‘Big Brother’ Is Coming Back to the U.K., but Can It Really Thrive in Today’s Reality Landscape? (Column)

variety.com:

Scott Bryan In the words of Davina McCall, “fancy another one”?Shortly before announcing this year’s winners of “Love Island” on Monday night, U.K.

broadcaster ITV2 caused goosebumps as they played out the iconic “Big Brother” theme tune while revealing that the iconic reality show is to return for a six-week run in 2023.When you think about it, a “Big Brother” revival makes perfect sense.

I mean, the show has been so significant to the history of British television, from redefining what it means to be a celebrity, to giving viewers the power through a public vote, that it hardly needs any introduction at all.

Even though it hasn’t been on air for the past four years, after being ditched by Channel 5 in 2018, it’s hardly felt like it’s been off air at all thanks to the online generation frequently sharing memories of their favorite scenes (Craig Phillips telling Nasty Nick “you’re plotting a very dirty plan”) to sharing classic memes (Gemma Collins wearing big sunglasses shouting, “I’m Claustrophobic, Darren!”). “Big Brother” was axed, too, not because fans had grown tired of the format; they were simply exhausted by how frequently the series was on air.