Celebrity Big Bovvered?

More people watched the launch episode of Celebrity Big Brother than last year (around 6m tuned in), but that's not susprising given that this series is being billed as the last one on Channel 4. But given television's ability to taken volte-face decisions, if audience ratings remain high the Celebrity version on the programme may continue.

The line up comprises: 3 actors (including 1 sportsman), 3 groupies (including 1 madam), 3 musicians and a glamour model -- and 0 politicians (this is an election year, after all).

If the series does continue, it would never attract stars of a less tabloid nature: if would be hard to imagine the likes of Kenneth Branagh, Nick Hornby, Mick Jagger, Hugh Grant, Emma Watson, Kylie Minogue, Dawn French, J K Rowling ... it really is all about who needs the publicity/work and who doesn't have a high-profile vehicle to promote (e.g. new book, film, album).

It would be great if a different sort of celebrity tried living the CBB House, as the programme may take on a different character; but there might be more chance of getting this type of guest on a series life the Ruby show, where Ruby Wax chatted intellectually with an eclectic bunch of stars over dinner in a television studio.