So, the first day of summer has officially come and gone and with it came the return of one of the best TV shows of all time: "Big Brother." Plus, season 18 is looking like it will be the best yet. If you haven't watched "Big Brother" in the past, make sure that it's on your summer bucket list. Here's why it's a show that you just can't miss
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It is on all of the time.
If you are used to binge-watching shows on Netflix in your spare time, then one episode per week of your favorite TV shows probably isn't cutting it anymore. However, "Big Brother" episodes are on three times per week, so you are always absorbed in the action. If, for some reason, three hours a week still isn't enough for you, you can always sign up for CBS live and watch "Big Brother After Dark." The cameras in the house run 24 hours per day and so does BBAD. No matter what time it is, you can check in on what is happening with your favorite house guests.
The "Showmances"
While the goal of the houseguests is to earn the grand prize, there are always some people who get a little distracted along the way. Some relationships on the show fizzle out once someone is sent home, but others are actually in it for the long haul. Believe it or not, some couples from the show stay in relationships far beyond the summer. A few have even gotten married.
The Competitions
The main part of each episode is some type of competition. The three main types of competitions are HOH, Power of Veto, and Have or Have Not competitions. The HOH is the first of the week, in which the winner ultimately becomes the Head of Household for the week, giving them immunity and the duty of putting two players up for eviction. The Power of Veto then happens after the nomination ceremony, in which the winner can choose to pull someone off of the block, saving them from elimination. Finally, the Have/Have Not Competitions determine which house guests will have to sleep in the uncomfortable Have Not room, eating nothing but slop and which guests will be Haves with their usual amenities. The competitions range from endurance to skill and they sometimes involve trivia about events that have occurred that season. Every competition requires different abilities, so you never know who will win.
The Relatable Houseguests
Every season has a few similar houseguests. Many come from California or New York and they are usually a variety of races, genders, and sexual orientations. With this type of diversity among the houseguests, there is usually a houseguest who any viewer can relate too.
The House
Each year, the house has a different theme. The rooms are decorated differently and the Have Not Room always changes. The House comes with specific amenities every year, including a pool table, a swimming pool, and gym equipment. However, the houseguests and the audience are always excited to see what has changed about the house at the beginning of each season.
The HOH Room
The HOH Room is one of the best parts of the show, in my opinion. Each week, when a player wins the HOH competition, they are allowed to move into the HOH room upstairs. Before entering for the first time, the room is redecorated with pictures of their friends and family, some of their favorite foods, and handwritten letters from their loved ones. This is one of the only times when houseguests are allowed to have any contact with the world outside and it is always emotional.
The Alliances
Every season, people create alliances. Some make it to the end and others come crashing down. It is always interesting to see who is willing to lie and work behind people's backs and who you are able to trust. Some houseguests create alliances on day one and others don't form until much further into the game. Some alliances end up getting voted out. However, at other times, they are able to manipulate the house all the way until the end.
The Jury House
The Jury House is one of the most interesting parts of the show. Once the show gets down to the final nine house guests, each person evicted is sent to the jury house. There, they are still allowed no contact with the outside world and are given updates on the game through DVDs delivered by the evicted houseguest each week. When the game gets down to the final two, it is the role of the Jury to vote for the winner. Sometimes honesty is rewarded and sometimes the biggest liar in the game ends up going home with the prize.
The Twists
Every season, things are mixed up a little bit. Last season's was one of the biggest twists yet, in which one houseguest actually had a twin who was switching places with her every couple of days. However, whether it is extra competitions, working in teams, or multiple evictions, the motto of the show has become, "Expect the unexpected."
The Superfans
With a show that has been running for 18 seasons, there is bound to be a huge following and "Big Brother" definitely has one. Many fans have been watching since the beginning and they seem to know everything about every season. Playing off of this, in recent seasons, veterans of the game have been brought back to play another season in a house full of first timers. However, as they come to learn, the game never goes the same way twice.
