I Must Confess: I’m a complete Big Brother tragic.
However, I’ve noticed a distinct lack of middle aged housemates on my favourite reality show.
The oldest housemates in 2014 are Cat, a midwife, and David, a radiographer, both 31.
Over the years, only a handful of people over the age of 35 have made the cut – including one in her 40’s, and two aged 51 (Terri Munro actually went on to win Season 8!).
Which begs the question: Why doesn’t Big Brother have any middle aged housemates?!
According to the Big Brother website, contestants must be 18 at the time of audition – but there is no upper age limit. So it’s not that middle aged people aren’t allowed to apply.
Maybe it’s because we have too much common sense to not many apply in the first place?
I don’t know about you, but the thought of limited food rations and nothing to read would drive me absolutely bonkers (maybe that’s why half the housemates are?!). Not too mention how constipated I would get, suffering performance anxiety with cameras even in the toilet!
Maybe middle aged entrants aren’t picked because they are more likely to be in a stable, committed relationship which tends to rule out the potential for cosy coupling – not that it ever stops it: take Cat and Lawson (who has a girlfriend on the outside); and Drew and Tully (who had a female partner when she entered the house).
It could be that middle aged men and women are mostly in the thick of raising children, and are put off by the thought of spending weeks away from their beloved families.
Maybe middle aged folk have reached a point in their lives and careers where they would actually be – shock, horror – embarrassed to be famous for doing nothing.
Or perhaps producers think middle aged people are just not good looking enough, to attract a television audience? This would be hypocritical to say the least – after all, host Sonia Kruger is 49! And don’t forget the myriad of TV and movie stars that are past 40 but still have major box office power.
So I asked Miss 17, the fount of all wisdom (in our house anyway, according to her 😉 ). Her response:
“It’s because middle aged people are more mature and don’t get into all the drama, gossiping and back-stabbing that the younger ones do”. (I’m glad she has such a lovely opinion of us oldies; let’s not disillusion her hey?!)
Would you ever go on Big Brother? What do you think is the reason behind the lack of middle aged housemates?!
Linking up with My Home Truths for I Must Confess and the Laugh Link crew:
Have A Laugh On Me | Melbourne Mum | Talking Frankly | 26 Years and Counting
Vanessa says
I can’t think of anything worse than going on Big Brother. And full disclaimer, I’ve only ever seen the ads but that’s enough for me. I think I would scream to get out within a day.
Ness says
I think it’s because it should really be called Big Brothel. And who wants to watch a couple of oldies having under the doona action? Plus it seems to be a requirement to have six pack abs or be eye candy. I think Miss 17 nailed it. We’d just rather watch the drama at our age than get involved. I watch too! THE SHAME…
Janet Camilleri says
Yay! Glad I’m not the only BB tragic out there 😉 … when people diss it, I just tell them it’s a great sociological experiment!
Kirsty @ My Home Truths says
No I would never go on there but then again I can’t watch it either. Maybe you could lead the way Janet???
Rae Hilhorst says
No way would I ever be seen dead on that reality show, neither can I watch it. I love Miss 17’s words of wisdom x
KezUnprepared says
I think your daughter nailed it! I too am a tragic (probably for this year only as I kind of sort of know one of the contestants). I thought about whether I would fare well on the show and I decided “Hell NO!”
The bitching, the fact that their world becomes so narrow and petty in there, the idea of frolicking around with people who have better bodies than me, all of it – does not appeal! I wouldn’t even be allowed to blog!!
Also, as a mum, I would feel like I was abandoning my responsibilities for reasons I couldn’t personally justify as bettering myself or my family! The mum guilt is big with me!
I do wish sometimes there were more 30ish people to watch, though, I will admit.
Janet Camilleri says
Oooh which contestant do you kind of sort of know?! Miss 17 was very excited about The Bachelor this year, as one of the girls was the older sister of one of her friends!
Raych aka Mystery Case says
I didn’t even know Big Brother was back on. The joys of not watching TV. I think I would be like you in the toilet department. It would be interesting to see how they really choose the participants.
KathyMarris says
We middle-aged people don’t make the cut for Big Brother because we are aren’t good looking enough or interesting enough. We just have better sense! I am very anti reality TV shows and this one is probably one of the bottom dwellers, as far as I’m concerned. I would rather watch paint dry!
Sarah from Creating Contentment says
I’ve never watched big brother. I am interested in other people but feel like they person that each person presents is so unrealistic and yuck.
Mark says
Without doubt they would kick me out after the first week … so a couple of weeks away from work … hmmm I might consider it.
Vicki @ Knocked Up and Abroad says
I dunno. I reckon middle aged types can be excellent at gossip and back stabbing. That can’t be it.
I think middle people have figured out they like a comfortable existence and a decent quality of life. Living off tight rations and being stuck in confinement with ratbags is all very university days to me. I think they’ve figured out or at least have more of an idea about what’s important in life. Spending time with loved ones rather than fame seeking, show offs (strangers at that) is probably not a good use of time. With that said, I think it could make interesting viewing. The mix of teeny bops and the wiser. What do you think?
Janet Camilleri says
It does remind me of high school at times when I watch it! I think if youngies and oldies were in there, it’d probably just create a divide.
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me says
I remember years ago when there were a few older contestants.. but yes there aren’t many now! And I wish what your daughter said was true, sadly middle-age people, especially women can be EXTREMELY bitchy! Thanks for linking, Em x
Janet Camilleri says
I like to think Miss 17’s been exposed to some great role models to have such a positive view of middle aged folk 😉
Tegan says
I was talking with my hairdresser about this and we both said we couldn’t go on it because of the lack of privacy. I wonder then if younger people (not me obviously lol) have less inhibitions so are more willing to give it a go.
Janet Camilleri says
That must be it Tegan, I would be so uncomfortable!
Hugzilla says
I say this every year! Some of the most interesting housemates they’ve ever had were on the “mature” side. Did you see the series of Celebrity Big Brother that had Adriana Xenides on it? She was delightful. Warm, mature, and comfortable speaking her truth but always said with compassion. I would LOVE to see more people with a bit more life experience on there too.
Rita @ The Crafty Expat says
I don’t watch big brother but I think it will be great to have middle aged people on this program to give another perspective on life to this group and a good dose of maturity.
Pinky Poinker says
I don’t watch it because my ears start to bleed when I do. Not that I’m criticising anyone who does watch it. I just hate most reality shows. I think your gorgeous daughter is correct. Us oldies are too sensible and compromising.