Now that Big Brother’s returned for its summer run what does it tell us about the political mind of Britain? Leaders-and deputy leaders-come and go, manifestos get launched,opposition spokesmen are sacked and ministers do u-turns. But it’s the cultural mood which decides whether a party’s time is up or not. Brown’s arrival and Brady’s departure,Blears’s bid and Cooper’s HIPs (deceased) play into that mood and reflect the shifting scene. And reality tv really does tell us what television executives have decided about what the cultural stereotypes should be and how they perform on the scene. BB is a sophisticated show-artful of course in its manipulation of individual likes and dislikes among the contestants-but also clever in its portrayal of what kind of people the British are-or should be.
Which brings me to Lesley-of a certain age (60), a hunter of heads by trade, big in the WI in Gloucestershire, self-confident-but a tad brittle. Also knows the Prince of Wales and his Duchess and has had dinner in Highgrove. Poltical affliliations unknown (so far) but admitted to the BB house as a representative of what the execs have decided is a conservative-minded bit of Britain. Previous mature types on BB have been grotesque divas seeking a career re-launch-so she’s a bit of a mould-breaker in this respect. And being rather gutsy as well as good on putting a show, the crowd decided they liked her. In BB terms she’s an ‘eccentric’-a kind of Margaret Rutherford rediviva. Dot does the same thing in East Enders: ‘heart of gold’, tells it like it is, been round a bit. It’s not exactly Cameronian Conservatism but neither is it smoothly New-ish Labour.
Im worried about Lesley though because of the other cultural stereotypes she’s having to rub shoulders with. Charley is there as a hate object (so will be kept in for quite a while): she’s 23,struts her stuff, wants to meet ‘hot footballers’ and arrives to much booing by the crowd.Laura (aet 23) from the Rhondda valley says food makes her happy-which is just as well since she sweeps leaves in the local graveyard and wants to train as an embalmer. An executive decision here obviously on the effects of 80 years of municipal socialism.
Carole at 53 is frankly terrifying but is Lesley’s most obvious competitor in the ‘mature and much-loved ‘ stakes. She’s a George Galloway peacenik and sexual health worker: the eccentric label though means she’s a firm fave with the crowd. And then there’s Emily who’s quite posh and hates benefit scroungers. At 19 she says she’ll vote Tory at the next election. Into Indie-rock she says-so that’s a good result for the lads in Cameron Towers. What’s more she naughtily says she fancies ‘dirty Pete Doherty types’ and hopes that BB will advance her prospects in that particular department. Also-alas- gives herself ten out of ten for intelligence. A telly exec’s idea therefore of a natural A list Tory candidate under the recent dispensation. Which impression is only confirmed with the revelation of her favourite word: ‘hoodwink.’ Some work left I fear in the cultural reception of Tory England. Keep watching for the contest of the cliches.
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