to draw lots and arent allowed to say "im not bothered about having the call"
If they pass, they get the £400

What is quoted is pretty much the text of the C4 Press Release. Nothing was mentioned about how they decide who gets the phonecall.

Shame... BB3, like it's HMs, is a poor imitation of the others. Let's compare this - EVERYONE was talking BB the last 2 series, from the lowliest to the highest. Whomever you liked or disliked they were mostly real and potentially interesting characters. This BB has one common theme. Allegedly the viewing is up, but no one much wants to admit to viewing it, or to discuss it with the same enthusiasm. I seem to be a rare breed where I work. There is no doubt that this BB has been bloomin abysmal, and the ppl who think it's better will mostly be well under 21. Nuff said.

I think BB are hoping for an all out argument as to who gets the phone call. Lets face it they need something to liven them up. It's so boring. Whats the bet that they draw straws (bits of paper) like last week. Another boring Saturday night coming up.

As a matter of interest how many of you kept to their word and didn't vote this week (after last Saturdays disappointment). I didn't.

Okay, rather than get 10's of different posts all discussing tonights task, please continue to use this one.

All the P.R says about the task with reference to the decision is that the housemates have to decide amongst themselves. Hopefully the rules of the task will make it clear that lots aren't allowed.

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Have I missed something? How long is the phone call for? Will they be allowed to ask, or be told information about the outside world? Surely the no contact with with outside world is a shambles? An utterly silly task, even by this years BB production team.

Darren had a video message in BB1. The phone call will simply be a chat for about 1-3 minutes. No references to perceptions from the outside will or should be allowed.

I never like to judge before an event but....

if the task is that one you have mentioned then the only fools are us coz we complained last week but we are all still watchin this week too.

I hope this is not the task

I wait in anticipation..........

Can you imagine how hungry the housemates would be if they had to bet their food money on some of the tasks that have been on previous BBs? The one that springs to mind is the semaphore one. I recall Craig had problems, but he battled through nevertheless and did his best. Can you imagine the tears and tantrums with this lot? Imagine being paired with Jade for that one!

The tasks this year are boring, and originate either from someone who is lacking in imagination, or the producers are worried the housemates might suffer too much if the task is too hard.

BB has got SO boring. Now Adele has gone, it's completely deflated. Roll on next year with new producers and new housemates!

Next year they have seriously got to consider going back to the through the week tasks rather than the quick 30 min tasks, or use the Saturday tasks for something like, imunity from nomination, video messages etc and have tasks throughout the week for the shopping budget.

i think that jade should get the call. i feel sorry for her, so do the rest of my friends. however it could just make her feel more insacure. if tim gets the call, would it be engaged? or the reply must be"sorry you have dialed an incorrect number please try again." Kate should win she is by far the most funniest person(naturally)and is always there to help out. Jonny a close second. Alex i feel is loosing the plot again (Tims influence)and should not get involved in bullying tactics against Jade. tim to go next week and get the house to some normality, fun, laughter and even Alexs very funny statements. Do us a favour Tim respect yourself and walk.

*yawn* typical of you to try turn a thread into a Jonny bashing one. We all know you hate Jonny. it's getting a tad boring and annoying going into nearly every thread to hear you moaning about Jonny or badmouthing him.

Yeah, but to be fair, Darrens message was pre-recorded, by his (very cute children), and was for his birthday.

I dont see how a phonecall will work, what will they gain from it, if they cant know about the outside world?

yeah i remember the semaphore one and also the unicycling and juggling and assault course spring to mind, they were all tasks that needed several days to practise on and there were tears and frustrations and it made for more than a quick uninspiring 5 minute viewing which we are getting with this years tasks.

They need something more elaborate than yet another 'answer a few questions' type task.

You know, the HM's are so dumb. They are constantly discussing the thing , the obvious thing to do would have been to say "Ok, lets just all shut up"

so far .. Alex 0/3 right , Jade 2/3 right

Johnny 1/3

They must as well ask what number comes after 1....