Big Brother VIP (Albanian TV series)

Albanian reality competition and TV series

This article is about the Albanian edition. For other editions, see Celebrity Big Brother. For the regular edition of the series, see Big Brother Albania. For the upcoming season, see Big Brother VIP (Albanian season 3).

Big Brother VIP

Genre| Reality competition
Based on| Big Brother
by John de Mol
Directed by|

* Eduart Grishaj (2021-2023)
* Ergys Lubonja (2024-)

Presented by|

* Arbana Osmani
* Ledion Liço

Country of origin| Albania
Original language| Albanian
No. of seasons| 2
No. of episodes| 305
Production
Executive producers|

* Lori Hoxha
* Sara Hoxha

Camera setup| Multi-camera
Production company| Banijay
Original release
Network| Top Channel
Release| 5 October 2021 (2021-10-05) –
present
Related
Big Brother Albania
Big Brother VIP – Fans' Club

Big Brother VIP, also known as Big Brother VIP Albania, is a reality competition and television series of the Albanian adaptation of Big Brother Albania, both based on the Dutch reality competition franchise Big Brother and created by producer John de Mol.[1] The Albanian edition of Celebrity Big Brother, it began airing on 5 October 2021 on Top Channel.[2] The series follows a number of celebrity contestants, known as housemates, who are isolated from the outside world for an extended period of time in a custom built house. Each week, one of the housemates is evicted by a public vote, with the last housemate remaining winning a cash prize of €100,000.

The programme was initially presented by Arbana Osmani for the first two seasons. Osmani declined to return as presenter on the third season, and the role was taken up by Ledion Liço.[3]

Unlike the original version, the live shows or live eviction shows were seen every Tuesday and Friday (season 1) or every Tuesday and Saturday (since season 2) on Top Channel. Also in the same channel, from Monday to Saturday on afternoon was seen the daily summary, for one hour. Like the original version, every Sunday was covered in a spin-off series with the name Big Brother VIP – Fans' Club. After the final of each season, was broadcast the reunion show, Post Big Brother VIP. Since season 2, was introduced the Big Brother radio show, with the name Big Brother Radio and was broadcast on Top Albania Radio and on My Music. The viewers can watch for the whole season live from the house in two live pay-per-view channels, with the name Big Brother VIP 1 and Big Brother VIP 2, which are available on Albanian TV platform DigitAlb.

Due to satisfactory ratings of the first season, Top Channel announced a second season of Big Brother VIP, which began on 24 December 2022.[4] The show was renewed for a third season in May 2023 and will begin airing on 13 January 2024 on Top Channel.[5]

## History[edit]

In September 2017, it was rumored that Top Channel had decided to start the celebrity version after the success of the original version.[6] The celebrity version of the show was expected to start during the 2017–2018 television season.[7] The show was confirmed for its first season in early January 2018 with a trailer along with the renewals of The Voice Kids.[8] The first trailer of the show premiered on 29 January 2018 and read "...It's hard, being a VIP! They deserve to relax! And where is the VIP resort?! Big Brother Vip ... coming soon only on Top Channel."[9] In 2019, Top Channel announced that Big Brother would come back for the 2019–2020 television season in Albania, but they didn't say if will be an original or a celebrity version.[10][11]

However, plans for production were never officially released until 2021, where on 17 May 2021, Top Channel announced that the season would air later in the year, after a four-year hiatus from the original version. They also announced that applications were open to all Albanian celebrities.[12] On 12 August 2021, Top Channel confirmed that the season would air in October 2021.[13] Top Channel released in August 2021, a trailer and read "We have been told that you miss him." and at the end of the trailer we hear Arbana Osmani telling "Returns soon on Top Channel.".[14] On 30 September 2021, Top Channel announced that the show will begin airing on 5 October 2021.[2] The show was originally scheduled to last 100 days, with the finale on 11 January 2022. However, due to satisfactory ratings, the show was extended by over one month, making it 137 days long and with the finale on 18 February 2022.[15]

Due to satisfactory ratings of the first season, it was announced a second season of Big Brother VIP, by the executive producers, Lori Hoxha and Sara Hoxha.[16] On 24 December 2022, the second season began airing.[17][18] On 25 March 2023, Arbana Osmani announced that the show was originally scheduled to last 100 days, with the finale on 1 April 2023. However, due to satisfactory ratings, the show was extended by over one month, making it 134 days long and with the finale on 6 May 2023.[19]

In May 2023, the executive producer, Sara Hoxha announced on her Instagram account, that the third season of the show will begin on Top Channel.[20] On 30 November 2023, it was announced that the show will return, with the third season, on 2024.[21] One day later, Top Channel aired a teaser trailer during the ninth episode of the ninth season of Dancing with the Stars, officially confirming that the series would return for a new season in January 2024 on Top Channel.[22] On 29 December 2023, Top Channel released a thirty seconds teaser featuring some eyes and read "Everyone Housemates except for one" and then features, the new host Ledion Liço, who says "And these others, who are they?" and at the end we hear "Find out from 13 January only on Top Channel".[23] On 9 January 2024, it was announced that the new Director will be Ergys Lubonja.[24]

## Format[edit]

Big Brother VIP is a game show in which a group of celebrity contestants, referred to as housemates, live in isolation from the outside world in a custom built "house", constantly under video surveillance. Access to television, the Internet, print media, and time is prohibited. In addition, the housemates live in complete confinement; they have no access to the outside world. Sometimes the viewers votes for their favorite housemates, and the housemates with the most votes had immunity. Also sometimes the housemates votes for their favorite housemate of house, and the housemate with the most votes had immunity. At least once a week, the housemates secretly nominate two housemates they wish to face a public vote to evict. The two or more housemates with the most votes face the public vote. The viewing public decides which of them gets evicted through text message votes or phone calls. The nominee with the most votes is evicted and leaves the house. Should their stay inside the house become difficult for them to bear, a housemate is allowed to voluntarily leave at any time during the game. In the event of a withdrawal from the house, a replacement housemate usually enters in their place. In the final week of each season, the viewers vote for which of the remaining people in the house should win the prize money of €100,000 and be crowned the winner of Big Brother VIP.

During their time in the house, housemates are given weekly tasks to perform. The housemates wager a portion of their weekly shopping budget on the task, and either win double their wagered fund or lose the wagered fund depending on their performance in the task. The housemates are required to work as a group to complete their tasks, with the format of the tasks varying based on the number of remaining housemates. The housemates are forbidden from discussing nominations, and doing so could result in punishment. The format of the series is mainly seen as a social experiment, and requires housemates to interact with others who may have differing ideals, beliefs, and prejudices. Housemates are also required to make visits to the diary room during their stay in the house, where they are able to share their thoughts and feelings on their fellow housemates and the game.

A new twist to change the format of the game was featured, this was the Pandora's Box. The twist sees a housemate being tempted by the box, and can choose to either open the box or leave it. Should a Housemate choose to open Pandora's Box, both good and bad consequences could be unleashed into the house, which impacts every Housemate in-game including the person who opens it. Another twist was the Power of Veto, like in the American format, a housemate can win the Power of Veto. The winner of the Veto competition wins the right to either revoke the nomination of one of the nominated housemates or leave them as is.

## Cast[edit]

Several presenters were rumored to be hosting the show once Top Channel announced the show. Arbana Osmani, who also has hosted the original version, was rumored to be the host of the show. The host of the eighth season of the original version Ledion Liço, was also rumored to be the host. Another host from Top Channel was rumored as the host of the show, Luana Vjollca.[25] On 17 August 2021, Arbana Osmani announced on her Instagram account that she will be the presenter of the show.[26] Like in the original version, also in the celebrity version would have two Opinionists in the live shows. On 4 October 2021, it was announced that Arbër Hajdari and Balina Bodinaku would be the two Opinionists.[27][28] Before the premiere of the second season, it was announced that Arbër Hajdari would be return as the opinionist.[29] During the launch show, of the second season, it was announced that Zhaklin Lekatari would be the new opinionist.[30] It was rumored that maybe Osmani will not be the presenter for the third season.[31] Later, it was rumored that Bora Zemani, who hosts also on Top Channel the show Dancing with the Stars, will be hosting the third season of Big Brother VIP.[32] It was also rumored that Ledion Liço will host the season.[33] In November 2023, Osmani on her social network Instagram has posted a photo as she is seen in the premises of Top Channel getting ready, but it was not announced if she will host the third season.[34] On 29 December 2023, Top Channel announced that the host of the third season will be Ledion Liço.[35] On 8 January 2023, Top Channel announced that Hajdari will be returning for his third season as a opinionist.[36] It was also announced that the new opinionist will be Ori Nebijaj.[37]

Big Brother VIP Cast  Season  | Presenter  | Opinionist

|
|

1 | Arbana Osmani | Arbër Hajdari  | Balina Bodinaku
2 | Zhaklin Lekatari
3 | Ledion Liço | Ori Nebijaj

## Location[edit]

The house of Big Brother is always one of the most discussed topics in Albania before the according season starts. In the original version, the location of the house was always in different locations, like Gërdec and Kashar.

Like in the original version, the housemates live together in the house, where 24 hours a day their every word and every action is recorded by cameras and microphones in all the rooms in the house. For the celebrity version, Top Channel made a new big studio in Tirana with the name Studio Nova for their prime time shows, like Hell's Kitchen Albania, Shiko Kush Luan and other big shows. The house for the Big Brother VIP will also be built there.[38] There is also an auditorium where the live audience shows, such as the eviction and finale episodes, were staged.

## Series overview[edit]

Series| Days| Housemates| Winner| Runner-up| Episodes| Originally aired

|
|
|
|
|
|

First aired| Last aired| Network
1| 137| 30| Ilir Shaqiri| Donald Veshaj| 157| 5 October 2021 (2021-10-05)| 18 February 2022 (2022-02-18)| Top Channel
2| 134| 37| Luiz Ejlli| Krist Aliaj Dragot| 148| 24 December 2022 (2022-12-24)| 6 May 2023 (2023-05-06)
3| TBA| TBA| TBA| TBA| TBA| 13 January 2024 (2024-01-13)| 2024 (2024)

## Companion show[edit]

### Big Brother VIP – Fans' Club[edit]

Main article: Big Brother VIP – Fans' Club

In the original version of Big Brother, was broadcast a spin-off show with the name Big Brother – Fans' Club and also in the celebrity version this show was broadcast with the name Big Brother VIP – Fans' Club.[39] The show premiered on 17 October 2021 and broadcast every Sunday at 12:15 pm, with Dojna Mema as the presenter and Iva Tiço as the opinionist.[40] The show features debates and conversations about the latest goings inside and outside the house with a studio audience and celebrity panel, and with the first eliminated housemate who are usually invited to the studio after leaving. Megi Pojani replaced Mema as the new Fans' Club presenter for season 2 and Ardit Cuni was the new opionist.[41] On the third season, Enxhi Nasufi will be the presenter.[42]

### Post Big Brother VIP[edit]

Like in the original version, one week after the final of the show, was broadcast a reunion show, with the name Post Big Brother VIP, where the housemates will gather all together to discuss what happened inside the house. In the original version the show was broadcast only for one episode, but in the celebrity version the show was broadcast for three episodes (season 1) or for two episodes (since season 2). The show was hosted by Arbana Osmani. The two opinionists for season one were Arbër Hajdari and Balina Bodinaku. Since season two, Hajdari was joined by Zhaklin Lekatari.

Series| Episodes| Originally aired| Big Brother VIP
season

|
|
|

First aired| Last aired
1| 3| 22 February 2022 (2022-02-22)| 1 March 2022 (2022-03-01)| 1
2| 2| 13 May 2023 (2023-05-13)| 20 May 2023 (2023-05-20)| 2

### Big Brother Radio[edit]

Big Brother Radio was introduced for Big Brother VIP 2 as the Big Brother radio show. Hosted by Elona Duro. The show premiered on 13 February 2023 and was broadcast from Mondays to Thursdays and on Saturdays on Top Albania Radio and on My Music and often featured interviews from past housemates and the latest evictee as well as calls from fans.[43]

Series| Episodes| Originally aired| Big Brother VIP
season

|
|
|

First aired| Last aired| Network
1| 58| 13 February 2023 (2023-02-13)| 4 May 2023 (2023-05-04)| Top Albania Radio
My Music| 2

## Reception[edit]

Big Brother Albania is known as the most popular Reality Television Show in Albania. Big Brother VIP also became very popular, few weeks after its premiere. This was reflected on the price businesses had to pay to promote their activity. So, in 2021–2022 television season, Big Brother VIP became the most expensive show to advertise. Thus, one second before the reality show starts broadcasting costs 5700 lek, and during the broadcast, 11,000 ALL.

The third among the most expensive are again two shows related to Big Brother VIP; the first is Big Brother VIP Daily Summary and the second Big Brother VIP – Fans' Club, where every second during the broadcast is paid 4600 ALL.[44]

The finale broke the records, making it the most watched programme in the Albanian TV history. On the night of 18 February, the grand finale's night, the roads in Albania were empty and few days ago, people reserved to watch it out in the city's bars.[45]

Eduart Grishaj, the show's director also said that the votes for the winner, were out of any prediction and broke records.

On the opening of finale's show there was shown a video with some stats as following:

* 525,433.875 views on YouTube
* 1,798,169,951 views on Instagram
* 381.717 Instagram followers

Albania's prime minister, Edi Rama, posted a video from Valbona with Fifi's song "Diell", which was composed inside the Big Brother VIP's house.[46] This song became the most popular at the month of publishing.

Big Brother VIP and Donald Veshaj were among the most searched words on Google for year 2021.

As of 20 July 2022, the video where Donald Veshaj meets and kisses Bora Zemani, counts up to 2,600,000 views on YouTube.

The video where Donald Veshaj kisses singer Beatrix Ramosaj, counts up to 1,500,000 views.

Singer Beatrix Ramosaj was surprised and sent to watch her brother, singer Alban Ramosaj perform in "Festivali i Kenges", the episode reached 1,300,000 views on YouTube, and was considered the best and most emotional surprise in the first edition of Big Brother VIP Albania by fans.

Also, the episode where Fifi faints during the live show counts up to 1,350,000 views.

The official music video of "Me ty", the first known song to be written and recorded inside the "house" of Big Brother VIP, received a milion views on YouTube, 9 hours after its upload.[47]

## Trivia[edit]

* Season 1
* Monika Lubonja & Arjola Demiri were the first players in any Big Brother series around the world to refuse to open Pandora's box, a game of choice used in many other Big Brother formats.
* Einxhel Shkira breaks the record as the player that has received the most nominations (19) in the history of Big Brother.

## References[edit]

1. ^ ""Pranverë" në Top Channel; Sezoni i ri me numrin më të madh të programeve të reja". Top Channel. September 10, 2018.
2. ^ a b "Konfirmohet data! "Big Brother Vip" nis me 5 Tetor!". Top Channel. September 30, 2021.
3. ^ "ZYRTARE! Ledion Liço 'sposton' Arbana Osmanin, prezantohet si moderator i BBVIP3". zeri.mediadesk.ai. December 29, 2023.
4. ^ "Big Brother VIP Albania/ Të shtunën nis në Top Channel 'reality show' me audiencë të jashtëzakonshme". Top Channel. December 19, 2022.
5. ^ "Ne presim finalen e "BBVA2", por Sara Hoxha thotë se shumë shpejt, do të kemi "BBVA3"". Top Channel. May 6, 2023.
6. ^ "Po vjen 'Big Brother' me personazhe VIP". lajmi.net. September 20, 2017.
7. ^ "Big Brother Vip Albania, ja kur do të nisë". Gazeta Shqiptare. January 29, 2018.
8. ^ "Big Brother VIP…së shpejti në Top Channel". Top Channel Albania. January 29, 2018.
9. ^ "Po vjen "Big Brother Vip Albania"". lajmi.net. January 4, 2018.
10. ^ "Zbulohet se a do të nisë Big Brother Vip Albania". Indeks Online. May 15, 2018.
11. ^ "Feston Top Media! Ditëlindja e Tanit shënon nisjen e sezonit të ri televiziv". Top Channel. October 17, 2019.
12. ^ ""Big Brother Vip" vjen në Top Channel/ Së shpejti nisin audicionet për banorët e shtëpisë". Top Channel. May 17, 2021.
13. ^ ""Nuk ka konkurrentë nga Për'puthen"/ Eraldo Rexho: Ja kur nis Big Brother VIP". Top Channel. August 12, 2021.
14. ^ "Së shpejti në @topchannelalbania 👀". instagram. August 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-12-23.
15. ^ "Shtyhet finalja e Big Brother, a do të pranojnë banorët këtë vendim të produksionit?". reporteri.net. December 30, 2021.
16. ^ "Pronarja e Top Channel e konfirmon, do të ketë Big Brother Vip 2". epokaere. 3 February 2022.
17. ^ "Ftesë në 5/ Arbana Osmani zbulon kur do të nisë Big Brother VIP 2, këngëtari tregon cila do jetë një nga banoret". Top Channel. February 22, 2022.
18. ^ "Kur nis Big Brother Vip 2? Lori Hoxha shuan kureshtjen e të gjithëve: Fillon direkt pas…". Top Channel. June 26, 2022.
19. ^ "Zbulohet data e finales së madhe së Big Brother Vip 2". bigbrothervip.top-channel.tv. March 25, 2023.
20. ^ "Sonte finalja e madhe e "BBV2", producentja Sara Hoxha konfirmon edhe "BBV3"!". top-channel.tv. May 6, 2023.
21. ^ "Zyrtare! Ja kur nis "Big Brother Vip 3"".
22. ^ ""Big Brother VIP Albania 3" shumë pranë nisjes! Dritat e shtëpisë më të famshme në Shqipëri do të ndizen në janar".
23. ^ "Zbulohet data kur do të nisë "Big Brother VIP 3"! Shtëpia më e famshme në Shqipëri ndez dritat më…".
24. ^ "Big Brother Vip po vjen! Zbulohet se kush do të jetë regjisori i këtij edicioni!".
25. ^ "Nuk është as Ledioni, as Arbana, ja kush do të jetë moderatore e Big Brother VIP". Info Media Albania. May 15, 2018.
26. ^ "Arbana Osmani confirms the presentation of 'Big Brother VIP': I was as happy as 13 years ago". dailyxing.com. August 17, 2021.
27. ^ "Arbana Osmani zbulon dy opinionistët e "Big Brother VIP Albania"". durreslajm.al. October 4, 2021.
28. ^ "Zbulohen dy emrat e opinionistëv VIP" dy emrat e opinionistëve të "Big Brother VIP"". top-channel.tv. October 5, 2021.
29. ^ "BBV ngre siparin/ Kush i bashkohet Arbër Hajdarit në rolin e opinionistit?". top-channel.tv. December 24, 2022.
30. ^ "BB VIP nis me surpriza, ja kush zë vendin e Balina Bodinakut". top-channel.tv. December 24, 2022.
31. ^ "Big Brother VIP 3 mund të mos e prezantojë Arbana Osmani?".
32. ^ "Bora Zemani moderatore e Big Brother VIP Albania 3? Befason me përgjigjen".
33. ^ "Ekskluzive: "Big Brother VIP 3" mund të mos e prezantojë Arbana Osmani".
34. ^ "Arbana Osmani jep një sinjal se mund të udhëheqë përsëri Big Brother Albania".
35. ^ "Zyrtare!! Merr fund dilema/ "Top Channel" konfirmon se kush do e moderojë BBV3!".
36. ^ "Nis numërimi mbrapsht! Shtëpia e "Big Brother VIP" hap dyert në 13 janar, zbulohen opinionistët".
37. ^ "Deputetja opinioniste në "Big Brother", Ori Nebiaj tregon si e pranoi ftesën e TCH: Po shkoj në Parlamentin që funksionon…".
38. ^ "Studio "Nova", shtëpia e re e "Big Brother" dhe shumë emisioneve të tjera". Top Channel. September 2, 2019.
39. ^ "'Big Brother VIP Fan Club': The start date and the name of the moderator are revealed!". anabelmagazine.com. October 11, 2021.
40. ^ "Dojna Mema, në Big Brother VIP? Moderatorja "merr" një rol të ri". classlifestyle.com. September 27, 2021.
41. ^ "Fan Club Big Brother VIP nis më 8 janar, zbuloni kush do ta moderojë". top-channel.tv. 6 January 2023.
42. ^ "Konfirmohet zyrtarisht moderatorja e edicionit të tretë të "Big Brother Vip Fan Club"!".
43. ^ "Big Brother Radio, nga 13 shkurti në Top Albania Radio…". topalbaniaradio.com. 6 February 2023.
44. ^ "LISTA/ Reklamat në televizionet shqiptare, 'Big Brother VIP' thyen çdo rekord". DOSJA.AL. 2021-10-09. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
45. ^ "Ethet e "Big Brother VIP"/ Rrugët e qyteteve u zbrazën! Lokalet plot për të parë finalen e madhe". top-channel.tv. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
46. ^ Top News-Rama 'fiksohet' me këngën e Fifit/Artistja reagon e entuziasmuar-Jam pa fjalë, retrieved 2022-07-20
47. ^ "Kënga "Me ty" e Luiz Ejllit arrin një milion klikime në vetëm nëntë orë pas publikimit". Epoka e Re (in Albanian). 14 February 2023. Archived from the original on 15 February 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2023.

## External links[edit]

* Official Website - (in Albanian)

* v
* t
* e

Big Brother Albania

Big Brother Albania|

| Seasons|

* 1
* 2
* 3
* 4
* 5
* 6
* 7
* 8
* 9

|

Winners|

* Arbër Çepani
* Qetsor Ferunaj
* Jetmir Salaj
* Ermela Mezuraj
* Arbër Zeka
* Anaid Kaloti
* Nevila Omeri
* Vesel Kurtishaj
* Danjel Dedndreaj & Fotini Derxho

Big Brother VIP|

| Seasons|

* 1
* 2
* 3

|

Winners|

* Ilir Shaqiri
* Luiz Ejlli

Companion shows|

* Big Brother VIP – Fans' Club

* v
* t
* e

Big Brother

Africa|

* Africa
* Angola
* Nigeria
* South Africa
* Titans

Location of different versions of Big Brother.

Americas|

* Argentina
* Brazil
* Canada
* Loft Story
* Quebec
* Célébrités
* Chile
* Colombia
* Ecuador
* Mexico
* Pacific
* Panama
* Peru
* United States
* Celebrity
* Over the Top
* Reindeer Games
* Spanish
* Celebrity Spanish

Asia-Pacific|

* Arab States
* Australia
* Celebrity
* VIP
* China
* India
* Hindi
* Kannada
* Bangla
* Tamil
* Telugu
* Marathi
* Malayalam
* Indonesia
* Israel
* Pakistan
* Philippines
* Thailand
* Vietnam

Europe|

* Albania
* VIP
* Belgium
* Belgium & The Netherlands
* Bulgaria
* Celebrity
* Croatia
* Celebrity
* Czech Republic
* Denmark
* Finland
* France
* Loft Story
* Secret Story
* Germany
* Celebrity
* Greece
* Hungary
* TV2
* RTL II
* Italy
* Celebrity
* Kosovo (VIP)
* Lithuania
* Netherlands
* Secret Story
* Norway
* Poland
* Portugal
* Celebrity
* Secret Story
* VIP
* Romania
* Russia
* Serbia
* Slovakia
* Slovenia
* Spain
* Celebrity
* Secret Story
* Sweden
* Sweden and Norway
* Switzerland
* Turkey
* Ukraine
* United Kingdom
* Celebrity

Virtual|

* Second Life

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*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template