The Big Brother Australia casting call for “singles” in 2023 was the last straw for Aussies, as fans have now launched a petition for the iconic reality series to return to its original live format.
Big Brother super-fans launched the call out in July and then again in August following the announcement of casting, and have amassed nearly 1,800 signatures at the time of publication, with a goal of 2,500 signatures.
Once they hit that goal, it will be sent to Network Seven executives and production company Endemol Shine.
According to the petition’s creators, the Big Brother Australia slogan is “misleading and a manipulation of the truth [sic]” and the show’s challenges were “unfair“.
Big Brother Australia Fans Claim the Current Formula Creates an Environment That Encourages Bullying
It also claimed that the current Big Brother Australia formula “incites a culture that borders on bullying“.
“Housemates are allowed to speak about nominations and voting, therefore allowing or encouraging housemates to ‘gang up’ against others. This a very poor example to any minors who are watching,” the petition read.
However, Big Brother Australia 2022 OG Estelle Landy previously told a fan on Twitter that she had a far more positive experience during season 14.
Back in 2012, Estelle was repeatedly saved from eviction by the Australian public during season nine, which had a live format.
Her season nine housemates were accused of bullying her, as she held the most eviction nominations in Big Brother Australia history.
What Changes Were the Changes to Big Brother Australia Proposed In the Online Petition?
The petition proposed six significant changes, with fans outlining how the show could return to the original formula.
Big Brother fans requested “live steaming” and “live evictions”, suggesting the current style didn’t show what was “actually happening” because it was “heavily edited”.
It claimed that BB is a “show is for the viewers and only the viewers should be voting housemates out of the house”.
While fans seemed keen to keep housemate nominations in the show, they wanted discussions about nominations to be “banned”. They even suggested housemates should get “punished if they break this rule”. Harsh!
“The advertisement of “who wins you decide” is very misleading as often the viewers do not have the opportunity to vote or save their favourite housemate,” it read.
After concerns that the challenges were “ableist“, the petition suggested there should be a mix of “physical, psychological and mental challenges”. It also requested the return of Big Brother Friday Night Live.
Big Brother Australia 2023 Casting Call Asked For “Singles”
Big Brother‘s 2023 casting call seemed to suggest they’re looking to put a romantic twist on the classic format.
“Calling all SINGLE housemates to come and play Big Brother’s game,” the digital casting call read.
The lengthy application form asks (kinda intense) questions about the potential housemates’ love lives, what they look for in a partner, what their biggest “deal-breakers” are and even whether they’ve ever been in love.
However, the Big Brother Instagram did clarify that “people in relationships are still welcome to apply”.
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