*This story has been updated*
Same old challenges and a disappointing cast, but Producers hope they can pull a rabbit out of the hat and make the new series of BIG BROTHER the compelling show we all want it to be.
TV Blackbox can reveal the new series of Big Brother wrapped production yesterday after a frantic couple of weeks of filming. After production was shut down for 48 hours due to a COVID-19 scare, shooting was accelerated so that the series could be completed without being shut down again.
As we already revealed, producers have been bitterly disappointed with the cast, who appeared great on paper but not make great talent when the cameras were rolling.
Endemol Shine Australia (the production company) is working overtime to make the show more engaging. This comes after an eviction was not recorded and had to be restaged.
An earlier version of this story reported Seven executives were unhappy with the first screening of the first episode, but sources tell us Seven won’t see the first episode for a few weeks yet.
Until then, Endemol Shine Australia are using every trick to being out the very best of the footage shot and create a compelling and funny storyline.
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Endemol Shine were adamant a new Australian version of Big Brother would involve a new format before they would sell it to any local broadcaster. Their plan was to use this market as a test case for the rest of the world in order to evolve the ageing format.
The changes appealed to Seven who were after a big reality format. Nine had first right of refusal but didn’t have any place in its schedule for the approx $20million production.
The new series has been sold as “the game has changed” but we can reveal one of the oldest games has made a comeback in this format. the YES/NO game has been a staple of many iterations of the show and will also form part of the 2020 edition.
While usually a home run, executives are concerned the YES/NO game did not generate the usual humour seen previously. This was the first red flag for producers who realised the casting wasn’t quite right.
True to their word, the series has finished without the announcement of the winner. Two people are left in the finale which is planned to be broadcast live to allow viewers to vote for the ultimate victor.
Seven has not announced an on-air date yet
