Hi Ellen,

 

I did also say that it's going to be horrible! But, yes, I do think that it could work, in some ways. But, remember, there are two ways of looking at it - one is personally, in terms of what I think "works" and doesn't (for myself), and the other is the bigger commercial picture. 

 

Personally, I couldn't think of anything worse! However, I understand that in looking at who was going to replace Gretel (which was always going to happen), I can see how they arrived at that decision to put Sandilands in there.

 

What I think it is assured of "working" as is the initial interest. It means that the opening night is assured a huge crowd. That's always the first goal of the production, and something they have always been able to do. The first show always has that audience - the problem is, they don't stick around, anymore. What's failed for them is that in creating the hype for the opener, they actually hinder the return rate, because most of those aspects end up being fizzlers. But people will turn up to see what Kylie is like, hosting Big Brother. Aren't you interested? C'mom, admit it, you are! Even if it's out if disgust, you're going to rock up to see what it's like. 

 

The question, then, is will he sustain the show beyond that? It is here where I am more skeptical. I think it's a big risk. Kyle Sandilands is a huge star for the market they now aim that show at. We may loathe him, here, but that man has a huge following, and the white-trash demographic adore the guy. Sad, but true.  He represents them, perfectly. And that's what's so right and so wrong about it. Can you think of another Australian celebrity figure who stands for what we loathe about that show, any more than Kyle Sandilands? I can't. 

 

However, he's never been in this kind of hosting role, so that's the risk. It's not radio jockeying, it's not being on a judging panel; it's standing up, in front of a crowd, and hosting the entire thing. That's a huge step for him, despite all he's done, and who's to say whether it will work or not? We can presume they've done some screen tests, etc - maybe - but it's still a long shot. One wonders if the network are thinking short-term, at the expense of the long-term.

 

It's interesting, too, because Kyle Sandilands did actually have a bad year, last year. I have a feeling (we'll leave it at that) that it was actually the year before, where Sandilands was put on the table as the future of BB. It would have been a better time for him, because what followed, last year, didn't serve him well. And, to be honest, I think it was the Denton interview. I'm not just talking about what it did in terms of Kyle's image, but in terms of what it did to the man, himself. He seemed timid, last year, even conflicted - something was starting to go wrong for Sandilands, and I think it's a personal dynamic for him. He hardly stole the Idol show, he paled next to Dicko, and couldn't cut it (as I said, I'm stunned they kept him over Holden - I would have identified Sandilands as the dead wood, but they are obviously convinced this is his year). So, please don't put me down on record as saying Sandilands is going to revive Big Brother and it's all going to go great guns, I don't think that. 

 

At very least, I do think Kyle Sandilands will provide an interesting subject matter for Eyeonbigbrother! Gretel was certainly fascinating, and I think Kyle will also be, in a different way. I think the main question everyone really wonders is, "How brurtal is this going to get?" He is, after all, known for his brutality. And, to me, the irony is that what went wrong last year was that he lost that, the brutality seemed deflated. Again, I think the Denton thing threw him. But even though, in one way, surely it's good that he's lost that, that is not what he's paid to do as a star, and certainly not what BB are paying him to do. So, to me, his success hangs on providing that car accident that we are supposed to be mesmerised by. We'll see. 

 

Thanks,

Aaron