Competition reality show franchise Big Brother may be an international phenomenon, but in the year 2001, the format was still fresh. Based on the original Dutch series that aired in 1999, Big Brother Australia fine-tuned the isolated-house concept, with its surveillance cameras and high-tension evictions, over the next few decades. This compilation of Season 1 clips, set to the iconic pulsating theme song, reflects the innocence that existed before the popular shows of the 2000s laid the foundations for reality TV as we know it today.

During this first-ever series, contestants were not used to curated 'storylines' and often wondered aloud what people would find interesting about people hanging out in a house, trying to keep themselves occupied for hours. This high-energy montage captures their restless energy, with shots of contestants swimming, kissing, dancing, working out or having a laugh together. Sparks fly and tears fall with abandon, and the skilful editing of these mundane moments of drama was ultimately what fuelled audience interest. The format eventually became far more heightened, but these clips demonstrate that the appeal is simple: the joy and embarrassment of witnessing human behaviour.

In this compilation, viewers can also spot the ‘Bum Dance' that Sara-Marie Fedele made famous.