Big Brother: Best Episodes Ever

[Ja'moke]

Big Brother has returned to its original home of Channel 4 (well E4) for some best episode ever specials for the 20th anniversary.

Starting with the Nasty Nick episode tonight. It's crazy to think how huge this episode became when it seems so trivial and innocent now. "Showing peoples names." But that's the moment I first remember hearing about Big Brother and when it went from weird new show to cultural phenomenon.

I miss BBUK sometimes, so going to enjoy watching these back. A different episode each night this week.

[Deanjam]

Big Brother has returned to its original home of Channel 4 (well E4) for some best episode ever specials for the 20th anniversary.

Starting with the Nasty Nick episode tonight. It's crazy to think how huge this episode became when it seems so trivial and innocent now. "Showing peoples names." But that's the moment I first remember hearing about Big Brother and when it went from weird new show to cultural phenomenon.

I do remember Craig's emphasis on the word cunt. Also he gave his winnings to a girl with down syndrome didn't he? So she could get an operation in the US. Good man.

Its funny. I did a tweet along to an old Most Haunted on Friday, and it made me think of Big Brother too. I used to watch both these shows avidly. I don't think I'd care for either show now, but they suited me then. Looking back, my favourite series was number 3. Still at the time of striking a balance between genuine people and strange nuttiness. The later shows became too much of a freakshow for my tastes.

[up_the_hampipe]

It was really fascinating to see the Nasty Nick saga play out in full. Obviously it seems so silly now, but in the confines of that house it's the biggest thing ever. Also the terror of what he'll face on the outside, a reminder of the really cruel, tabloid driven nature of that time. One thing that struck me on this that I hadn't remembered was the long, blank-faced eye contact Nick would hold with people. Regardless of what he did, he was an old fella.

They're showing Chantelle's "fake celebrity" mission from CBB4 tomorrow night. An excellent series, although an interesting choice for them to show an episode with Barrymore involved. Wonderful to revisit these, I do miss the show. C5 did some brilliant work with it as well, but they will probably be forgotten in this Channel 4 lead retrospective.

[bgmnts]

This is like watching "Top 20 poos in pub toilets".

[Ja'moke]

This is like watching "Top 20 poos in pub toilets".

You're a poo in a pub toilet.

[the science eel]

I want to see Angie Bowie causing wailing and weeping with her whispered 'David's dead' again. Was that on BB? Honestly one of the funniest things I have ever seen on TV.

[Emma Raducanu]

I used to love the opening night and following the reactions to them entering the house one by one, on here. My niece says that Love Island on ITV2 is like the start of summer for her. I roll my eyes but I think BB felt the same for me. So many of my memories of the show are entwined with those summer months in my youth. I love the hazy nostalgia I have for the show (bare in mind I haven't watched it since about 2010)

There were a few series, where I'd watch the live feed for hours until the sun came up, just laid out in my room with a lava lamp, aphex twin playing and the kettle boiling every 45 minutes. Simpler times. It's mental how invested in it I was once upon a time but as shit as it is (was), I've never paid as much attention to television since, which is a good thing really.

[Captain Z]

It's amazing not only how seriously they took this, but that they actually just sat down and had such a lengthy, civilised discussion about it. Not just unthinkable in Big Brother today, but maybe even in society today.

[Ja'moke]

I want to see Angie Bowie causing wailing and weeping with her whispered 'David's dead' again. Was that on BB? Honestly one of the funniest things I have ever seen on TV.

Yep! Channel 5 era CBB. One of the most perfect 10-15 minutes of TV to ever exist.

[Emma Raducanu]

I just watched the clip..Why would she think someone in the house was dead?

[Ja'moke]

I just watched the clip..Why would she think someone in the house was dead?

David Gest was one of the housemates in that series and he'd been sick for a few days. At this point, he was spending the day in bed to recover.

Angie was called to the Diary Room to be informed David Bowie had died. She returned to the house and told Tiffany that "David's dead," jesus I'm laughing again just typing it out, haha. Tiffany had no idea that Angie meant David Bowie, why would she? She assumed she meant their housemate, David Gest, who had been sick. Hysteria ensued.

[the science eel]

I just watched the clip..Why would she think someone in the house was dead?

The housemate's name was also David (Gest) so she assumed Angie was talking about him - especially with all the 'please keep this to yourself....I have some terrible news' preamble.

[Captain Z]

I just watched the clip..Why would she think someone in the house was dead?

Edit: Ja'moke explained it better.

He did actually die just a matter of weeks later.

[Ja'moke]

Edit: Ja'moke explained it better.

He did actually die just a matter of weeks later.

Not in the house, though, just to make that clear.

[Captain Z]

It is one of my favourite comedy moments of the last decade, you really couldn't script a better escalation of a misunderstanding in a sitcom. Unfortunately I wasn't watching the whole series but I happened to venture into the BB thread on here the day after it happened, so watched on catchup. I do get annoyed by Daniella Westbrook's confident "Well David Bowie ain't dead". Literally the point of BB is to be isolated from the outside world, how would you know?

[Captain Z]

It is one of my favourite comedy moments of the last decade

The misunderstanding, I mean, not David Gest dying.

[Ja'moke]

That was a great series. Tiffany should have won.

[Utter Shit]

It's amazing not only how seriously they took this, but that they actually just sat down and had such a lengthy, civilised discussion about it. Not just unthinkable in Big Brother today, but maybe even in society today.

Yeah, this struck me as well. While they were all angry and hurt by what he did, they also treated him fairly - they gave him plenty of time to explain himself, and then once he owned up they didn't keep pushing the issue. In later series - and, as you say, in society today (just look at Twitter pile-ons) - that same situation plays out with everyone continuing to slaughter him until their thirst for justice is sated...I think Jon Ronson explained it as people not wanting the apology, but the superiority of forcing someone to apologise. In that house, they just wanted the apology, and no one seemed interested in making him feel any worse than they already had done. And then the sweet young girl Mel took time out not only to make sure that he was ok, but presciently try to convince him to stay because if he left then that would be his defining moment and the tabloids would make his life hell.

[confettiinmyhair]

Big Brother's early series also were more gameshow than Reality TV. In the early series contestants seemed keen to participate and aim to win the cash prize at the end. Few were angling fame or a reality career. I think that came about through Jade Goody. She blazed a trail for the Gemma Collin's of this world.

Now participating in Love Island is a gateway to a three to five year window of opportunity. The Circle has been the only show in recent times that has captured my attention like the first five series of Big Brother.

[Uncle TechTip]

Yeah, this struck me as well. While they were all angry and hurt by what he did, they alsoAnd then the sweet young girl Mel took time out not only to make sure that he was ok, but presciently try to convince him to stay because if he left then that would be his defining moment and the tabloids would make his life hell.

She was wonderful, wasn't she. I had a massive crush on her 20 years ago and it all came flooding back. Such strength of character, even though she'd been lied to, to go and comfort him. I wonder what she does now. Hopefully being a fantastic leader somewhere.

[Ja'moke]

She was wonderful, wasn't she. I had a massive crush on her 20 years ago and it all came flooding back. Such strength of character, even though she'd been lied to, to go and comfort him. I wonder what she does now. Hopefully being a fantastic leader somewhere.

Fourth place contestant Melanie managed to escape nomination right until the final stages, when everyone heard Darren nominate her!

There was a Big Brother love-in when Melanie later got together with Big Brother 3's Alex Sibley, with the pair an item for three years.

She is now on a career break and looks after her son, Otis, with her boyfriend Glenn.

[wooders1978]

I'm surprised it's only 20 years ago - clue have sworn it was mid 90s ish

[up_the_hampipe]

Big Brother's early series also were more gameshow than Reality TV. In the early series contestants seemed keen to participate and aim to win the cash prize at the end. Few were angling fame or a reality career. I think that came about through Jade Goody. She blazed a trail for the Gemma Collin's of this world.

I think it circled back to more game show than reality show though. Around series 9 or 10, the show's popularity had dipped to where everyone knew that the show couldn't really make anyone famous.

Big Brother dying out while shows like I'm A Celeb, The X Factor, Strictly and so on continued to thrive was always baffling to me. BB was much stronger than all of them.

[Bazooka]

Big Brother has returned to its original home of Channel 4 (well E4) for some best episode ever specials for the 20th anniversary.

Starting with the Nasty Nick episode tonight. It's crazy to think how huge this episode became when it seems so trivial and innocent now. "Showing peoples names." But that's the moment I first remember hearing about Big Brother and when it went from weird new show to cultural phenomenon.

I miss BBUK sometimes, so going to enjoy watching these back. A different episode each night this week.

I just remember I think Darren was his name, saying to Nick, "that's sick, you are sick" about it all, I don't know if it would upset me if I was in there hearing his fake dead girlfriend story, but yeah it was big news.

[Custard]

My favourite series was 5, with Ahmed throwing plates, Fight Night, etc etc. Every series after just seemed to be trying to recreate it, but it was the perfect storm. Of twats

[up_the_hampipe]

My favourite series was 5, with Ahmed throwing plates, Fight Night, etc etc. Every series after just seemed to be trying to recreate it, but it was the perfect storm. Of twats

Series 9 had a decent Fight Night sequel. Not quite as entertaining, more deeply troubling.

[A Hat Like That]

[ImmaculateClump]

That episode where Anthony had been drinking all day and was overheating in the wetsuit throwing up.
Hahaha, genuinely laughing just thinking about it, the culmination of that gay lads creepy stalking, it all came together in that one episode.
They have to show that one.
Aw man, when big brother was good, it was fucking brilliant.

[Lisa Jesusandmarychain]

She was wonderful, wasn't she. I had a massive crush on her 20 years ago and it all came flooding back. Such strength of character, even though she'd been lied to, to go and comfort him. I wonder what she does now. Hopefully being a fantastic leader somewhere.

Think she got into the porn industry, specialising in scat flicks.

[Dr Rock]

I liked the series with Jade, Spencer and Kate Lawler the most. Can't think of a particular episode. Hope that helps.