Big Brother Australia kicked off this week with new hosts, new rules, and a new attitude. This year the Aussie version of the show cast a wider variety of housemates that include a farmer, a grandmother, a midget. They also introduced a casting twist similar to one we would find in the states. Two of the houseguests know each other!

On the launch show the new Big Brother hosts, Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O, introduced the first 14 housemates. Each housemate brought a momento or special item from home and it was placed on a shelf prior to entering the Big Brother house. These items will appear behind a glass wall throughout the game as a temptation to the housemates.

One by one the first 14 housemates entered into the backyard which this year has a very whimsicle feel. There are plastic farm animals in a fenced off part of the yard. The yard also has a large mock dry tundra scene with a tree in the middle. On the tree is a single person swing. The swimming pool in the Big Brother Australia backyard is barely a pool at all. It is an L-shaped pool that is probably 3 feet x 8 feet on each part of the L. next to the pool is a square hot tub. The backyard also has VW minivan that is supposed to serve some purpose later in the series.

After the last of the first 14 entered the backyard Big Brother had a surprising message for them:

“In the House, as in real life, there are things you cannot possibly control,” began Big Brother. “Surprises – good and bad. Your first surprise for Big Brother ’08 is a bad one.

“Every year Housemates spend many days speculating about who will be the first to go. This year Big Brother decided to resolve this issue earlier than usual. A lot earlier.

“Housemates you must decide whose Big Brother experience will be over before it has begun.”

“At sunrise tomorrow there will be an Eviction. One of you must go. You will decide amongst yourselves who that person will be.”

“Housemates, take this decision very seriously,” reminded Big Brother. “It is not a twist. It is real. The House will remain closed until your deliver Big Brother his first evictee.”

“Housemates this is the first of several snap evictions. It will not be the last. Good luck and good night.”

All of the housemates were shocked at the developments. Someone blurted out, “Who doesn’t want to stay?” The housemates gathered around a picnic table in the backyard and began to discuss reasons why they should stay in the game.

Terri
“I feel I deserve to stay in the House because I’m the oldest person that’s entered the House, the first grandmother that’s entered the House, and I think the Australian public deserves to see something a little bit different for more than one night.”

Saxon
“I think I should stay in the House because I got a unique different point of view on things and I can offer some interesting things to talk about in conversations. Plus I do seem to get along with everyone.”

Bianca
“I think it’s important not just for myself – and this might sound like I’m trying to be a preacher – but to show people in Australia that you can be different than a normal, typical, 18 year-old that’s usually stereotyped in our society.”

Nobbi
“I reckon I should stay in the House because I’m a lot of fun and I’ll joke around, stuff around with you guys, and I reckon I’ll bring a bit of energy to the House when everyone’s down and I reckon I get along with you guys anyway.”

Brigitte
“I think I should stay in here because of the same things that he [Nobbi] said. I’m always happy. I want to do the same as Bianca, I wanna show the blonde people in Australia that get [branded] mean because [everyone else] think they’re snobs, [but] that they’re nice and they talk to everyone.”

Travis
“I do, like most of you here, think we’re such a dynamic group of Housemates and I think we’ve all got a point to prove, and stereotypes in society to challenge. But as I said I would really like to win Big Brother to help my Dad out.”

Alice
“My ultimate goal in here is to have an amazing time that is so far fetched from Vet Science and with a bunch of people that are just all up for trying to fit 27 hours into a 24 hour day which I just love the idea of!”

Rory
“I just wanna say it’s a sweet experience to be here and who the hell wants to leave all this in the first night? The reasons for me staying in the House: I’m gonna bring a lot of joy, and controversy and stupidness. I think the House needs it.”

Renee
“I winged it. I came here on a dare, I didn’t think I’d get this far. I live in Dubbo, I play rugby, I live in the sticks, I work at the abbs [abattoir]. I need to know there’s more out there, need a bit of hope for a 22 year-old who’s single and can’t keep a man.”

Rima
“I guess I want to stay in the house because I think you guys think the most interesting thing about me is my height but I reckon when you get to know me that you’ll find out that’s actually the least interesting thing. And that I’ve probably got much more to offer than that.”

Ben
“Like a few others here, I’m here to break the mould and go against stereotypes. I also think I can bring a bit of intellect to the House, I am a law student. That was really arrogant. I’m 19. I’m young. I’m pissed off. I live at home. But yeah, I’d just like to stick it out, to get some revenge on Big Brother after all this crap. I’d like to stick it through guys.”

Dixie
“I think I want to stay in Big Brother because I don’t have a job to go back to. I’m pretty friendly and I think I’m interesting and I like everyone here. I’m entertaining and I’ll put a smile on everyone’s faces. I’m a bit of a prankster. I’m fun and fun-loving and outrageous and I think you’d be silly if you sent me home.”

Rebecca
“I think you guys should keep me in the house because I’m really entertaining and I’m caring and I think that I’ll be a really good shoulder to cry on when people are in arguments or anything like that. I’m really, really good to talk to and I think that I’m the type of person who can be a friend to everyone.”

David
“I’d like to think that I bring a bit of life experience to the table – I am nearly 33, even though no one believes me. You name it I’ve done it. I’ve worked in McDonalds, I’ve been a cop, I’m a fireman, I’ve been married. I think I can be the glue that brings everyone together, where the young meet the old. And I’m a good shoulder to cry on.”

Ten minutes before dawn the housemates began nominating their first person for eviction. Terri, the oldest housemate received the most votes and was immediately evacuated from the house.