When someone asks do you watch Big Brother it's one of two reactions you get; "OMG yes what do you think of it last night" or you get "oh no it's not my type of thing" which is fair enough. Everyone is not going to like the same types of shows. But there's a type of snobbery when it comes to Big Brother and especially it's participants.
Now inevitably as it is a reality TV show individuals are chosen as characters and the more outspoken and quirky the better. But many of these housemates genuinely want a career in media and are using this as a stepping-stone to launch or re-launch a career.
When Ryan was evicted from the most recent BBUK, he admitted he has hopes of becoming a television presenter. Rylan Clark-Neal who interviewed him on Bit On The Side began on X Factor, made and name for himself and carved a media career. Granted he is brilliant at his job but would he ever have gotten the chance to show of his presenting skills had he not been known?
My point is that those who want to work in media often spend years trying to knock down doors and get a leg into the industry. It is a famously difficult industry to break into. So why not put yourself out there make a name for yourself, hopefully some money and a career to boot?
Anna Nolan, Brian Dowling, Rylan Clarke-Neal, Olly Murs are just some of the names that went on to have careers in the entertainment industry after reality shows.
Now I know there are those that will say work for it, go to college and study presenting, journalism or acting. But even those who have gone the traditional academic route end up on this 'fast track'. And I can see why people look to reality TV in this day and age as it seems to be what works.
Blame should not be placed at the foot of the contestants but the industry for this reality. Those putting themselves forward are just trying to get ahead in the only way they know how. It is simply the process that works right now.
You have camera time, you have interacted with the public, you have experience behind the scenes in dealing with production staff; it's like a mini crash course in television and all that goes with it.
For producers and future employers it's a really long interview process and getting the publics reactions to individual personalities without having to commit to anything.
I applaud those who have seen how the entry process is working and are willing to put themselves out there. Does the system need to change, probably but in the meantime reality TV is the selection process for many of our future entertainers and presenters.
People might give out and say it's a short cut but why go through the 'correct process' if it is expensive and has a longer path to success? It's not always about working harder but smarter. So maybe the housemates are the smart ones after all.