George Gilbey's transition from ordinary viewer to celebrity contestant may ruin his likability, says Ryan Love
Gogglebox charmed the nation with its simple format; ordinary people watching television. We could all find someone to relate to from grumpy Liverpudlian pensioner Leon Bernicoff and his eye-rolling wife June to the wine-sipping Steph and Dom Parker.
This was the “it could easily be you” mantra served up to the max. So how are
viewers meant to feel when the cast suddenly start embracing their new
found-fame? George Gilbey's decision to enter the Celebrity Big Brother
house could threaten the rapport with viewers that Gogglebox has created
over several series, leaving his place on the sofa in doubt. Can we still
sympathise with the hopeless-in-love thirtysomething wedged between his
mother Linda and step-dad Pete when we've seen him swimming the murky waters
of reality TV all on his own?
George's personality has always shone through on the Channel 4 series. Having
moved back home after the end of a long-term relationship, George's
relationship with Linda and Pete has been a major selling point of his
character. We're all with, cringing as his mum sings along with X Factor's
Sam Bailey.
Out of that environment, will we like the “celebrity” George? He is currently
a favourite to win among the bookies, but time will tell whether viewers
will warm to him. It's a risk that seems all too familiar. From politicians
to directors, rappers to sports stars; sometimes entering the most famous,
and often controversial house in Britain is not a good career move. Unless
you're seeking redemption or a new-found reality career on Channel 5, the
days of potentially reviving your celebrity by going into the Big Brother
compound are long gone.
Who can forget the furore when in 2006, sitting MP George Galloway abandoned
his constituents to act
like a cat, sipping milk from the hands of Rula Lenska? Politicians
going on reality TV is a dangerous game, but they still can't help
themselves. From Nadine
Dorries on ITV's I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! to Penny
Mordaunt flopping off a diving board on Tom Daley's diving
competition Splash!, lessons have not been learned from these misjudged
adventures.
Eyebrows are also raised when Hollywood pays a visit to the house. Just how much can a big-name actor been paid to make the trip? What do they possibly have to gain from mixing with people even the British public would struggle to name on launch night? Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill, Donnie Brasco - did Michael Madsen's CV really need the addition of Big Brother? (He came fourth in the 2009 series.) He answered that question himself when he raged in the diary room: "My dignity is not for sale, not to you, or anyone else at any price."
One thing is for sure; Gogglebox will survive with or without George Gilbey. Whether or not the George we've come to know and love survives the Big Brother experience remains to be seen.
Eyebrows are also raised when Hollywood pays a visit to the house. Just how much can a big-name actor been paid to make the trip? What do they possibly have to gain from mixing with people even the British public would struggle to name on launch night? Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill, Donnie Brasco - did Michael Madsen's CV really need the addition of Big Brother? (He came fourth in the 2009 series.) He answered that question himself when he raged in the diary room: "My dignity is not for sale, not to you, or anyone else at any price."
One thing is for sure; Gogglebox will survive with or without George Gilbey. Whether or not the George we've come to know and love survives the Big Brother experience remains to be seen.
