The Perfect Soap (Big Brother (TV Series))

Member Name: ricks22

Product:	Big Brother (TV Series)
Date:	24/08/00 (7 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Insanely compelling, real.

Disadvantages: It must end.

I was addicted to Neighbours for about five months last year. This, I am aware, was pure folly. For what is Neighbours but the plaything of a series of moneymaking scriptwriters. The characters aren't real, their interactions are oh so planned, the events mean nothing to me. But Big Brother! What an idea! What a brilliant, perfect even, moneyspinner.

Apparently it's an advertiser's dream, because one major demographic that watches the show is notoriously hard to reach through advertising. Why do they watch? Why does anyone watch? Because it's real, a real soap opera - people get to know the characters (real characters) and want to see (study?) their interactions.

It's a social experiment from one angle, a stunning oppurtunity for emotional voyeurism from another. And it doesn't matter how aware of the cameras the contestants are, because even if we are seeing doctored versions of individuals, we are still seeing real doctored versions of real individuals, which is just as fascinating as if all were truly open. I love Big Brother, and cannot wait for the next episode when the last one finishes. Brilliant TV - the perfect soap opera.

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