Summer is soon coming to an end, as is this year's season of "Big Brother." It's one of the few reality TV shows that only comes once a year, and it's also one of the longest - lasting almost three full months, or twice the length of shows like "Survivor."
For those of you who don't know what "Big Brother" is, it's a reality TV show like "Survivor" or "The Amazing Race," but rather than doing super-adventurous things, a group of around 16 strangers are stuck inside a house with zero privacy and zero contact with the outside world. It's actually based on the idea of "big brother" in George Orwell's novel "1984," and contestants hope to win $500,000 by competing in competitions, surviving the weekly "evictions," and ultimately being chosen by the other houseguests at the finale. (You can also catch up on them online 24/7, and 10/10 would recommend.)
For those of you who are already familiar with the beauty and hilarity that is this masterpiece, here's a list of items that could comprise an unofficial "Big Brother" merch store. Everyone talks about being a "superfan," but do you recognize these iconic items? (Forewarning: there's a few hats.)
1. Judas hat.
Austin Matelson's (season 17) alter-ego "Judas" was a little extra, but not as extra as that memorable top hat.
2. "Petty" hat.
If ever a hat described "Big Brother" contestants, this would be it. Keep rocking the "petty," Alex.
3. Pink hat.
Zach (season 16) wore the pink hat so much, we forgot it was actually Victoria's. She never forgot though (speaking of petty).
4. Cowboy hat.
We've had a lot of cowboys on the show, from this season's Jason, to Beast Mode Cowboy (BB16), to just "Cowboy" (BB5) and more. There seems to be at least one cowboy hat in rotation each season.
5. Sunglasses.
Sunglasses are a must on the "Big Brother" set for many reasons. #1 - To hide your poker face. #2 - Whether it's the sun outside or the harsh studio lights inside, there's no dimming of the lights. #3 - To aid in napping when you aren't allowed to turn off the lights. #4 - Just for style points.
6. Florida Gators shirt.
I'm undecided on whether Zach ever wore another shirt or not.
7. Texas Longhorns cut-out tee.
The same could be said for Matt's Longhorns shirt.
8. "Whistlenut and Ole" shirt.
I'll be honest, I spent the first half of this season trying to figure out Whistlenut and Ole were.
9. Plastic frame glasses.
Whether it's Nicole (BB16, 18), Audrey (BB17), Michelle (BB18), Elena (BB19), Alex (BB19), Vanessa (BB17), Christine (BB16), or Grandma Meg (BB17), it's basically an unspoken rule that female contestants these days must possess some form of plastic-frame glasses to be considered for the show. Yes, it's a trend outside the house, but it definitely seems amplified in the "Big Brother" world - perhaps instigated by Nicole?
10. Sports bra.
Maybe real shirts are for squares, but you know you're going to have to wear that awkward wrap so your microphone will stay on, so doesn't that defeat the whole purpose? Nevertheless, the "Big Brother" ladies continue to wear them.
11. Audrey's blanket and hoodie.
Nothing beat the adrenaline of Audrey totally disappearing for almost a full day in season 17 then returning from the diary room basically as a turtle. All us "live feeders" were going crazy (not as crazy as Audrey apparently), but that pandemonium was hardly even mentioned on the televised shows.
12. Rubber ducky float.
What says #friendship better than the relationship between Paul (BB18, 19) and his inflatable rubber ducky, Pablo?
13. Tutu.
When you get bored with the clothes you brought into the house, you turn to the tutus from the "Bowlarina" competition.
14. Irish Spring.
Half of what makes the live feeds interesting is watching what people do for fun when they don't have technology. Exhibit A? When everyone from season 17 spent their free time making up tongue-in-cheek advertisements for the soap brand Irish Spring. It's the inside joke even the insiders probably don't get.
15. Cat ears.
Alex and Jessica fought over them this year, the Nolan twins shared them in season 17, and they seem very inspired by Frankie's sister. Either way, they've made many an appearance on the show.
16. James' crocs.
Crocs are totally in style - if you're James - and having your girlfriend freeze them obviously means war.
17. Vanessa Rousseau's beanie.
Every poker player has a poker face, but does he or she have a poker beanie?
18. Chilltown shirt.
We all wish we were part of this legendary alliance (BB2, 7), so getting the shirt would be the next best thing.
19. Punishment unitard.
It's not "Big Brother" without some beautiful unitard costumes to win as punishments.
(Top left, bottom left, center, top right, bottom right)
20. Bible.
Everyone can use the Bible, and that holds especially true inside the "Big Brother" house. Whether it is Dan (BB10, 14), Jocasta (BB16), Kevin (BB19), or someone you frankly wouldn't expect to be really into the Bible, at least one person usually brings one into the house.
21. Rachel's hair extensions.
Nobody comes between Rachel (BB12, 13) and her extensions.
22. Judd's bear shirt.
Tees with a landscape of a bear sprawled across the front are all the rage nowadays.
23. Frank's carrot suit.
Half of what made Dan's Funeral so great is the fact that Frank (BB14) was dressed as a carrot at the time.
24. CD recording of Jocasta speaking in tongues.
The Spirit does his most powerful work during a POV comp. Relive this special moment from season 16 again and again for only three easy installments of $9.99.
25. Season 1 metal suitcases.
Before the loungewear and dufflebags, season 1 brought us a cast that looked ready to go to a business meeting with those metal suitcases.
26. "Production" soundboard.
We all know the real stars of the show - production. That's right, those lucky individuals who control the cameras and the soundboard of Executive Producer Don Wollman's voice going, "Please come to the diary room," "Stop that," "You are not allowed to talk about production," "Stop singing," or in special instances, commanding houseguests to move to opposite sides of the house when things get heated. It's that special touch that turns an ordinary reality show into something that really does feel like a George Orwell novel.
What iconic BB items would you include? "Big Brother" airs on CBS Sundays at 8/7c, with the POV (Power-of-Veto) competition Wednesdays at 8/7c and the live eviction Thursdays at 9/8c. The finale is rapidly approaching, so catch up at CBS.com before we're forced to wait another year for its long-anticipated return.
