I love it!
The Big Brother Appreciation Fan Club
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The Big Brother Appreciation Fan Club
Who here loves Big Brother? Who does everyone think will win? Most importantly- WHO WILL BE OUT TONIGHT????!!! (defo Sam- get the shiney faced one out!!!)
I love it!
I love it!
Goodbye, and have a pleasant tommorrow!!
I swear to drunk im not God.....
I swear to drunk im not God.....
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Walltowall
- Getting settled in
- Posts: 21
- Joined: Fri May 12, 2006 1:07 am
What do people think about the ongoing attraction of the BB format and the amount of time that's required to follow some TV progs these days? I tend to find that I get fed up with certain shows especially when they demand a lot of my viewing time and organisation.
24 is a good example. I think with a lot of programmes if you start to make the effort to watch them then you might well get hooked, but after watching a couple of series of 24 I sort of decided I couldn't be bothered with it anymore without giving the 3rd series a chance. It might have been around the time when work and life in general was getting busy and I didn't feel like setting aside another 24 hours of my life in front of the box. (It was so different all those years ago when I'd happily watch mammouth series of Dogtanian or Mysterious Cities of Gold without a second thought, but I digress!)
I've done the same with BB in recent series to certain degree. Until the last series I'd seen a all of the series I could have done (I was in non-BB sur la continent-land for one series) but the last series I just thought "can't be bothered" and hardly saw 5 minutes of it. I didn't watch it from the beginning and hearing elsewhere how dopey or extreme some of the people were didn't endear me to it, neither did the brief snips of it I caught while channel-hopping. So that was that. It passed me by and the people at work weren't big fans either so there wasn't any water-cooler moments where the pressure might have been on to start watching.
For those who do watch BB and other long running time intensive series, have you found that the format is sufficiently varied to keep you watching? Does the format need to keep adapting to hold your interest or do you find the general show appealing?
For everyone generally - does anyone else find the same with getting drawn into TV series (or not being?) How about watercooler peer-pressure at work?
24 is a good example. I think with a lot of programmes if you start to make the effort to watch them then you might well get hooked, but after watching a couple of series of 24 I sort of decided I couldn't be bothered with it anymore without giving the 3rd series a chance. It might have been around the time when work and life in general was getting busy and I didn't feel like setting aside another 24 hours of my life in front of the box. (It was so different all those years ago when I'd happily watch mammouth series of Dogtanian or Mysterious Cities of Gold without a second thought, but I digress!)
I've done the same with BB in recent series to certain degree. Until the last series I'd seen a all of the series I could have done (I was in non-BB sur la continent-land for one series) but the last series I just thought "can't be bothered" and hardly saw 5 minutes of it. I didn't watch it from the beginning and hearing elsewhere how dopey or extreme some of the people were didn't endear me to it, neither did the brief snips of it I caught while channel-hopping. So that was that. It passed me by and the people at work weren't big fans either so there wasn't any water-cooler moments where the pressure might have been on to start watching.
For those who do watch BB and other long running time intensive series, have you found that the format is sufficiently varied to keep you watching? Does the format need to keep adapting to hold your interest or do you find the general show appealing?
For everyone generally - does anyone else find the same with getting drawn into TV series (or not being?) How about watercooler peer-pressure at work?
I'm going to tackle the BB thing in the other thread because it seems more appropriate there. The time shows require to follow them is an interesting point.
I like a lot of shows that require you to see every episode or things stop making sense. I tend to record or buy DvDs of these shows rather than watching them live because I'm not willing to reorganise my life around a broadcasting schedule.
I don't think that anything that interesting can be placed into a neat 30 minute bundle in which every issue is raised and resolved within that timeframe. I think that a lot of the more interesting programs out there are interesting because of the levels of complexities and interrelating plots. For me TV is active, I don't vegitate in frount of the TV and watch for hours, I watch maybe 2 things in a week, but do so actively.
For me demanding that a TV series should make sense without having to watch every episode is like demanding that a book should make sense without having to read every chapter.
But that's just for me, I can see why you might want something you can flick on for 30mins disposable entertainment when the rest of your day has a bit of a gap in. (I use computer games for that :P) Fortunately there's more than enough TV out there to support both needs :P
Edit:
Figured I should answer some of the questions that were specifically asked ;) I go off on rants to easily.
"have you found that the format is sufficiently varied to keep you watching?"
I don't think a shows format is what keeps me watching. An interesting storyline with interesting well developed characters and sharp dialog tends to keep me going longer than anything else (So no, I don't watch BB)
A show can maintain the same format for many years and I'll keep watching it so long as it continues to be entertaining. I've watched 3 seasons of the west wing and will continue to buy and watch more so long as they keep making me laugh, I stay invested in the characters and they give me interesting things to think about (or new angles to look at old things) They don't need to change the format in any way.
"Does the format need to keep adapting to hold your interest or do you find the general show appealing?"
Nope. A static format with an adaptive content will keep me going. The same content over and over on the other hand will quickly bore me. One of my problems with BB was that after the first couple of series most of the interesting interactions that were likely to happen, happened. Now they try very hard to force interactions, which firstly doesn't often work and secondly means that when they do happen it's less rewarding because you're watching something so obviously artifical (All TV programmes are artifical, it's the ones that <i>feel</i> organic that are often the most sucessfull)
"does anyone else find the same with getting drawn into TV series (or not being?) How about watercooler peer-pressure at work?"
Bah, this forum needs a way to view posts while on edit mode. I can no longer remember what "the same" reffers to. I don't tend to find the peer-pressure thing happens, but at university I choose my friends so we tend to have similar interests and get into the same programms simply because we like the same sort of thing and trust each others recommendations.
I like a lot of shows that require you to see every episode or things stop making sense. I tend to record or buy DvDs of these shows rather than watching them live because I'm not willing to reorganise my life around a broadcasting schedule.
I don't think that anything that interesting can be placed into a neat 30 minute bundle in which every issue is raised and resolved within that timeframe. I think that a lot of the more interesting programs out there are interesting because of the levels of complexities and interrelating plots. For me TV is active, I don't vegitate in frount of the TV and watch for hours, I watch maybe 2 things in a week, but do so actively.
For me demanding that a TV series should make sense without having to watch every episode is like demanding that a book should make sense without having to read every chapter.
But that's just for me, I can see why you might want something you can flick on for 30mins disposable entertainment when the rest of your day has a bit of a gap in. (I use computer games for that :P) Fortunately there's more than enough TV out there to support both needs :P
Edit:
Figured I should answer some of the questions that were specifically asked ;) I go off on rants to easily.
"have you found that the format is sufficiently varied to keep you watching?"
I don't think a shows format is what keeps me watching. An interesting storyline with interesting well developed characters and sharp dialog tends to keep me going longer than anything else (So no, I don't watch BB)
A show can maintain the same format for many years and I'll keep watching it so long as it continues to be entertaining. I've watched 3 seasons of the west wing and will continue to buy and watch more so long as they keep making me laugh, I stay invested in the characters and they give me interesting things to think about (or new angles to look at old things) They don't need to change the format in any way.
"Does the format need to keep adapting to hold your interest or do you find the general show appealing?"
Nope. A static format with an adaptive content will keep me going. The same content over and over on the other hand will quickly bore me. One of my problems with BB was that after the first couple of series most of the interesting interactions that were likely to happen, happened. Now they try very hard to force interactions, which firstly doesn't often work and secondly means that when they do happen it's less rewarding because you're watching something so obviously artifical (All TV programmes are artifical, it's the ones that <i>feel</i> organic that are often the most sucessfull)
"does anyone else find the same with getting drawn into TV series (or not being?) How about watercooler peer-pressure at work?"
Bah, this forum needs a way to view posts while on edit mode. I can no longer remember what "the same" reffers to. I don't tend to find the peer-pressure thing happens, but at university I choose my friends so we tend to have similar interests and get into the same programms simply because we like the same sort of thing and trust each others recommendations.
If Big Brother wasnt as popular as it is, I dont think I would still be watching it- what can I say, its ihn the magazines and HOW CAN I ENJOY HEAT OR CLOSER WITHOUT KNOWING THE PPL THAT THEWRES GOSSIP ABOUT/ INTERVIEWS WITH???!!! *calms down* I just think that Id feel really left out of trashy telly culture if I didnt watch it, and that would make me very sad indeed 
I guess because BB has been very much a part of my teenage years (it first aired when I was 14), its become almost a summer tradtion, like Wimbledon will be for some of the more cultured members (ie- NOT ME) on this board!!! 
I also like the fact that there are many sub- shows, such as BBLB, BBBB and BBBM (test your devotion to the show by working out what each one means!!!). Its a great way to waste time/ relax/ fill in part of the day (im rather bored just now- not working as much as I woukld like, lol!). Hope this sort of answers your q, Dan.
PS- GET NIKKI OUT????!!! NIKKI TO WIN!!!! Shes the most entertaining housemate in there, with her hilarious tantrums!! Which begs me to ask: Nikki, real or fake??????
I guess because BB has been very much a part of my teenage years (it first aired when I was 14), its become almost a summer tradtion, like Wimbledon will be for some of the more cultured members (ie- NOT ME) on this board!!! I also like the fact that there are many sub- shows, such as BBLB, BBBB and BBBM (test your devotion to the show by working out what each one means!!!). Its a great way to waste time/ relax/ fill in part of the day (im rather bored just now- not working as much as I woukld like, lol!). Hope this sort of answers your q, Dan.PS- GET NIKKI OUT????!!! NIKKI TO WIN!!!! Shes the most entertaining housemate in there, with her hilarious tantrums!! Which begs me to ask: Nikki, real or fake??????
Goodbye, and have a pleasant tommorrow!!
I swear to drunk im not God.....
I swear to drunk im not God.....
-
Walltowall
- Getting settled in
- Posts: 21
- Joined: Fri May 12, 2006 1:07 am
You can see origional things if you know where to look
I went to see 7 origional pieces from a playwriting group last night, not 30mins walk from my house.
I admit I thought that TV would kill the theatre, but if this sort of thing continues it will rise again.
Hell I don't have a TV license but I do subscribe to the arts centers circulars.
I went to see 7 origional pieces from a playwriting group last night, not 30mins walk from my house.
I admit I thought that TV would kill the theatre, but if this sort of thing continues it will rise again.
Hell I don't have a TV license but I do subscribe to the arts centers circulars.
I have to admit that i am a big brother viewer. I find watching big brother entertaining and compulsive. I know that it is far from high brow viewing and of course it is staged and we only get to view carefully screened and edited peices, even their live sections are not live but compiled. The point is that i do not care. If big brother was comprised of normal people and we were really able to view them un edited and without any staging, it would make incredibly boring viewing. To be honest i do not understand why people are poimting out these things in this thread. Furthermore, to put forward a suggestion that another form of fiction, such as the theatre is so much more valid, stikes me as being elitist and somewhat condenscending. I do'nt want to upset people but this thread is for the appreciation of Big Brother, there is another thread already on this forum for people to knock Big Brother. It would be nice to be able to discuss and appreciate what is arguable one of the most trashiest yet compulsive telivision programs without critisim. I hope no one has taken any offence as no offence was meant.
Fuzz as far as Glyn and pete being genuine, i agree. However, i think that Glyn has gone from shy and humble to inflated ego in a very short space of time and is incredibly easily led. On the other hand Pete has lost some of his comedian act and his nd is becoming more apparent. needless to say i really understand where he is coming from and wish that Lea would stop getting so paranoid because he is not behaivng in a nt manner. I can really see myself in pete and some of the things that he says, especially in regards dating, is so me.
Fuzz as far as Glyn and pete being genuine, i agree. However, i think that Glyn has gone from shy and humble to inflated ego in a very short space of time and is incredibly easily led. On the other hand Pete has lost some of his comedian act and his nd is becoming more apparent. needless to say i really understand where he is coming from and wish that Lea would stop getting so paranoid because he is not behaivng in a nt manner. I can really see myself in pete and some of the things that he says, especially in regards dating, is so me.
I must say I've always favoured the people in the house I can relate to the most or see a bit of myself in, although given that they're largely a group of screaming extroverts this hasn't been often, however in several series there's been someone a bit more down-to-earth who's also from some tiny village who I feel I can support. I suppose that's an element to the show's appeal as well.
As regards the high brow - low brow debate, what entertainment and culture you choose to invibe is very much a matter of personal taste, and I'm not keen on going down the road of shouting down one in favour of the other as there's should ideally be room for both if most people opt for healthy mix of the two in their lives. The merits and deficiencies of both high and low culture are often discussed in the wider media in any case and there's no absolutes of good or bad, since both attract audiences, provide entertainment and have their wider social purposes.
Personally speaking, for a few years now I've tried to limit the McDonaldisation of my life - meaning that I cut out a certain level of junk, be it food or lowest common demoninator movies and TV progs. That said there are still times when less taxing full on entertainment has been the order of the day.
As regards the high brow - low brow debate, what entertainment and culture you choose to invibe is very much a matter of personal taste, and I'm not keen on going down the road of shouting down one in favour of the other as there's should ideally be room for both if most people opt for healthy mix of the two in their lives. The merits and deficiencies of both high and low culture are often discussed in the wider media in any case and there's no absolutes of good or bad, since both attract audiences, provide entertainment and have their wider social purposes.
Personally speaking, for a few years now I've tried to limit the McDonaldisation of my life - meaning that I cut out a certain level of junk, be it food or lowest common demoninator movies and TV progs. That said there are still times when less taxing full on entertainment has been the order of the day.
Woah! I didn't say anything about highbrow/lowbrow or better/worse. I was merely responding to a comment that lots of TV programming isn't very origional.
I think that's the case because the people investing in, promoting and broadcasting television shows want safe bets that they know will make them money so are less likely to try to put on something that's different / more origional and that the theatre is a good alternative to find more origional peices because there are much smaller groups involved in the production and delivery of such pieces thus more origional ideas are less likely to be screened out.
I'm not trying to say that one is better or worse than the other or make any judgements on people who'd choose one or the other, I was just trying to suggest that if people are wanting to see more origional programming then it's a good place to look.
Edit: Ah, I believe I've confused the issue by posting to the wrong thread. I think that I was responding to a post in the other big brother thread and got mixed up. So I see why my comments look a little out the blue.
An here's me thinking that tab based browsing was a good thing :S Sorry.
I think that's the case because the people investing in, promoting and broadcasting television shows want safe bets that they know will make them money so are less likely to try to put on something that's different / more origional and that the theatre is a good alternative to find more origional peices because there are much smaller groups involved in the production and delivery of such pieces thus more origional ideas are less likely to be screened out.
I'm not trying to say that one is better or worse than the other or make any judgements on people who'd choose one or the other, I was just trying to suggest that if people are wanting to see more origional programming then it's a good place to look.
Edit: Ah, I believe I've confused the issue by posting to the wrong thread. I think that I was responding to a post in the other big brother thread and got mixed up. So I see why my comments look a little out the blue.
An here's me thinking that tab based browsing was a good thing :S Sorry.