Let’s talk about the show "Big Brother." I wouldn’t call myself a huge reality TV fan, but I have found myself sucked in to "The Bachelor" and "Food Network Star" from time to time. However "Big Brother" has become a part of my routine this summer. Before this year, the only thing I knew about the show was that Ariana Grande’s brother had been on it. This all changed when I began watching season 18 on CBS.
Yes, you read the correctly. This show has been on every summer for the last 18 years. Over this time, they have been able to find out what does and doesn’t work which translates very well for someone just joining in.
The basics of the show are that a group of people are put in the "Big Brother" House together and are on camera 24/7. They are given tasks and meant to evict people until the top two are left in which former competitors choose the winner. Second place receives $50,000 and first place receives $500,000 — not chump change. They do this while having no communication with the outside world.
The competitions vary so those with different abilities can succeed. Winning the competitions can alter your standing in the game by making you Head of Household or giving you the Power of Veto. The Head of Household chooses the competitors who are at risk of going home. The Power of Veto allows you to pull some down from the eviction block or keep it the same, depending on which is more beneficial to the winner.
While the competitions are entertaining to watch, they are not what pulled me into a show that airs three nights a week. It is the social observation side that got me. These people are always being filmed at all times and you are watching them make and break alliances in order to remain on top.
The strategy the players use is fascinating. Sometimes they will show the conversations and deals that took place in order to get the house to vote completely opposite than expected, but often this isn’t shown during primetime. A competitor will spend the entire week advocating to get rid of someone to switch and vote for the other.
For those deeply invested in what is happening, there is Big Brother After Dark which airs ever night on Pop. This gives an unfiltered view of the house. You can also watch CBS’s livefeed. With this much access, it is very easy to get wrapped up in the show.
Just like most shows, there are characters you love, characters you hate and those you wished had been evicted weeks ago. There are tons of twists and turns as everyone keeps changing up the house to better their chances at the grand prize. If you watch it, you already know the appeal. If you haven’t started the show, start watching now because you don’t want to wait until next summer to see it.
