Mel Tracina's debut as host of the revived Big Brother Australia on Channel 10 has been described as a 'baptism by fire', with the presenter contending with extreme weather and the fallout from network budget cuts.
A Host Soaked to the Bone
According to production sources speaking to New Idea, the harsh Queensland climate has severely impacted filming. Mel has weathered Queensland's wildest storms this season, literally, one insider revealed, noting she has been 'drenched, blown sideways, and pushed to keep the energy high' even when conditions were nearly unsafe.
Viewers have witnessed the chaotic scenes firsthand, with broadcasts showing Tracina and live audiences clinging to umbrellas and being soaked by relentless rain. Despite maintaining a professional front, those on set reported that the relentless conditions left the host visibly 'exhausted'.
Budget Cuts and a Costly Gamble
The problems extend beyond the weather. Tracina herself addressed the show's rocky start in November, confirming that Channel Ten's budget cuts had a direct impact on production. In a wry comment during an episode last month, she joked about the irony of moving to 'sunny Queensland' to save money during the cost-of-living crisis, only to end up spending $50,000 on ponchos for the crew and audience.
This revelation followed an exclusive Daily Mail report which detailed how chaos erupted due to a lack of proper roofing on the outdoor set. Insiders claimed producers Endemol Shine decided against building adequate shelter to cut costs. 'They were trying to save money wherever they could,' a source stated, adding that the decision ultimately 'cost them the entire night's shoot' when a severe storm hit.
The Night the Launch Was Abandoned
The premiere episode was particularly disastrous. With lightning moving closer to the location, staff made urgent attempts to keep spectators in place, but most fled. Equipment was damaged by the rain, and the event's energy dissolved. 'They had to call it off halfway through because the storm got too dangerous,' a crew member explained. 'There was no proper roofing over the stage, and with that much lightning around, it just wasn't worth the risk.'
Another source summarised the mood, saying: 'Everyone had been working around the clock to pull this launch off, and then the weather just killed it.'
Through it all, Mel Tracina has soldiered on, seen on stage in a clear raincoat and hiding under an umbrella during the worst of the weather. Her experience highlights the unpredictable challenges of live television production, especially when ambitious projects face significant financial constraints.
