Tune into Big Brother 10: Here's Why

In a television season shrouded by a lengthy writers' strike, CBS has opted to reward its viewing audience with two editions of the hit reality series Big Brother, a competition that dwindles a band of thirteen competitors down to one, who stands to bring home half a million dollars. On a weekly basis, house guests compete for the Head of Household (HOH), who is given the liberty of choosing two potential individuals to be evicted. Of those in danger of eviction, a test of endurance or trivia knowledge is implemented for the coveted Power of Veto (POV), which gives the person holding it the power to (1) take him or herself off the block (if they have been nominated) or (2) take an evictee off the block, thereby forcing the HOH to make another choice for eviction. At the end of a given week, CBS hosts a live eviction in which current house guests (with the exception of the HOH and the two nominated evictees) vote on who they wish to be removed from the Big Brother house. Every subsequent week, various competitions bring forth new HOH's (a Head of Household may not have the distinction for consecutive weeks) and new opportunities to achieve POV. All in all, Big Brother is a riveting game of strategy, controversy, and drama that entices viewers three days a week (Sundays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, the last of which is a live eviction episode). Observe why you should get caught up in a reality show craze that has entertained American audiences for nine years running and will captivate reality show aficionados starting this Sunday at 8:00 PM.

5. A Game of Gimmicks
Although the most recent edition of the show (Big Brother 9: 'Til Death Do Us Part) was nearly destroyed by a gimmick (house guests were paired up as couples and were evicted as a pair), the show has the tendency to thrive off of twists. Take for example Big Brother 8, a show driven by two twists: (1) select house guests knew one another on some level (for instance, Dustin and Joe were ex-boyfriends forced into a tense living situation and expected to compete) and (2) America's Player was chosen, a distinction held mightily by Eric Stein, whose game play was altered by the will of America. Voters would force Eric to do several things, including (a) persuading the HOH into making his/her evictee choices, (b) voting off an elected competitor on the eviction block and (c) completing tasks that would earn America's Player money. Despite submitting to the wishes of Big Brother viewers, Eric made it into the top four, a standing he more than likely would have improved on had he not been America's Player (after all, the way he wished to play the game was severely compromised).


4. The Best of Survivor + The Best of Real World = Big Brother
Big Brother combines the best elements of Survivor (tense competitions involving strength, strategy, and endurance) and Real World (high-strung drama at every corner) in order to create a brand of unique reality show intrigue. Players hook up, house guests get crapped on, and individuals struggle to survive knowing that a tremendous amount of money is at stake, along with the construction of a reputation as a keen, observant, and cold-blooded combatant. These facets of the game are what makes Big Brother an altogether must-see event, an experience further enhanced via Showtime's Big Brother After Dark (uncensored live feeds!).

3. In This Game, Cheaters Do Prosper

As a prerequisite for applying to the show (ordinary people looking to be a part of the Big Brother experience must fill out a 14-page application, complete with an audition tape), soft-mannered, honest folk need not apply. Alliances are formed and broken by those looking to catapult themselves to the top, even if it comes at the expense of cutting throats and driving daggers into the backs of unknowing house guests. The most notorious pairing, featured in Big Brother 7: All-Stars, was the self-proclaimed Chill Town (a reincarnation of an alliance started in Big Brother 2), comprised of Will Kirby and Mike Boogie, who shafted various females (in relationships they called 'showmances') in order to achieve victory. Despite their conniving ways, Will and Mike proved to be two of the most memorable and skilled competitors on the Big Brother stage.

2. A Cast of Characters You Love to Hate

Often times, the players you hate the most (Big Brother 8's Jen and Evel Dick) are the ones who make the biggest strides in the game, simply because it's their antics (playing mind games, keeping empty promises, etc.) that define their grand plan in spite of the ill-will and hatred they produce. As fate would have it, the more obnoxious the player, the more likely they are to move forward in the competition. Often times, it's the 'floaters' (those not choosing sides in an alliance, those who keep to themselves, those who continually 'do the right thing') who draw more ire than the hated ones, simply because it's the loathed players that are, in essence, engaging in the game, not simply biding their time from one eviction to the next. Additionally, the greater levels of obnoxious behavior are what draws you into Big Brother like quicksand. After all, aren't we all gluttons for a gloves-off, expletive-laden tirade?

1. It's an International Sensation!
First initialized in the Netherlands in 1999, then popularized in England for the early part of the 21st century (fans of the show can, at any time, watch seven different live feeds through a digital cable box in Britain), Big Brother currently airs in 70 different countries, hosting 43 varying Big Brother competitions on a yearly basis. Tasting success akin to David Hasselhoff/Pamela Anderson's global craze Baywatch, Big Brother continues to utilize similar formats that play out differently from one country's version of the show to the next. In this summer season of unwatchable television, take a chance on Big Brother; you'll soon be hooked!

Top 5 Summer Reality Shows

While I've come out against reality television in one of my former posts, allow me to clarity that not all reality shows are terrible. Below you will find the most dramatic, humorous, and entertaining reality shows that will keep you busy while the summer schedule is devoid of quality programming. Some of you may feel that when compared with stellar programming like LOST or House these shows are pure garbage. In my opinion, while these shows may lack the sophisticated character development and complex scripts, they're way better than re-runs.

5. Cops

Cops has been running for twenty years and somehow you can't get enough drug busts, traffic stops, and bad behavior. What's even better about this show is between TruTV and the G4 network, it seems like it's always on. I don't know about you but I love watching a show about bitter Americans who cling to their guns. The best thing about Cops is that it shows regardless of where you are from, stupid people are willing to provide you with cheap entertainment, often at the small price of their own freedom.

4. Party Heat

Fans of Cops will love this reality show that visits the busiest exotic party locations all over the United States. Episodes of Party Heat prove that when you mix tons of alcohol and a college Spring Break mentality, you have the makings of quality entertainment. People will do just about anything when they are intoxicated. My personal favorite was on Lake Havisu where a boat full of college students began to sink when they overloaded a party barge. To make the situation even better, many became belligerent when they were told if they didn't get off the boat they might drown. "Damn it, quit saving my life and let me get super-drunk!" Party on Dude! Party on...

3. So You Think You Can Dance

I recently was turned on to this show, which I believe is more entertaining than American Idol. First off, most of the people that try out for it appear to have so much more talent than the people they round up for the Idol competition. For those of you who believed Paula Abdul was crazy, check out Mary Murphy, who has perfected crazy and turned it into an art form. Another nice aspect is that you will not have to deal with Simon's quirky catch-phrases or Randy's pointless banter. It may not compare with America's Best Dance Crew in terms of sheer wow factor, but many of the contestant's moves will have you saying, DAMN!

2. The Mole

After a long hiatus, The Mole has returned to ABC's line-up. The Mole has 12 contestants try to figure out which player amongst them is the saboteur of their missions. Think, reality television meets clue. While there is no Col. Mustard or Professor Plum, the Mole will and the show's editors will constantly have you guessing. While Anderson Cooper has moved on to bigger and better things (he used to be the host) the show is still as good as ever.

1. Big Brother

When it comes to Summer Reality TV drama, no show can top Big Brother. This reality show, now in it's tenth season, proves that when people from all over the United States are locked into a house for three months without television or any outside communication, crazy things will happen. The last two champions Evel Dick and Adam are some of the ugliest people in all humanity. Adam (last years champion) referred to the autistic children whom he teaches as "retards", while Evel Dick quite possibly was the nastiest player in the history of the game. Whenever I suggest this show to people they always shrug it off and figure it would be stupid, that is until they watch it. I swear it's like television crack. If you watch one season of this show, forever will it dominate your destiny. Don't believe me, the next season premiers on CBS on Sunday July 13th.