With much of the talk surrounding the upcoming
Big Brother 8 on CBS being of the doomsday variety, I was wondering what could possibly revitalize the once proud franchise. It was a mild surprise that the show was renewed after last summer's all-star edition, and there has been a leadership change since, with former executive producer Arnold Shapiro giving way to Allison Grodner. CBS has been mum on the changes we can expect this season, but I wouldn't count on anything terribly drastic.
Given the limitations of airing on network television, I wondered how Big Brother might benefit from being on cable. The reason this came to mind was that it seems a little bizarre that Big Brother has become a runaway worldwide success, especially in Europe. These international incarnations are different in a few important ways. However, the most important (and universal difference) is the lack of censorship that plagues the US Big Brother.
The European versions are rife with foul language and nudity. Maybe these are things that offend you. If they are, you probably aren't watching Big Brother anyway, so that shouldn't be an issue in gaining an audience. Wouldn't a more uncensored, extreme version of Big Brother catch your attention?
The American Big Brother franchise needs a change. Moving it to a cable network would invigorate the game and allow the producers a whole lot more flexibility to work with, especially in casting. The downside would be a smaller network audience. However, the live feeds would likely gain popularity (because they could show EVERYTHING). You also increase the chances in a no-holds-barred show for water-cooler discussion. The European versions are consistent tabloid fodder.
If it doesn't work out for CBS and
Big Brother 8, here's one vote for a move to cable.
-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(Image Courtesy of BBC.uk)