Big Brother Axed...WOO!

[|Matt|]

THE Australian prime minister, John Howard, called yesterday for the country's version of the television programme Big Brother to be taken off the air after an incident between contestants prompted a sexual- assault investigation.

Two housemates were ejected from the Australian edition of the show and police were called in after an early-morning incident was broadcast live on the internet by the Ten Network. Police said they would not be charging anyone over the incident, in which one male contestant held down a female housemate while another man rubbed his crotch in her face.

"I think it is just a question of good taste," Mr Howard said. "Here is a great opportunity for Channel Ten to do a bit of self-regulation and get this stupid programme off the air." Saturday's incident is the latest in a string of controversies over the antics of the Australian housemates. The previous week, an adults-only version of the show was ditched after complaints about excessive nudity.

Members of Mr Howard's conservative government have complained that the show is in bad taste. It will also undermine the Ten Network's push for a more deregulated media market.

What do you think about the program being axed?
Personally im over the moon. Im sick of hearing idiots at school chatting non stop about the stupid program that is Big Brother. Such a stupid name as well.
Big Brother this, Big Brother that...SHUT THE FUCK UP!

[Binaural]

Er, is it just me or is there no mention of the show's axing in your post? Sure, it may be, but it's still a going concern AFAIK.

[|Matt|]

Er, is it just me or is there no mention of the show's axing in your post? Sure, it may be, but it's still a going concern AFAIK.
Yeah sorry posted the wrong article, correct one is up now

[Wattsy]

Funny part is, all this controversey is getting higher rating's for Big Brother. I'd like to see it get the chop.

[-Jordan-]

Big Brother this, Big Brother that...SHUT THE FUCK UP!

haha, got to agree with you there.

I have seen the show a few times ( I don't watch it, was flicking through as you do), and everytime I have seen it, there is someone crying. No joke, every time.

Surely there has to be something more entertaining than watching people cry and argue all the time. (pointless arguements too). They act as if the person just died when someone leaves.

I dunno.. maybe its just me who doesn't get it. :confused:

[fattyandthepiemakers]

There is only one reason BB is still on. The desperate 40 y/os on the dole had nothing entertaining to watch as they stand in line at centerlink. If they axe BB we might live in a country that forced people to work... you don't want that do you? :p

[the F.H.B]

Kill it! Kill it! Kill it! I detest that show and all it stands for.
Maybe they could have a reunion with all the housemates ever and burn down the house with all of them in it!
Now that I'd watch:D
Gotta say that I met Gretal at my last job and she was such a repulsive, arrogent cow, the idea that someone like that is even employable makes me want to puke!

[mtb1611]

There is only one reason BB is still on. The desperate 40 y/os on the dole had nothing entertaining to watch as they stand in line at centerlink. If they axe BB we might live in a country that forced people to work... you don't want that do you? :p

Err, is BB on TV during Centrelink business hours? So BB is responsible for unemployment in people aged 40 years and over? Shite, I never knew that, in which case I feel it is my civic duty to state categorically that BB should be axed post haste. Chop chop! Let's get those 40-pluses back at the coal face pronto, can't have them dragging the chain now can we?!

[Rik]

As much as I'd like to see that show and its fans dissapear, a knee-jerk reaction from policitians shouldn't be the way of its demise.
What happened on the show for this to all blow up shouldn't just be swept aside with everyone yelling "bad, bad BAD!". The contestants on the show are behaving in that way for a reason, which IMO shows there's deeper issues that need to be addressed.
Why would anyone think it's funny to rub/slap genitals on someone else against their will, and then why would the victim shrug it off as being "just a joke"? It's not cool, it happening on the show and the reactions indicate some people out there think such behaviour is funny/acceptable, and we need to worry about that more than we do a stupid TV show.

[Robb]

As much as I'd like to see that show and its fans dissapear, a knee-jerk reaction from policitians shouldn't be the way of its demise.
What happened on the show for this to all blow up shouldn't just be swept aside with everyone yelling "bad, bad BAD!". The contestants on the show are behaving in that way for a reason, which IMO shows there's deeper issues that need to be addressed.
Why would anyone think it's funny to rub/slap genitals on someone else against their will, and then why would the victim shrug it off as being "just a joke"? It's not cool, it happening on the show and the reactions indicate some people out there think such behaviour is funny/acceptable, and we need to worry about that more than we do a stupid TV show.


Someone was listening to hack yesterday on JJJ. They did bring up some very interesting points though. :)

[Rik]

True, not just Hack yesterday, but Tim from last BB series did an opinion piece in todays SMH as well. They pretty much reinforced my view on the program and the situation.
What's suprising is the reaction on a few other forums I visit... the consensus on one is that Camilla is a skank and liked it so that validates what the guys did. Sure, she might've laughed it off, but really, why did she laugh it off?

[Cameo]

I'm pretty sure they got the title "Big Brother" from George Orwell's "1984". Pretty much how the government is always watching you, with posters all around the city saying "Big Brother Is Watching You!". So yeah, how 10 got the name seems to tie in nicely with that.

So, have they axed the adults only show or have they gotten rid of the daily show and everything all together?

Cam.

[|Matt|]

I'm pretty sure they got the title "Big Brother" from George Orwell's "1984". Pretty much how the government is always watching you, with posters all around the city saying "Big Brother Is Watching You!". So yeah, how 10 got the name seems to tie in nicely with that.

So, have they axed the adults only show or have they gotten rid of the daily show and everything all together?

Cam.

Only the Adults Only....for now i hope

I am very hopeful that good old Johnny will completely axe the show and rid us forever of this tyranny and put GOOD tv shows on like Scrubs, Family Guy and American Dad (yes i understand they are on 7, but bring them to 10 and play em more often :)

[Cameo]

Which sparks another question of mine. Reading anews article on the recent issue, I saw that the names of the housemates in the show, wern't really their names in the outside world. Anybody know the reason behind this?

[luke.b]

Which sparks another question of mine. Reading anews article on the recent issue, I saw that the names of the housemates in the show, wern't really their names in the outside world. Anybody know the reason behind this?

So they don't get abused/stalked/stoned/killed/murdered/violently assaulted/mutilated/have a nasty accident involving concrete, and a long walk of a very short pier.

I think it's to protect their real identities. (ya reacon). Probly for the main reason of the massive amounts of fans waiting outside thier house if they win.

[The Paperboy]

To see that show go will be a sad day, for some poor bored freak with nothing better to do than watch a pack of dropkicks cry and carry on like complete degenerates. I say farewell and good ridence to that crap they call Big Brother.

[Xmetal]

Ditch the Aussie show and give us the Swedish show with english subtitles!!!

Turkey slapping is par for the course! :D

[fleshbone]

i wont go on about how pathetic bb is.i hate it.and it took some crap like this for people to speak up.it should of been canned years back.

[Plow King]

It honestly is a load of shit. Why the hell in anyones right mind would they want to watch a bunch of idiots walking around a house, crying over nothing. "OMGZ I WILL NOT SEE TEHM FOR 5 WEEKS MAX. OMZ I WANT THEM. BOO fucking HOO." It almost as dumb as the chick who hates pickles. BAHAHA that was funny!.

[tnankie]

I'm pretty sure they got the title "Big Brother" from George Orwell's "1984". Pretty much how the government is always watching you, with posters all around the city saying "Big Brother Is Watching You!". So yeah, how 10 got the name seems to tie in nicely with that.

So, have they axed the adults only show or have they gotten rid of the daily show and everything all together?

Cam.
10 got the name by franchising an american show.

as for 1984 its got fuck all to do with that other than the name.
1984 was about totalitarian control of a populous through fear, not about exploiting the voyuerisim and exhibionist natures of the average 10 watcher.

The only reason we have fucktards on the show is because thats what people want to see. If it was a bunch of normal people then it wouldn't be watchable because normal people aren't that interesting.


reality my arse!

[rowanr]

Which sparks another question of mine. Reading anews article on the recent issue, I saw that the names of the housemates in the show, wern't really their names in the outside world. Anybody know the reason behind this?
well, there would have been at least 3 michaels for start

[chasebro]

of all the people in the house why cammila?

[Binaural]

as for 1984 its got fuck all to do with that other than the name.
1984 was about totalitarian control of a populous through fear, not about exploiting the voyuerisim and exhibionist natures of the average 10 watcher.


On that note, I am going to plug "1984" by George Orwell as an awesome book, one of the true classics. Go read that instead of watching Big Brother, you'll be glad you did!

[|Matt|]

On that note, I am going to plug "1984" by George Orwell as an awesome book, one of the true classics. Go read that instead of watching Big Brother, you'll be glad you did!
I will be reading that next year for year 11 English.
This year i am reading his equally famous book, Animal Farm for year 10 Literature.
We don't start till next term though, i'd have started reading it but bloody Spectrum (the text book shop) hasn't mailed it yet (ordered at the start of the year :| ...)

[Martin.au]

I will be reading that next year for year 11 English.
This year i am reading his equally famous book, Animal Farm for year 10 Literature.
We don't start till next term though, i'd have started reading it but bloody Spectrum (the text book shop) hasn't mailed it yet (ordered at the start of the year :| ...)

Both excellent books. I think I prefer 1984 of the two. Another classic you should definitely read is Catch 22

[brisneyland]

If it was a bunch of normal people then it wouldn't be watchable because normal people aren't that interesting.


And these ones are?

Surely you can see the similarities between "totalitarian control of a populous through fear" by Orwells BB and the control over every aspect of the housemates lives by BB?

I think the show should be axed - not because of a bunch con-fucking-servatives got their panties in a bunch about a joke played by some hormonally crazed teenagers, but because it's an apalling bloody show.

Also, I think it's just a little below John Howard to be calling for the show's removal. He (should) have better things to do.

[Dozer]

I can't stand BB. Every show I watch on TV has BB before it and it manages to run late so I have to mute the telly so I don't have to listen to the "reality" bullshit. It is about as reality as wrestling is, staged and contrived. I still reckon that what the blokes did to that bird was a media stunt so BB could get more mainstream press and hey, it worked.
Death to big brother because big brother is a wanker. Get off my TV !!!!

[scblack]

10 got the name by franchising an american show.


Actually I think the concept was European. But could be wrong.

Don't watch it, don't give a shit.

[Binaural]

I will be reading that next year for year 11 English.
This year i am reading his equally famous book, Animal Farm for year 10 Literature.
We don't start till next term though, i'd have started reading it but bloody Spectrum (the text book shop) hasn't mailed it yet (ordered at the start of the year :| ...)

I re-read animal farm the other day when I moved house. I've read a fair bit of Russian history in the meantime and with that background the book is soooo biting. One of my all time faves, I love George Orwell. Some of his other stories like "down and out in London" (when the writer was homeless for a year or two) are also all killer and no filler.

[scblack]

I re-read animal farm the other day when I moved house. I've read a fair bit of Russian history in the meantime and with that background the book is soooo biting. One of my all time faves, I love George Orwell. Some of his other stories like "down and out in London" (when the writer was homeless for a year or two) are also all killer and no filler.
Aaahhhh, Binaural, you sound like the dork doing the friggen ads for BigBrother.:p

[chris_mtb]

complaints of exccesive nudity (sorry for the spell i just woke up) thats why it was called adults only what a retard

[Wayno]

If you don't like like the show there is an off switch on the remote or you can change the channel. Let the people decide what they are watching, this is why we have ratings. don't let the government decide what we watch. Especially since they want to be your big brother.

[R33F]

have never watched it. will never watch it. hope it gets axed so they can put re runs of M.A.S.H back on.

[NCR600]

Until Little Johnny H said he thought it should be axed, I would have been all for axing it. The only thing I find offensive about it is how frigging stupid and inane it is.

More MASH re-runs would be good.

[Ivan]

As far as i can tell from your post, big brother hasn't been axed, John Howard and a few other politicians have just called it stupid and suggested ch 10 remove it from there programming.

And I can imagine how boring TV would be if i let "little johnny" choose what i watched.:eek:

[toodles]

I don't give a shit about whether it's axed or not, but I'll stand up for their right to broadcast it. Fuck the Family First wankers and their self-imposed moral guardianship. I hate censorship! If you're really worried about your kids seeing a bit of hanky-panky at 11PM maybe you should ask yourself why your kids are watching TV at 11PM!

Dictated censorship should be a crime... Anyone remember what parental discretion means? Sheesh.

[Ivan]

I don't give a shit about whether it's axed or not, but I'll stand up for their right to broadcast it. Fuck the Family First wankers and their self-imposed moral guardianship. I hate censorship! If you're really worried about your kids seeing a bit of hanky-panky at 11PM maybe you should ask yourself why your kids are watching TV at 11PM!

Dictated censorship should be a crime... Anyone remember what parental discretion means? Sheesh.


good call, censorship really gets my back up too, and its rife in Australia.

[Grip]

Would rather watch two fleas sucking out scabs from a rat's back than watch Big Brother.

[Plow King]

Would rather watch two fleas sucking out scabs from a rat's back than watch Big Brother.

I'll sell it to channel 7 for millions!! Mwhahahahaha.

[ajay]

The only reason we have fucktards on the show is because thats what people want to see. If it was a bunch of normal people then it wouldn't be watchable because normal people aren't that interesting.


reality my arse!

What most people refuse to see is that all of us sit around and have the same inane conversations, do some mischeavious things and get involved in relationships, just like the house mates on Big Brother.

seriously, take a look at your family or your own house mates when you have a conversation, i'll bet they are not all that dis-similar to to that on BB (minus the fact they have no news).

everybody thinks that the house mates are all brainless sex junkies, the fact is they are the same as you and I, but compressed into a house from which they cannot escape. This is a sure recipe for bordom.

Once the 1st week or so goes by, they begin to forget that they are constantly being spied on and will ocaisionally slip up and do something stupid in front of a camera, it is to be expected.

As for me, i detest the show, however 1.6million viewers on sunday night dissagree. The show has top ratings, is cheap to run and has huge profits - why axe it?

So get over it. i dare say none of you find it offensive but simply dont like it because its boring, well guess what, so is Bold and the Beautiful - dont watch it!

Oh, and as for reality TV, i think alot of people take this term out of context, the reality part is that the show(s) are non-scripted.

[cressa]

I don't give a shit about whether it's axed or not, but I'll stand up for their right to broadcast it. Fuck the Family First wankers and their self-imposed moral guardianship. I hate censorship! If you're really worried about your kids seeing a bit of hanky-panky at 11PM maybe you should ask yourself why your kids are watching TV at 11PM!

Dictated censorship should be a crime... Anyone remember what parental discretion means? Sheesh.


Fricken amen to that bruvva!

[Venciferus]

I don't give a shit about whether it's axed or not, but I'll stand up for their right to broadcast it. Fuck the Family First wankers and their self-imposed moral guardianship. I hate censorship! If you're really worried about your kids seeing a bit of hanky-panky at 11PM maybe you should ask yourself why your kids are watching TV at 11PM!

Dictated censorship should be a crime... Anyone remember what parental discretion means? Sheesh.

We have a winner. Although I still don't like Big Brother and never will.

"My kids MUST watch Big Brother (I don't tell them to not watch it or turn it off) and I'm gonna complain about it".

[buss_driver]

Are u guys serious about the censorship?? We have possibly the most free country in the world and you still complain. Oh well get rid of big brother and play Scrubs (love that show) and family guy instead.

[tnankie]

What most people refuse to see is that all of us sit around and have the same inane conversations, do some mischeavious things and get involved in relationships, just like the house mates on Big Brother.

seriously, take a look at your family or your own house mates when you have a conversation, i'll bet they are not all that dis-similar to to that on BB (minus the fact they have no news).

everybody thinks that the house mates are all brainless sex junkies, the fact is they are the same as you and I, but compressed into a house from which they cannot escape. This is a sure recipe for bordom.

Once the 1st week or so goes by, they begin to forget that they are constantly being spied on and will ocaisionally slip up and do something stupid in front of a camera, it is to be expected.

As for me, i detest the show, however 1.6million viewers on sunday night dissagree. The show has top ratings, is cheap to run and has huge profits - why axe it?

So get over it. i dare say none of you find it offensive but simply dont like it because its boring, well guess what, so is Bold and the Beautiful - dont watch it!

Oh, and as for reality TV, i think alot of people take this term out of context, the reality part is that the show(s) are non-scripted.

are you sugesting that in the selection process individuals are chosen based on how normal they are?

not on how likely they are to stir up contraversy and hence ratings?

[toodles]

Are u guys serious about the censorship?? We have possibly the most free country in the world and you still complain.

Haha... you have obviously never been to Europe. Our censorship laws suck, and the fact that they're dictated to us by a government that's heavily influenced by religious groups masquerading as "family" groups makes it worse IMO.

[scblack]

.......... the fact that they're dictated to us by a government that's heavily influenced by religious groups masquerading as "family" groups makes it worse IMO.
Toodles, Abbott may be a religious nut, but I don't believe the Liberal party is too influenced AT ALL by religion.

Though your Queensland govt I don't know about. But then QLD has always been run by fruit loops.:D

[Cave Dweller]

I don't think the liberals are overly influenced by the religious nutters, but they definitely take that into consideration on almost every decision they make seeing it is one of their large voter bases. Their anti-gay marriage stance is a good example, no reason for it in a democratic society with anti-decimation laws, other then to keep some of his voters happy.

But i don't think they are an overly religious party, if he was i doubt he would have bought in alot of their current policies, if anything they are influenced by big business waaaaayyyyy more.

[ajay]

are you sugesting that in the selection process individuals are chosen based on how normal they are?

not on how likely they are to stir up contraversy and hence ratings?

Im saying that show in general stirs up controversy, no matter who you put in it...;)

[TheBofh]

Are u guys serious about the censorship?? We have possibly the most free country in the world and you still complain. Oh well get rid of big brother and play Scrubs (love that show) and family guy instead.

I worked for the newsroom of the national broadcaster at home & I am very suprised by how staged, stage managed and sanitised the news bulletins on the Australian commercial TV stations are. I know that they don't have to be as unbiased and impartial as a national broadcaster like the ABC but every time I see Sandra "I can't say my own name without making a mistake" Sully present the news on Ch10 I feel like I'm being fobbed off with an airbrushed version of reality.

Back on topic; there's nothing wrong with Big Brother, in fact I'd prefer to watch it than some inane gameshow, soap or American sitcom as at least it involves (mostly) real people. This year is particularly poor as they have chosen housemates based on appearance rather than character, previous years have had some interesting people, but still it is your choice to watch it or not.

I am much more offended by unecessary swearing in movies. There are many MA rated movies that would be PG but for the language, you don't turn a romantic comedy into an edgy gritty cutting satire by having the characters say "fuck" every couple of minutes. I'm not offended if the language is relevant but there are movies that I could take my 4 year old along to but for the language.

[Customjimmy]

But i don't think they are an overly religious party, if he was i doubt he would have bought in alot of their current policies, if anything they are influenced by big business waaaaayyyyy more.[/QUOTE]

Indeed, like endemol etc. who make 12million a year off that crap show. It ain't going anywhere at that money!!

[looseunit]

Haha... you have obviously never been to Europe. Our censorship laws suck, and the fact that they're dictated to us by a government that's heavily influenced by religious groups masquerading as "family" groups makes it worse IMO.

Very true esp under our current government any one remember Brain Haradine and the changes to the board of the Office of classification.

I don't think the liberals are overly influenced by the religious nutters, but they definitely take that into consideration on almost every decision they make seeing it is one of their large voter bases. Their anti-gay marriage stance is a good example, no reason for it in a democratic society with anti-decimation laws, other then to keep some of his voters happy.

Have a read of this of those who dont think that religious right have not had an effect on claffication in this country. If the source seems a bit left but do a search on the ABC website there have also been several episods of lateline and one on 4 corners about the changes in classification in this country under the howard government. I cant be bother posting them all because there so many of them.

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2000/feb2000/rom-f11.shtml

[Elbo]

The other day, even ABC radio was talking about the whole big brother issue. Even if we are talking about it, with the point of discussing how utterly crap it is, what a waste of time and is pretty much a show set up to humiliate a whole lot of people for the enjoyment of society.. we are still giving it publicity. People get curious and start thinking they'll tune in just to hopefully catch a glimpse of something that shouldn't be on air. Sooner or later (even now), the target audience group has expanded from 13 year old girls with mobile phones and horny 15 year olds trying to see some slipped nipples to 'mature' adults.
On that note, let's continue talking about it.
Did anyone read the thing about big brother in 'the age, green guide' a few weeks back. Before this whole incident with the sexual assault, but after one housemates act of exposing himself. The article said that there are some good things about big brother, basically the fact that it teaches people the way NOT to act. Anyone agree with this?
Personally, i think the journo's were just trying to find something positive to say about the show.

[Binaural]

<snip>
The article said that there are some good things about big brother, basically the fact that it teaches people the way NOT to act. Anyone agree with this?
<snip>

I think people are very bad at learning from the mistakes of others ;)

[@nDr3w]

pffffft....big brother. honestly, you would watch the OC because it is less scripted.

and as to "little johnny" deciding what we watch? if it was my l"ittle johnny" we would axe big brother and keep adults only...but unforutanately the "little johnny" that runs this country is old and wrinkled and it is very hard to excite him.