Friday Flashback: Big Brother Top 10 contestants
Who were the most entertaining, memorable housemates across BB's 11 seasons?
- Published by David Knox
- on
Reggie Bird 2003
Ahead of Monday’s return of Big Brother it seems timely to look back on the ground-breaking series which screened on 10 from 2001 – 2008 and was rebooted on Nine from 2012 – 2014.
Drawing up a list of 10 top contestants was not easy. Rather than simply rehash the winners, I’ve chosen them for their entertainment value. Some are chosen for their personalities, some for what they contributed as deception, romance, intellect or even a memorable eviction. There were lots of runners-up (and I’ve pushed things to 12 people anyway!), I would have liked to include.
Some clips are lengthy so I have cued up for your consideration (warning: may include nude bits / language!).
Here they are in no particular order….
Sara-Marie Fedele 2001
“Farmer” Dave Graham 2006
Ben Zabel 2013
Chrissie Swan 2003
David & Greg Logan 2005
Vesna Tosevska 2005
Tim Brunero 2005
Jess & Marty 2002
Merlin Luck 2004
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20 Responses
No Reggie? She was top 2 for me.
First one named.
Classic memories. God I remember watching update live..
I went to a few live evictions including when Reggie won and it was such a great atmosphere. Mind you, the real star of BB is Mike Goldman. During the live shows Gretel never interacted with the crowd, not even a hello or eye contact unless the cameras were rolling, whereas Mike was constantly hyping up the crowd and talking to people. And my favourite moment from all the seasons were the Logan twins swapping – very compelling television!
I think Gretels lack of audience interaction was due to her needing to stay in the zone. She was brilliant at hosting a very high pressure live show. I was at Dreamworld with my niece in the daytime, and we saw Gretel behind the stage area. My niece became very excited and called out Gretels name, and Gretel came over and chatted with us for five minutes. She was so lovely, and I admire her work to this day 😊
During the ad breaks it is highly likely she had producers talking in her ear. It was often two hours of high pressure live TV, which as she demonstrated during Merlin’s protest, she was exceptional at.
I’ve been in the audience at The Project twice when she was on the panel. Both times she interacted with the audience while the recorded segments played, the ad breaks and after the show. She was very friendly and chatty.
I had completely forgotten about Farmer Dave coming out, yet I do remember the “Turkey Slap” incident from the same season.
I saw Reggie up at my local shops a couple of days ago. I felt like asking her what she thought of the looks of new BB but it’s not my style to do that so I just smiled at her.
I’m sure she would have told you her thoughts! She’s actually really involved with Big Brother and has been interviewed many times about this new series
She would of said hi for sure and would of loved to have talked about it
Chrissie Swan was one of my favourites in BB. Although my fondest memory of her in BB, which I’ve never seen since, was one night they were doing fancy dress or something, and she’s put on the big Cher wig and starts singing If I Could Turn Back Time. She was a cack.
Two contestants stand out for me when I think of Big Brother; Sara-Marie and Reggie. Down to Earth, caring housemates.
Fantastic picks — really highlights how great a show it was in its heyday. I think we’ve lost some of that individuality on shows which are produced in the age of social media. I so want this new series to be good but nothing about it looks promising.
If anyone needs any proof of the astonishing hosting abilities and talent of Gretel Killeen than one just needs to watch her handling of the Merlin situation in which she needed to field some very tense moments and keep a huge juggernaut of a live show on track. Her amazing skills at always controlling the crowd without coming across as a mother chastising the kids and keeping incredibly calm during some immense pressure from all areas during that particular eviction is stuff of Aussie TV folklore in my opinion… and who do we get for the revived Big Brother on seven? Sonia Kruger…? Ok….
Agree re: Gretel. She was a legend that night. I can just imagine all the screaming going on in her earpiece while she’s keeping the show going without barely batting an eyelid
It is rumored that Gretel Killeen was offered the role but said no after discovering the format.
I don’t doubt it.
I’ve said no after discovering the format too
There was a season in 2008 on 10, hosted by Kyle and Jackie O – arguably the worst season to date.
You’re right on both counts…. still 11 all up.
You two clearly forgot 2014, 2008 wasn’t that bad.