In the early millennium, Australia was hooked in the reality TV series Big Brother. It was a reality game show where 14 strangers were chosen as housemates and live in a purpose built home at Dreamworld theme park on the Gold Coast, with cameras watching their move 24/7. Housemates were secretly nominated by each other and were voted off one by one until the last one standing would win the major cash prize.
Season One (2001) and Season Two (2002) rated highly with the general public, that Channel Ten cobbled together Celebrity Big Brother. 12 personalities in the public spotlight were invited to stay in the house for 24 days, and were nominated / voted off every second day after a week of being in the house.
Celebrities who took the invitation were:
- Kyle Sandilands
- Red Symons
- Vanessa Wagner (Jesse Tobin)
- Anthony Mundine
- Imogen Bailey
- Gabby Millgate
- Sara-Marie Fedele
- Adriana Xenides
- Kimberley Cooper
- Dylan Lewis
- Jay Laga’aia
- Warwick Capper
Each of the housemates conducted games, puzzles, activities and challenges, all in the name of charity. As the show progressed, various guests dropped in, such as Mikey Robins, Bert Newton, Bob Downe and more. Of course, there were scandals, such as Symons finding an exit path straight into the camera path. As well as Capper booted out after exposing his penis to Cooper.
After 24 days, Lewis ended up winning $100,000 for his charity.
The spin-off rated moderately, but was less successful than the first 2 seasons.
Now, some Big Brother fanatics put up unofficial episodes online for the world to enjoy… or maybe not.
