What even is the point of Big Brother in 2025?
Twenty-four years ago, voyeurism itself was a unique and compelling selling point for Big Brother. The show’s return raises the question: can it still work today?
Last night, a familiar voice asked, “Are you ready to come home?” This was Mike Goldman, the narrator of Big Brother Australia during its original Channel 10 run and the Channel 9 revival. With that single line, the new season signaled a clear intent to revisit the series at its cultural peak in the early 2000s.
Back then, Big Brother was a pop culture sensation, introducing audiences to memorable moments like Chrissie Swan, Sara-Marie’s bunny dance, the dancing doona, and the infamous turkey slap.
“Are you ready to come home?”
For a time, Big Brother was a major cultural event, offering everyday viewers a nightly dose of sanctioned voyeurism — a chance to witness how people act when they forget the cameras are on.
However, the question remains: can one really go home again?
Big Brother first launched in Australia in 2001, shortly after debuting in the Netherlands. Its name references the oppressive, totalitarian figure from George Orwell’s 1984.
Summary
The new Big Brother aims to recapture the early 2000s cultural impact by revisiting its roots as a voyeuristic reality show, but its relevance in 2025 is uncertain.