What makes me laugh they got rid of Arlene from Strictly because she was too old. But then stick her on this format which targets a much younger demographic.
What makes me laugh they got rid of Arlene from Strictly because she was too old. But then stick her on this format which targets a much younger demographic.
What is your source for the 'too old' comment?
It pretty widely assumed the reason for her axing is a combination of her age and gender, it was a very controversial decision as a result and the media's reaction to this has led the BBC to over compensate by highlighting the fact they're recruiting an older female newsreader.
The final series of Celebrity Big Brother will support Comic Relief, it has been announced.
The new run begins on Channel 4 on Sunday, January 3 and has the theme 'Hell Lies In Others'.
Phone votes during the series will cost 50p, with 15p going to Comic Relief. The first ever series of Celeb BB - broadcast on C4 and BBC One in 2001 - also supported the charity.
The house pictures have been released to the press and will be released at midnight. I've already seen them (via sources) and I can't say much but I'll drop a few hints. Its the same shape as BB10 but it looks like a brand new house with the amount of work that has gone on. The house is nothing like Big Brother has ever had before and I reckon people will either love it or hate it. Theres a lot of red and black in some areas, with blue in others.
What makes me laugh they got rid of Arlene from Strictly because she was too old. But then stick her on this format which targets a much younger demographic.
What is your source for the 'too old' comment?
It pretty widely assumed the reason for her axing is a combination of her age and gender, it was a very controversial decision as a result and the media's reaction to this has led the BBC to over compensate by highlighting the fact they're recruiting an older female newsreader.
I had just assumed it was because Arlene Phillips was the weakest of all the judges, in terms of speaking aloud on television that is, I have no doubt that her dancing knowledge and expertise are at a higher level that those of Alesha Dixon but then I don't read a newspaper. Maybe the BBC should phone their newsagent and cancel their subscription too. Go back to listening to the viewers, not the newspapers.
Three images have already been leaked [available on the DS forums], but I'll post one of them, just to show that effort really has been made this year in making it look different to the summer house:
Yet again, interesting how effort is finally being made once it's too late. But as I've mentioned before, it's clearly an effort from Endemol rather than Channel 4.
Well basically pretty much what I said earlier on, its very BBUSA. We've never had a house like this before so its yet another step in the right direction instead of doing something predictable and modern looking. Now its out in the open I can speak about it a bit more openly! Although for those who haven't seen the entrance, the diary room door looks a lot like the BB9 door (black/red) whilst the walls are red and the carpet is black. It is very striking, but definitely the best of the three variations of that entrance we've had so far.
Cryptic clue about the design of the kitchen. If Big Brother this year is meant to be hell, then Big Brother's kitchen is ....
Bringing it away from the show itself and back to pres, I'm looking forward to seeing what happens to Davina's outdoor presentation area, and indeed the eviction studio. With any luck we'll have lost the same style that has been there since BB6 (barring BB8). It would be nice to see the outdoor set from BB5 return or something similar. I think they need to do something to make it feel like a massive production though. The media seem to be getting back behind the show this year so if all pans out as Endemol want, there could well be a BB12 in the next couple of years.
I'm not so sure about an outdoor stage personally, sound issues were always a nightmare in terms of heckling audience members... it became a popularity contest instead of an interview.
I agree about the rest though, and seeing it's the last stint [for now] Channel 4 are funding, I doubt there's any limits to budgets to make it visually more impressive all round. I think we're finally seeing the shake up it's needed for at least 2 years now... whether this means we'll get actual people as celebrities, rather than gimmicks and 'freakshow' celebrities I don't know. If they've got any sense, they'll scrap the need for gimmicky housemates and go back to what made BB1-3 so compelling.
Well as I said on the DS forums, but was squashed for it, I think the level of detail in the new house warrents the possibility of this year's series being recorded in HD. Celebrity BB will probably be used as a test run for the summer.
