Sure, we haven’t heard very much about Big Brother lately. But the classic reality show is still going strong!
If you haven’t heard of this show, be prepared: A bunch of people live in a house together, no one can leave unless they are “evicted” by either their housemates or citizens of the country where the show takes place. But perhaps Big Brother is most famous for the changes and twists that take place — past ones have included splitting the house into good and bad sections, bring back old housemates that had been voted off, and even having a contestant in the house only to mess things up for everyone else (not to actually compete!).
The show originated in The Netherlands, and the fourteenth American season aired last week to high ratings. The Internet seems to have only solidified its popularity (hello, live streams!). It’s gained a diehard audience, and is still covered consistently in tabloid magazines. There are dozens of versions of the show broadcast all over the world, even including a version that takes place on Second Life. The new ABC show The Glass House has been accused of copying Big Brother, which caused a lot of noise from fans!
But the show’s success has come at a cost. Some contestants suffered psychological effects after leaving the show, sometimes to the point where they were afraid to leave their houses. The show’s been accused of being ageist (biased against older people). Offhand comments by a contestant on Britain’s Celebrity Big Brother incited protests and burning of effigies in India. Big Brother Brasil was under fire this year because of an alleged rape that took place between contestants (the accused perpetrator was eventually kicked off the show).
Maybe this show is proof that being watched constantly can drive people crazy. Or maybe it’s a Lady Gaga-esque parable of fame driving people crazy. But no matter what, it’s definitely true that this show changed the landscape of reality television. And it may only get more outrageous over time!
Do you watch Big Brother, Lovelies? What do you like or dislike about the show?
guest
It’s coming back on here in Australia in a couple of weeks.
guest
I haven’t watched an entire episode before; too much drama lol the snippets that I did watch, I just can’t stand it and I had to change the channel
I like watching The Secret Millionaire, which made me cry
I’ve watched a few Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition shows and it also made me cry
I like the new improv comedy show Trust Us With Your Life, which is like the old show, Whose Line Is It Anyway? the episode with serena williams was hilarious. I also like the murder mystery investigation show called Castle
the characters on the Castle show are so adorable and funny unlike these obnoxious reality tv pests
guest
@P0RCELA1N_D0LL@xanga - fully agree with you!! Who’s Line was my all time fav show for years… I also like Hawaii 5-0 and NCIS LA.. I was a BB fan when it started, now its just annoying.
guest
The only thing I liked was the friday night games. (Australia)
guest
We have Big Brother in England and it’s on series 10 now :-/ It was on a main channel for a while now, then it was cancelled, then it was moved onto a less mainstream one. People still watch it but it’s nowhere near as popular as it used to be.
guest
I watch Big Brother is the USA every season. I love it and always have.
guest
I used to love it when it was popular here in 2000 or so. But now I think it’s boring. People eat and have sex and MASTURBATE? …wow.
I also don’t like how they kick each other out, and that sets them under pressure. I feel sorry for the people who do it too, I think most of them are quite desperate.
guest
I try to keep up with Big Brother, but I didn’t have time to tune it to it last year here in the U.S. After watching it so much though, even I feel like I’m constantly being recorded in simple tasks, like brushing my teeth or gossiping with my sisters. Hahaha…