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Celebrity Big Brother - days 1 and 2

Ulrika Jonsson
  • Posted at 11:07am
  • 05 January 2009
  • by PaulJones-RT
  • 6 comments

The trouble with Celebrity Big Brother - as opposed to proper BB - is that the format provides less scope for conflict. A fortnight or so in the comparative luxury demanded by the stars can't create that much stress. And a lot of the celebs are in there to boost their careers, not ruin them, so they should be on their best behaviour.

Having said that, there is certainly some potential for conflict. Shameless star Tina Malone describes herself as "hormonal, OCD, bi-polar" and has already started to get uptight at the thought of not being able to have a shower every day.

Scottish socialist politician Tommy Sheridan has done time for protesting against the poll tax and nuclear armament - "conflict has been my life", he says - and although he's trying very hard to be laid-back and matey, I feel like there might be some aggro to come from him at some point.

Meanwhile, Ulrika Jonsson has admitted that, for her, winning would be "leaving sane and reasonably emotionally intact". She already seems on edge, and has been particularly unamused by Terry. Wait 'til she finds out he put her up for eviction…

On the other hand, if there was no strife, just niceness, would that be such a bad thing? (OK, don't bother to answer that.) We've already seen Tina and LaToya Jackson bonding over shared neuroses and life experiences. It would make a brilliantly unlikely friendship. But can LaToya handle Tina's constant swearing? She was wincing under last night's barrage of expletives.

There are certainly some entertaining characters in the house. I'm liking Terry Christian's relaxed, self-effacing style and what Big Brother has called his "civilian qualities". It surprises me, but I also have a soft spot for Liberty X-er Michelle Heaton, having liked her recently on Celebrity Come Dine with Me. She's not the nightmare you might assume - a fun, but actually quite considered person. Then again, I wouldn't be too surprised if she overdid it on the alcohol one night and started muscling in on Lucy Pinder's territory.

Coolio is probably my favourite at the moment. He might be a rapper but he's done remarkably little gangster posturing since he entered the house and seems a genuine, funny guy. At bedtime on the first night he professed a liking for the British sense of humour, then farted and proceeded to run round the bedroom so that everyone could get a taste - it doesn't get much more British than that. Carry on, Coolio…

I suppose Verne "Mini-Me" Troyer is the favourite to win. Initially, I was worried that the credit crunch meant Channel 4 couldn't afford to cater for his special requirements. He struggled dragging his suitcase in by himself and the doors looked a bit heavy for him to open. But by the end of the first evening he was whizzing around the house in an electric scooter drinking champagne and suggesting that the housemates all shower together. I think he'll be OK…

What do you think of the show so far? Who are you liking? Any tips for who'll win it - or be the first to lose it? Post a comment below.

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Comments

  • Posted on 08 January 2009
  • at 10:44am
  • by PaulJones-RT

Hi skybluemama

True, what with the Jade Goody-Shilpa Shetty "race row", conflict was not exactly lacking in the last Celebrity Big Brother. What I would say is that Jade Goody and her mum are – being kind – huge anomalies when it comes to CBB. As a former BB contestant, Jade is a case of TV not only eating itself but spewing itself back up again, and the mum of a former reality show contestant really is a poor excuse for a celebrity. What followed was a case of Channel 4 being deservedly punished for dropping their standards to an unacceptable low.

In general, CBB has, in comparison with its non-celeb counterpart, been comparatively benign and I still think the "real" celebs, who have at least a modicum of talent and who have at some point had genuine media careers, have more to lose by being perceived as nasty or vindictive. On the other hand, if you're in search of some media attention, and starting from scratch, all publicity is, of course, good publicity.

I agree, though, that a lack of conflict is not necessarily a bad thing for the show - and so far I'm enjoying the funny, fun bits more than the (minor) arguments.

Cheers

Paul

  • Posted on 07 January 2009
  • at 10:31pm
  • by skybluemama

Less scope for conflict... Do you remember the last Celeb BB and why it was cancelled last year. Channel Four are keeping conflict to a minimum this year because their Evil BB caused an international political storm. I think Celeb BB will be more interesting for it.

But why have such an uninformed person writing a blog. Where is the blessed Grace?

  • Posted on 06 January 2009
  • at 8:29pm
  • by Helpmaboab

Where's Grace Dent?

  • Posted on 06 January 2009
  • at 8:13pm
  • by Dylan

Hard to get into this series without the live feed overdose we are used to. Sort of BB-lite. Lacklustre set of housemates too. Verne will win, of course.

  • Posted on 06 January 2009
  • at 5:45pm
  • by Rosie

Coolio's the best and i have heard of him i could recited his whole song " gangsters paridise " its great! The only thing is i haven't heard of any of the others except Mutya. Pathetic.

  • Posted on 05 January 2009
  • at 4:24pm
  • by Marina Bradford

I am liking Coolio although I have to admit I had never heard of him before, that's who the young Garvey girl named her baby after in Benidorm! I also am liking Verne and feel a bit sorry for him as he is obviously getting out of breath and likes to go to bed early. Terry Christian is a breath of fresh air, thought him a bit of a pillock on the Word, but his self effacing style and cracking one liners could make him a winner. Cannot stand the potty mouthed Tina Malone who loves talking about sex and resembles Humpty Dumpty. I dont like smug Ulrika much either but the others I am indifferent to at the moment but things will no doubt change!

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