Belgians Aren’t Waffling Over ‘Big Brother’

Despite its flop last summer on U.S. television, “Big Brother” continues to hold Europeans captive--those in the house and viewers who watch them.

Belgians are producing one of the most popular, and outrageous, versions of the “Big Brother” reality soap, with the antics of a butcher’s wife and suspicions that marijuana was smoked on-camera, attracting record ratings.

Moreover, during the first week, the “Big Brother” Web site crashed because of excessive interest.

In large part, thank Betty. Almost overnight, Betty Van Insberghe, a 24-year-old blond mother of one, became familiar to millions for offering a daily dose of prime-time voyeuristic delight as she undresses, showers and ducks under the blankets--with company.

The edition from Belgium’s Dutch-speaking Flanders is the latest in a global line of 12 “Big Brother” shows that include Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, besides the CBS series in the United States that concluded in September.

“There is a large difference between our show and other versions. . . . We have ideal inhabitants,” said Kristine Van Houte from Kanaal 2 television, which produces the show in Belgium. “It’s not just Betty that’s responsible for the high ratings, it’s all of them, really.”

Everyone, from government ministers to jealous housewives, has tuned in to the goings-on in the “Big Brother” house, in Vilvoorde on the outskirts of Brussels, where 27 cameras, some even in the toilet and shower, capture every detail of life.

One recent Sunday, almost one-third of all televisions in northern Flanders tuned in to the show for Kanaal 2’s highest rating ever. The Web site attracts some 2 million hits a day in a region of 5.8 million people.

Betty’s hometown of 10,000 has had mixed feelings ever since she ran bare-breasted and giggling through the house--a display that goes well beyond the usual fare in an 8:30 p.m. time slot.

For many, she is an embarrassment. For others, she is a source of hometown pride.

The mayor has gone on national television claiming not a single resident is the slightest bit interested in the show and not at all intrigued by Betty.

“That is impossible,” said Martin Vervaeke, barman at Betty’s favorite karaoke bar. “Everyone here is watching behind their drawn curtains.”

Betty’s husband, Marc, is obliged to watch. His Finesse Butcher Shop behind the church has become the town’s meeting place on matters regarding “Big Brother.” Being paraded in front of cameras and writing a daily column has made Marc almost as famous as his wife.

He will have to do without his wife behind the counter for perhaps another five weeks. Participants are eliminated every other week.