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Axed: Big Brother

It’s time to go, Big Brother.

Now that it’s been leaked everywhere and possible embargos well and truly broken, here’s what you already know….

Production staff were told today they would not be required for 2009. TEN is not going ahead with BB next year.

A site administrator has also released this news on the official BB website.

There is some speculation that 2010 may see the ‘concept’ return in some form.

The axing of the show comes as little surprise to fans and media with a poor reception to the reality series, despite TEN’s best efforts to “reinvent” the series with the phrase “I don’t think so.” It also follows ongoing assurances TEN was satisfied the show was hitting its demographic. Last week the eviction episode came in under one million viewers, beaten by the ABC. It spiked with the appearance of Pamela Anderson but quickly dissipated.

But despite letting Gretel Killeen go for Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O, the casting for the eighth remained predominantly young and ultimately similar to previous series. Many commented that the cast resembled “a freak show.”

The axing of the series for Jackie O represents a long string of television failures she has fronted, giving her the unfortunate brand as a “kiss of death.” This is despite a long-running radio show.

Big Brother has its finale episode on Monday July 21. Mike Goldman, Ryan Fitzgerald and Bree Amer will return with Friday Night Download shortly thereafter.

This post updates.

41 Responses

  1. And after 8 years the format is done, they would have to REALLY vamp it up to change it. Not just casting (which is in dire need of change) but everything, from its image, to its sets, to its tacky cheesy Big Brother voice. This show needed a reality check, it seemed to think it was invincible and now they realize they cant do whatever they want and always have a guaranteed place on TV. Without Airtime, the show is worth 20 bucks
    But they are spending 25 million a series (30 million according to seven) and even this series saw it chopped down to the bone, very crap prizes and less airtime (uplate gone). This was an attempt at survival, their ratings over the eight years have dropped around 60 percent, Working Dog know you end on a high note always leaving them wanting more.
    This show needs a BIG break (like two years min) a different network (foxtel would have been perfect), different hosts, different look… different EVERYTHING! The excitement is gone. I personally think it should retire now with fond memories and a small degree of dignity and respect, but it is BB after all. The optimistic in me says even though its flatlined it may still be resuscitated, but it would really need to have seen the light and change its ways if it wants to survive longer.
    (ps lol@ “learnt” Dave)

  2. I dont understand…I am an international student studying abroad in Australia.

    I love Big Brother. It’s the only thing I can watch on TV that has Aussies on it besides the soaps!

    It’s so much better than over edited American reality shows where all the people are made up and look like super models.

    I think it’s just cultural cringe. Aussies seem to think everything Aussie is inferior to stuff from the US and the UK. You guys have a great country. Big Brother here is more interesting than it is in the USA. It’s more fly on the wall.

    I don’t think people who hate it actually have seen the show. They just listen to dreadful talkback radio and ACA and TodayTonight and regurgitate the false outrage. It’s a decent show.

  3. Let me guess? SOmeone wants more repeated American shows to fill BB’s slots and not air Australian repeats?

    If I wanted to watch American TV every night of the week Id just hit the net. I watch Aussie TV to see Aussie TV 🙂

  4. They are still returning with Friday Night Download? If I want to view funny clips, I would go onto YouTube. At least you do not have to put up with ads.

  5. I’m one of the people who have bagged BB fairly mercilessly this year… but I have watched pretty much every single show.

    It is going to leave a gap yes, but hopefully some new and innovative TV will come our way.

    *Cough*

  6. best. news. ever.
    i’m dying to know what they will fill all that air time with. but i don’t think 10 has the money to go out and buy great new shows. wonder what 2009 will bring.

  7. So, 10 are axing BB, but will bring it back in 2010??? What a Joke!! It needs a permanent axing, not this 12 month break rubbish.
    Anyway I am glad we won’t see this show on TV next year…. just a pity it wasn’t a permanent chop also.

  8. Yeah I have to agree with you fangera101 the fans do complain about it all the time that is why I hardly ever go the the official forums because they just whinge about everything

    The Winchester maybe they should get Jackie O to give the singing bee the kiss of death

  9. Alex, you have some good points. If BB is going to return, it should move to summer (as is the case with the British and American counterparts) and split the programming into two:
    The season launch, evictions, Friday Night Live and the finale should stay on the main channel.
    The daily shows (including an extra program on Saturday nights), nomination, Big Mouth, late night coverage and specials should be shown on the new standard definition channel or the high definition channel.

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