http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,26278,23572147-10229,00.html

For many people, the thought of another series of Big Brother fills them with dread…not just because another truckload of L Grade celebrities are to be unleashed on the radar but because water cooler conversation becomes consumed by the characters in the BB Bubble…and nothing else, no matter how hard you try and talk about your little Samantha’s shot at walking a tight rope 400m above the earth without a safety net whilst reciting the Koran backwards, will alter that..

I myself have rarely had the pleasure of sitting down and following the show. Yes, I know I was on it, but it’s as far removed from being a viewer as the experience of a diner and a chef.

So I was keen as to see what the producers were going to bring out for Reality TV junkies this year.

Their catch phrases are certainly sucking me in… and it seems very different to past experiences, having what seems like characters with depth and controversy rather than just good looks and an ability to recite episodes of ‘The Simpsons’.

However, getting my daily fix of news.com.au I was perplexed to see the continuation of rumours that that ratbag with attitude might be on the show.

I hope it is just part of the hype to get people chatting about the show…after all, isn’t the kid under 18… which rules out his participation.

The first housemate revealed has already got me wanting to watch… it’s what BB has needed, a grandma who along with 1 million Australians voted for Pauline Hanson. It’s a viewpoint I think many want to understand…and will do wonders for us getting to know ourselves, which is the value of the show to me.

Ordinary Australians getting to know how other ordinary Australians live…and what makes them make the decisions they do.

For those who loath the show, I am hoping they can see the value in that fact. Think of new Australians…how better to see how we interact with each other than on reality TV.  It may not be perfect, but it goes a long way for those who are wanting to integrate into this country of many segments.

Even with my experience on the show, I had up close viewing of what it was like to live with Aussies from around parts of our society I would never mix with, and my housemates and the public got to know me in the same way.

I’m just a little nervous