Ok, so I haven't actually watched either series, but compared to the UK version which brings piss up and brewery to mind, here is some quotes form the Aus site and forthcoming US series (live on e4 too)..
BB Aus wrote:
The weeks may be ticking down, but if you think BB2003 is all out of surprises, think again. After two houses, 14 housemates, one shock exit and two replacements, the BB house is about to be thrown its latest surprise - an overseas visitor. Anouska, the first evictee from the UK's freshly launched BB series four, is headed down under to mix things up in our house
OK, the Anouska bit is old news, but TWO houses? At least all the 'surprises' were able to be seen by the Aus viewers. I mean Cameron went to SA, but how did that benefit us, the viewer?
BB USA wrote:
Starting Tuesday, July 8, at 8pm ET/PT, a group of people will live together in a house outfitted with dozens of cameras and microphones recording their every move 24 hours a day. This summer, there’s a surprise twist! The HouseGuests will be stunned to see some of their exes move in as competing HouseGuests. This means that some of the HouseGuests will be living with someone they thought was out of their lives. Will alliances form between the former couples, or will old wounds be reopened?
I like the idea of this, like 24hr Trisha! Once the first goes ex goes in all the others will be paronoid of who they wronged and was coming back! Plus in US there is no public vote, it is all a bit like survivor where they vote each other, publicly.
Thing is, regardless of actual content, the UK version is just too short. There is no chance for anything really watchable, because every week the goalposts change with evictions and tasks, not letting anything really develop (fight OR love). The basic BB concept is dead, and too well known, so more should be made of putting contestants in situations they would not be or want to be in normally, or were expecting. OK the realism goes, but at least I'd talk about it over the water cooler!