The Return of Big Brother

It may (or may not) have caught your attention that the new series of Big Brother is starting up again on 5th June. Ah well, that's my summer sorted!
The first Channel 5 promos have aired and it looks awesome.
Various rumours abound as usual - two houses this year, anybody?

I have been trying to understand why I enjoy Big Brother so much. I cannot say I have watched it from the start (only getting seriously into it during Season 5) however I always look forward to greeting it once again, like an old friend.
People have said to me that it is not as good as it used to be.

Well in some respects, I have to agree with this sentiment. Certainly the novelty of watching a group of strangers learn to live together wore thin many series ago. And I do mourn the passing of Davina. Brian Dowling is an appalling presenter however he is just this side of bearable, so do not let him sour your whole BB experience. All that said, there is still so much fun to be had in watching the exploits of these sad, attention-seeking hopefuls. I challenge anyone to say they do not enjoy watching the electric shock task (where the contestants are made to wear unflattering lycra suits fitted with electrodes) or the regular arguments over the food budget. Point in question - last year, housemate Harry was entrusted to spend the meagre household budget on a range of foodstuffs. For fun, he decided to order boxloads of food colouring, 100lbs of bananas and a palletful of Rice Crispies. Watching the others when they saw the order delivered was just priceless. Most did not take it in good humour...

Big Brother Season 6 was my all-time favourite, it has to be said. This was the year Anthony (the disco-dancing Geordie) won, and he provided hours of entertainment. Not knowlingly, in point of fact. The fun came in watching the openly gay Craig become increasingly infatuated with this straight guy, to the point where he would not allow any of the other housemates to come close to Anthony. It was so intense at times, I remember feeling that a psychiatrist should be called in to check him over.

Maxwell, Saskia, Anthony, Craig (BB6)

This was the year of Kemal (cross-dressing Turkish guy), Saskia and Maxwell (annoying couple who got together toward the end of their stint and became even more annoying) and the fantastic Makosi who claimed in the diary room that she had been impregnated by Anthony the previous night in the pool. We had clearly seen them making out in the pool and his hand may have strayed below the waterline but that was all. Makosi, for your information, was a nurse - goodness knows how she passed any kind of medical exams! But she was terrific value for money.

The incredible Makosi (BB6)

Top highlight of that series for me? Well, there were so many but I guess it has to be Kinga and the empty wine bottle (not sure if you can still see this on YouTube, but give it a try - the look on Craig's face as he watches her is simply hilarious)

Kinga (sans wine bottle) (BB6)

Celebrity Big Brother I am not quite as keen on however there have been several memorable series. My all-time favourite celebrity housemate is - hands down - Pete Burns. Who can forget the night he savaged Hollywood Z-list actress Traci Bingham, bringing her to tears, simply because he was bored?

If you will be checking Big Brother out for the first time this year (where have you been?) make space in your diary for Big Brother's Bit On The Side. This spin-off show, presented by the rather talented Emma Willis, is a whole lot of fun in it's own right. Check it out.