The James Kilgour BlogA Life Blog.

Big Brother has been running for 10 years now, bringing into existence a whole new genre of TV. Big Brother is firmly one of the connotations of summer for many people. But after 10 years, is Big Brother still able to draw in an audience?

This years series has been the lowest rated since the beginning of the franchise, with as low as 2 million viewers each episode, and a low 10% viewing stake. The eviction of Angel on June 12th only attracted 1.6 million viewers; a franchise low.

Having watched BB10 from the beginning, I have to admit that this series is the worst. The show brings nothing new to the franchise, with boring housemates, and a complete absence of any memorable tasks and any good twists. Even the “10 Years of Big Brother” Task was dull, with past housemates barely being the house for more than 10 minutes a time.

Another major issue with this years series is the lack of a lovable housemate: the one everyone wants to win. At this point in the show, day 60, a lack of such a key housemate is a major flaw. Housemates are critical to the format. Three housemates have now left; if their bored, then so are we.

The glossy magazines also seem to have abandoned this year’s series, with Big Brother front covers at a minimum. Their support was one of the key factors behind the shows massive growth and influence.

The production team need to shake themselves up and make the series more exciting. I would recommend a dramatic twist: maybe split up the existing housemates, and make them fight each other for survival. They should also send in 5 new housemates again: this time some interesting ones. Avoid further Hiras. Putting the live feed back on would help too. This is the first series not to have the feed. Funny how it’s also the least successful.

Channel 4 are dependant on Big Brother. It seems they have put all their eggs in one basket, paying Endemol 180 million for three years up to Big Brother 11 (2010). They need to bring back the sparkle.

JK

With the recent news of the Church of Scientology being banned from editing Wikipedia, here are 4 parts of a Panorama Scientology investigation, that was broadcast a year ago. I think it’s an interesting perspective. Whether you agree with it or not, it’s worth a watch.

You can also watch the reply by the Church of Scientology here.

JK

Tonight is Eurovision, and I will be watching and supporting the UK. Below is the first rehearsal of Jade Ewen, and I am very impressed. She has a great voice, and this is well worth a look:

JK

Mma Ramotswe. The No 1 Lady Detective in the whole of Botswana. (Quite a title).

The series is shown on BBC1 at 9pm. It’s one of my weekly favorites, and I highly recommend it. 

It has great plots, twists, and is hilariously funny. I really feel like I know who Mma is, like she’s a friend. Check this program out, especially if “you are a woman who lies to eat” lol.

JK

Pushing Daisies; one of ITV’s most popular American Imports. Despite its complete wackiness, it is one of my favorite TV shows. I love the way the stories unfold, the language they use and the twists and turns of each weeks plot. Now however, the show has ended; ABC has put it on the shelf, mid season.

13 episodes have been made, only 10 of which have actually been shown. Apparently, episode 13 won’t provide a narrative ending to the show. Will Ned and Chuck ever be able to touch??

Perhaps the show will return in the future; who knows, even ITV may commission it. I certainly hope so! My friday evening will be that little bit emptier without Pushing Daisies.

Here is a clip of the show:

JK

Celebrity Big Brother this year started a week ago, last Friday. The past week has been filled with excitement, laughter, and bitching about Coolio who is getting on a lot of people nerves. Tonight, Ulrika Johnson or Lucy Pinder will be evicted. My bet is on Lucy going; she hasn’t really done much in the house, and Channel 4 bosses would be annoyed to see Ulrika go, (after splashing out on a reported £175,000 for her to be in the house). Next eviction, I think we’ll see Coolio up; he’s annoying people. Will he be saved by the public though? La Toya and Verne are my favorites to win so far.

JK

Britney’s performance on the X Factor last Saturday has been heavily criticized in the press. To some extent I agree; the performance wasn’t as good as it could have been. It was disappointing that she didn’t sing live, and she was thinking a lot when she was dancing, which disrupted it’s “natural flow”. However, I think she should be given a break. She’s had a tough year, and it’s great to see that she’s coming over the hill from that. Her confidence will surely grow again, and we’ll see her back on top soon.

When she performed Womanizer on Star Academy in France, her performance was better I thought. See it below:

UPDATE: This video has now be removed because of TF1. See the X Factor video instead.

JK

Same Difference, from last year’s X Factor performed on yesterday’s result show. They followed in the footsteps of Mariah Carey, Leona Lewis, Take That and Celine Deon. All those artists sang live, and they haven’t even been competitors on the show. Then it was Same Difference’s turn. And they mimed. It was terrible miming too, and if that wasn’t enough, you could hear that there voices had been enhanced, because the song had almost quite an ‘electronic’ ring to it. Then, at the end when they spoke the sound became completely muffled. Wow. Watch it for yourself below:

It’s despicable for them to Mime on the X Factor. Being contestants who sang last year, they should have done the same yesterday. Big difference.

JK

I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here is set to start at 9pm this Sunday on ITV1! It will be the eighth  series of the show, which has provided some of the funniest moments of TV ever!

This years Celebrities are set to include: Brian Paddick, Carly Zucker, Dani Behr, Esther Rantzen, George Takei, Joe Swash, Martina Navratilova, Nicola McLean, Robert Kilroy-Silk and Simon Webbe.

So. No real celebrities there then. I wonder if this series will be as good as some of the past ones. Last years for example was fantastic, with Janice Dickinson making the show. I still think she should have won!

Esther Rantzen should be fun though, and she’s the oldest ever to go in! Anyway, we’ll shortly see good the series will be. I’ll leave you with this funny video:

JK

So last Saturday Laura White was evicted from the X Factor, despite being a hot favourite to win.

As we could see from her and Cheryl Cole’s face, there was a lot of shock at this result. It all fell to Louis to cast the judges vote of cause, between her and Ruth Lorenzo.

Now it is being said how it was “tactical” voting on behalf of Louis, and how the public was angry because she was supposedly going out with an X Factor executive, which actually wasn’t true.

All I know is that I think Ruth was actually better in the sing off. Laura too was amazing. What is strange is how certain people are still in the competition, such as Daniel. He tries his best, but he’s just isn’t in the same league as Laura.

I think as always, the public voting goes down to who has the best story, and who gets the nations sympathy.

Here’s Laura’s performance:

JK