Celebrity Big Brother: Producer Interview
January 6, 2005, 4:20:41 AN INTERVIEW WITH EXECUTIVE PRODUCER SHIRLEY JONES who explains more about what viewers can expect from Celebrity Big Brother this year
Shirley Jones is the Executive Producer of Celebrity Big Brother; a role she filled in last summer’s Big Brother 5.
How do you go about recruiting for Celebrity Big Brother?
When we set out to find the housemates for Big Brother 5, we purposely chose 12 personality types who we thought might never have crossed paths before.
We have tried to cast Celebrity Big Brother in much the same way. We have selected eight very different people who are famous for very different reasons. It’s always more difficult with celebrities as you can never be sure who knows who or who may have met but we think they are a very interesting mix.
Why do you think we’re all so fascinated by watching celebrities in the house?
We are used to seeing well-known names on TV or in magazines doing what they’re known best for and usually looking their best. It’s great to see that celebrities can be just like us – that they too have their highs and lows, that they don’t always wake up looking their best, that they have bad habits and annoying traits. We assume that celebrities have it easy and so love to watch them having to endure a bit of hardship.
When it comes to celebrities, we often have preconceived ideas on what they’re going to be like and it’s great to find out whether they’re as we expect them to be or in some cases to find that we were completely wrong.
Is there a different feel working on Celebrity Big Brother from a regular Big Brother?
The majority of those that worked on Big Brother 5 are back to do the celebrity version. Just as in the summer, they will pull out all the stops to make sure we deliver the very best programme we can. There’s a certain type of excitement that comes with the celebrity version because our housemates are well known names and we know what’s in store for them! So it’ll be interesting to see how they cope with what Big Brother throws at them. Having said that, I must add that we’re not expecting an easy ride!
Do you get to have a life at all when filming is going on?
At the moment we’re all working flat out to get the house and tasks ready and to fully prepare ourselves for our new housemates. When the show starts I’m expecting to be living here. I think it’ll be a rollercoaster two weeks and I’ve a feeling the housemates are going to keep us on our toes.
Why do you think celebrities agree to come on the show?
I think to survive the Big Brother experience you really have to enter the house knowing exactly why you’re doing it because that’ll be something you’ll call upon to get you through any tough times. We give all interested parties the same speech regardless of whether they’re auditioning for Big Brother or they’re famous people interested in taking part in the celebrity version.
In that speech we explain the pros and cons of participating in a live show like this. We then ask that they go away and think about it. If they come back and want to do the show then they have their reasons.
For some it is the charity aspect, for others it is a challenge and a bit of fun and for some there may be a career aspect. We don’t ask which it is and they don’t tell!
Who have been your favourite celebrity housemates in the past?
I like anyone who is happy to be themselves – to be annoyed when someone irritates then or to have a laugh if they’re having a good time. I admire anyone who has the balls to stand up to Big Brother. Jack Dee was brilliant because he did both these things. Anyone eccentric or unpredictable makes great viewing because they have the ability to keep surprising the viewer.
Big Brother 5 was a bit more challenging than in previous years. Can we expect more of the same?
The celebrity version will be in a similar vein to Big Brother, and as such will be a great deal tougher than previous celebrity versions.
And Big Brother wouldn’t be Big Brother without a few surprises! Our celebrity housemates are not told anything about the layout of the house; nor are they told anything of Big Brother’s plans.
Some of them saw Big Brother 5 in the summer and have asked that we show some mercy! When it comes to Celebrity Big Brother 3 they may not all be ready for Big Brother but Big Brother is definitely ready for them!
Any clues as to the identities of the Celebrity Housemates?
You’ll have to just wait and see!
Femalefirst
