Who is being represented? By who? How?

At the beginning of each big brother series a group of around 17 people enter the big brother house. These “every day” people range from what the big brother philosophy claims to be a vast and diverse range of cultures, lifestyles, ages etc. However in the 2012 summer channel 5 series a different group of people were presented to us. Representing a very narrow image of todays population with only 3 out of 17 contestants being from a non-Caucasian background. 6 out of 17 contestants being aged 25 and over. The vast amount of contestants within the house have a modeling background and have very little educational values.

Thus representing a highly narrow and incorrect view of today’s multi-cultural society. The show also represents the value that in order to be interesting to the public eye obtaining a positive visual image (being beautiful , in shape etc) is very important which to be honest is quite obviously presented to us through each of the 17 contestants.

I personally see this series of big brother as representing a very middle classed white Britain , latching on to stereotypes of the Essex and Chelsea lifestyle through characters such as Ashleigh and Caroline.

Propp’s character theory can be applied to the representations being put forth by Big Brother. Contestants such as Deena are immediately represented as being the villain due to her materialistic values , this representation is soon enforced further through the conflict between herself and Connor – who I believe is represented to be the Hero as a very much stereotypical mans man. Although on the outside world somebody like Sara would be perceived as the Princess I don’t feel that Big Brother really presents any kind of strong representation of a ‘princess’ this series.

Due to the reality element of the text I have chosen as far as the representation of individuals go I would have to say they were fair. However as I have said before I do not feel this is a fair representation of today’s society due to the restricted variation in characters.