I am always reluctant to start watching a new TV series because I know how obsessed I eventually become. But given that little bit of extra time on my hands, I thought I would reignite my TV brain with Australia’s Big Brother.
"Nicole- to the diary room!"
Back in 2005 I was living the dream- freshly graduated the year before, working with my friends at Heat Nightclub and organizing weekly Big Brother Eviction parties. Every Sunday night, the evictee from the week before would make an appearance at the club to host the night alongside Australian legend, Ian “Molly” Meldrum. We would be gossiping about the show during the week in the office so for me, an up-and-coming event manager, I was so excited to be working on these weekly events at what was indisputably one of Australia’s biggest and most renowned club nights. Not to mention me chewing poor Molly's ear off at any opportunity about Madonna.
Molly Meldrum & I: God only knows what was happening to warrant these expressions at Heat!
Every Sunday night I would meet the evictee and talent agent in the same spot of Crown Casino, bringing them up the VIP elevator ahead of the hosting activity for the night. I kinda thought I was pretty cool 😂 Here are some photo memories of Big Brother 2005 Eviction Parties at Heat- do you recognise these former housemates?
Big Brother 2005 was the fifth series of the show in Australia and to jog your memory, was the series where the Logan twins won. Greg & David Logan entered the house changing places without the other housemates knowing and it was their task to remain undetected for two weeks while Big Brother orchestrated when they would swap places in the house. While David went on to be evicted, Greg was the remaining twin and the last housemate to be evicted, so they shared the prize money equally.
There are a few significant differences between the current and 2005 series and because I have no life, I will take the time to remind you that:
- The prize money in 2005 was $1,000,000 and in 2020 it is $250,000
- In 2005 housemates were fined $5,000 every time they broke a rule- such rules included discussing nominations and not wearing a microphone. If my memory serves me correct, house mates were also fined for speaking in another language- I’d have no hope- even my non Greek friends have adopted my vocabulary
- In 2005 there were additional show features such as Uncut, Uplate & Friday Night Games
- Sonia Kruger is now the show’s host, replacing Gretel Killeen- both are machines!
- Weekly Sunday night evictions at Dreamworld in 2005 have been replaced with more frequent evictions, without the public fanfare- remember Gretel’s long winded pause “It’s time to go…. Insert evictee’s name!”
- The current Big Brother house was built in NSW, near Manly replacing the former house at the Dreamworld amusement park on the Gold Coast
Rob, my legendary boss from Heat opened Options Tavern in Helensvale whilst I was working for him and in 2006, I organised Big Brother Eviction Parties at that venue too, which was located a quick 10 minute drive from the Big Brother house at Dreamworld. The 2006 series included the infamous “turkey slap incident,” the mother daughter house mate combination of Krystal and Karen and the series was won by Jamie. This 2006 promo poster may jog your memory:
In my next role at Ed Hardy, I looked after countless personalities including the golden voice of Big Brother commentary, Mike Goldman. Here’s a photo of Mike & I at an Ed Hardy Gold Coast event:
Since I am in a Big Brother mood, I would like to nominate the following people for eviction from my reality:
3 points- Victorian Premier Dan Andrews for inconsistent and science project like COVID-19 regulations that in particular affect my field- the hospitality sector. I too love my industry and it burns a hole in my head that Premier Andrews recently allowed thousands of people to protest yet other strict, confusing measures are in place affecting my time in my house.
2 points- Geelong coach Chris Scott- I am still not over him playing All-Australian DEFENDER Mark Blicalvs on the wing against Richmond in the preliminary final last year while Tom Lynch single handedly smashed Geelong, kicking five goals for Richmond. This affected my mental health and cost Geelong a spot in the Grand Final the following week while our prized defender played up the field. I also have to listen to how Richmond are still the reigning premiers and this makes me feel uncomfortable.
1 point- Geelong coach Gary Ayers- for dropping Gary Ablett Senior to the reserves in 1996. This affected my ability to enjoy watching football the year after Geelong lost a Grand Final. I am still not over it. It’s 2020.
1 point (wild card)- the guy who looked like Captain Snooze who tried to take my parking spot last Tuesday that I had been rightfully and patiently waiting for, for 5 minutes, before he decided to try and claim it from the front of the departing car. Key word- the guy that tried to take my parking spot.
Let me know who you would nominate for eviction from your reality and why!
Nicole x
Comments