Channel 10 is turning back time, promising the new season of Big Brother will feel just like the early 2000s again.
For starters, the house has returned to its original home at Dreamworld, where the first 11 seasons of the reality program were filmed between 2001 to 2014.
“The Big Brother house is synonymous with Dreamworld, so bringing the OG format to its OG location feels right,” new host Mel Tracina told news.com.au.
The Nova radio personality said the show is going back to basics with live nominations and live evictions.
So does that mean Big Brother Uncut, which aired for the first six seasons, will also be making a comeback?
“This year there’s no return of Big Brother Up Late (or Uncut),” Tracina said. “We’re keeping it PG.”
The host said viewers will be able to watch all the action from the house via a live stream 24/7, but added, “again, that will be moderated to make sure that everything we broadcast is up to broadcast standards”.
That admission will no doubt disappoint many Gen X’ers and Millennials who spent their younger years sneaking a look at the adults-only version of the show, hoping for a bit of nudity or some scandalous late-night chat (this writer included).
Housemates
Tracina told news.com.au that this year’s housemates have been selected and are now going through final checks and approvals before entering the house on Sunday, November 9.
“What makes Big Brother so iconic is that you’re throwing into the house people that wouldn’t necessarily meet every day and wouldn’t hang out in each other’s circles,” she said.
This year’s housemates are a “real mixed bag”, the host says, with a single mum, an ex pro surfer and a couple of clean freaks among the group.
Hosting gig
Tracina will be the fifth person to front Big Brother Australia, with previous hosts including Gretel Killeen, Kyle and Jackie O and Sonia Kruger.
The Cheap Seats regular hasn’t reached out to any of the others for advice, but has heard from a number of former contestants.
”I work with Chrissie Swan, Nathan (Morris) who’s part of Nathan, Nat & Shaun on Nova Perth, and of course Fitzy (Nova Sydney), and they’ve all just explained how much they loved being part of the show, and how much fun I’m gonna have,” she said.
“Everyone is saying just to enjoy it,” Tracina added.
Big Brother returns to Channel 10 on Sunday, 9 November at 7pm
