‘The perception was that it was a little bit tacky’: Inside Big Brother’s effortless transformation from raunchy TV to family-friendly viewing
While it was previously renowned for being one of the most salacious shows on Australian TV, Big Brother has managed to transform itself into wholesome viewing.
In an interview with Mumbrella on Monday, the television bosses behind the hit Channel Seven reality series explained how they overhauled its image.
According to Seven’s director of production, Andrew Backwell, the recently revived reality show was in desperate need of a new brand image.
Making a comeback: While it was previously renowned for being one of the most salacious shows on Australian TV, Big Brother has managed to transform itself into wholesome viewing. Pictured, host Sonia Kruger
‘The perception was that it was a little bit tacky, it was young people sitting around the pool talking rubbish,’ he said.
‘If you looked at last year’s series, and the same this year, it’s completely not about that.
‘It’s about strategy, it’s about gameplay and you engage with these characters. We had to overcome that brand perception, and that was successfully done last year.’
Getting a makeover: According to Seven’s director of production, Andrew Backwell, the recently revived reality show was in desperate need of a new brand image
Backwell added that while Big Brother’s target audience was originally aged 16 to 39, ‘this series is even broader’.
Added Endemol Shine executive producer, Amelia Fisk: ‘It’s not a house full of 20-somethings sitting by the pool.
‘It was really important for us to deliver a really unique and diverse cast, people from all walks of life.
‘The perception was that it was a little bit tacky, it was young people sitting around the pool talking rubbish,’ said Backwell
‘We’ve got a 65-year-old and a 21-year-old. There’s someone for everyone at home to watch, everyone can relate to someone.’
Fisk added that Big Brother has successfully transformed itself into ‘a family fun entertainment viewing product’.
It’s a far cry from the show’s 2006 season, which saw former Prime Minister John Howard call for the series to be given the axe after the infamous ‘turkey slap’ scandal.
Diversity: Added Endemol Shine executive producer, Amelia Fisk: ‘It’s not a house full of 20-somethings sitting by the pool’
The show was screened on Network 10 at the time, with an accompanying late night special, Big Brother Uncut.
Big Brother Uncut – which was later renamed Adults Only – featured all the content deemed unsuitable for prime time TV.
Last year, the previously defunct show was picked up by Channel Seven, where it was given a complete makeover and new host in the form of Sonia Kruger.
‘We’ve got a 65-year-old and a 21-year-old. There’s someone for everyone at home to watch, everyone can relate to someone,’ said Fisk