However, I’ve noticed a distinct lack of middle aged housemates on my favourite reality show.
The oldest housemates in 2014 are Cat, a midwife, and David, a radiographer, both 31.
Over the years, only a handful of people over the age of 35 have made the cut – including one in her 40’s, and two aged 51 (Terri Munro actually went on to win Season 8!).
Which begs the question: Why doesn’t Big Brother have any middle aged housemates?!
According to the Big Brother website, contestants must be 18 at the time of audition – but there is no upper age limit. So it’s not that middle aged people aren’t allowed to apply.
Maybe it’s because we have too much common sense to not many apply in the first place?
I don’t know about you, but the thought of limited food rations and nothing to read would drive me absolutely bonkers (maybe that’s why half the housemates are?!). Not too mention how constipated I would get, suffering performance anxiety with cameras even in the toilet!
Maybe middle aged entrants aren’t picked because they are more likely to be in a stable, committed relationship which tends to rule out the potential for cosy coupling – not that it ever stops it: take Cat and Lawson (who has a girlfriend on the outside); and Drew and Tully (who had a female partner when she entered the house).
It could be that middle aged men and women are mostly in the thick of raising children, and are put off by the thought of spending weeks away from their beloved families.
Maybe middle aged folk have reached a point in their lives and careers where they would actually be – shock, horror – embarrassed to be famous for doing nothing.
Or perhaps producers think middle aged people are just not good looking enough, to attract a television audience? This would be hypocritical to say the least – after all, host Sonia Kruger is 49! And don’t forget the myriad of TV and movie stars that are past 40 but still have major box office power.
So I asked Miss 17, the fount of all wisdom (in our house anyway, according to her 😉 ). Her response:
“It’s because middle aged people are more mature and don’t get into all the drama, gossiping and back-stabbing that the younger ones do”. (I’m glad she has such a lovely opinion of us oldies; let’s not disillusion her hey?!)
Would you ever go on Big Brother? What do you think is the reason behind the lack of middle aged housemates?!
Linking up with My Home Truths for I Must Confess and the Laugh Link crew:
Have A Laugh On Me | Melbourne Mum | Talking Frankly | 26 Years and Counting