What even is the point of Big Brother in 2025?
Twenty-four years ago, voyeurism alone was a strong, unique selling point. Can Big Brother's comeback actually succeed?
Last night, a familiar voice asked, “Are you ready to come home?” This voice belonged to Mike Goldman, the narrator of Big Brother Australia during its original Channel 10 run and the Channel 9 revival. With that simple question, the new Big Brother clearly stated its goal: to return to the series' roots as a pop cultural hit of the early 2000s.
Big Brother's Impact in Early 2000s Australia
The show introduced viewers to iconic moments like Chrissie Swan, Sara-Marie’s bunny dance, the dancing doona, and the notorious turkey slap. For a time, Big Brother was a cultural phenomenon, offering nightly voyeurism and revealing how people behave when unaware of constant cameras.
“Are you ready to come home?”
Big Brother first aired in Australia in 2001, soon after the format's debut in the Netherlands. Its name references the oppressive figurehead from George Orwell’s classic novel 1984.
Reflecting on the Return
However, the question remains whether Big Brother can recapture that cultural relevance or if the format feels outdated in today’s media landscape.
Author's summary: Big Brother's 2025 revival aims to recreate early 2000s cultural moments, but it faces challenges staying relevant in an era where voyeurism is no longer novel.