What even is the point of Big Brother in 2025?

What Even Is the Point of Big Brother in 2025?

Twenty-four years ago, voyeurism alone was a compelling and unique selling point. Can Big Brother’s return truly succeed today?

Last night, a familiar voice asked, “Are you ready to come home?” This voice belonged to Mike Goldman, the narrator of Big Brother Australia during both its original Channel 10 run and the Channel 9 revival. With this single line, the new edition of Big Brother made its intentions clear: to return to the show’s roots.

Big Brother was once a pop culture sensation in the early 2000s, introducing viewers to memorable moments such as Chrissie Swan, Sara-Marie’s bunny dance, the dancing doona, and the notorious turkey slap.

For a moment in time, Big Brother loomed large in the culture, a chance for everyday TV viewers to tune in for a nightly dose of permitted voyeurism, and get a glimpse of how people behave when they forget they’re being filmed and broadcast to the world.

However, the question remains: can you really go home again?

Big Brother first launched in Australia in 2001, shortly after the format debuted in the Netherlands. The show took its name from the oppressive, totalitarian character in George Orwell’s classic novel 1984.

Author’s Summary

Big Brother’s return aims to revive the early 2000s cultural phenomenon, testing if voyeurism still captivates audiences in 2025.

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The Nightly The Nightly — 2025-11-10

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