Viewers baffled as Big Brother accused of ripping off Survivor

Big Brother returned to Aussie screen with a predictable bang on Sunday evening, and a very strange turn of events already has fans talking.

After the show was revived only to be axed more than six years ago, the current season debuted on Sunday evening as the third iteration of the popular reality series.

It looks like the show’s third bid at rating success may be borrowing a page from another Aussie classic reality series’ book however, as the shows bizarre first challenge seemed to go more Survivor than social experiment, challenging housemates to a gruelling physical challenge.

In an odd move from a show renowned for challenging housemates to manipulate basic everyday situations, the first episode saw contestants challenged to a physical challenge that called on them to use momentum and precision to win the top spot.

They were all strapped to a huge swing and made to self-propel themselves upwards in a bid to place a set of five balls on a row of impossible thin stands.

Fans compare new format to Survivor

Fans couldn’t help but wonder if they had switched don the correct show, many pointing out the challenge would have made more sense of Survivor, which was a cult hit earlier this year and not a bad format to emulate for a show trying to find it’s foothold where two series have already failed.

Some were unimpressed with the new-look challenge arguing it made for a cheap knock-off.

Others were fans of the format however, willing to transfer their Survivor enthusiasm to a new, indoor setting.

It seems host Sonia Kruger anticipated the possible backlash, telling Woman’s Day ahead of the series debut that the show would need to adjust its format to suit a new age.

“When Big Brother first started 20 years ago, people were still fascinated with housemates in the kitchen making a sandwich,” she said.

“But our viewing habits have changed and we've put so much into every episode that you'll get more out of it as a viewer.”

With one contestant, Laura, already booted at Tribal Coun... sorry, the elimination, it remains to be seen if the show’s Survivor theme continues.

Big Brother continues Tuesday 7.30 on Channel 7.

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