Over the last few months, Big Brother fans, eager for more information about the show they love, have been asking all the burning questions about the upcoming season. As the premiere draws closer, the on-line communities are buzzing with excited fans and breaking news, but there is just as much rumor and fiction as fact. Let’s set the record straight on what we really do know about Big Brother 11.
Will Julie Chen remain as host?
Though host Julie Chen (also known as the “Chenbot”) is pregnant with her first child, she will remain as host of the program throughout the entire competition. She is due to give birth shortly after the show’s finale airs.
Will live studio audiences return this season?
Following in Big Brother 10’s footsteps, fans will once again be able to attend the live eviction shows on Thursday evenings.
When can we expect to find out more about the season?
On Friday, June 19, 12 members of the press entered the new house for 12 hours and participated in a speed-run of the game, including several competitions and an eviction ceremony. For now, they’ve had to be tight-lipped about their experiences in the house, but Media day has been confirmed as Monday, June 29. This is also the most likely day that the Houseguests will go into sequester. Soon after that day, CBS will officially release information about the house, the twists, and the new Houseguests. Fan site WeLoveBigBrother.com suggests that all of this information will be revealed by July 2.
What will the new house look like?
For now, all we know is that the house will be very “modern,” and that Big Brother is going “green” this season, so the house will feature an eco-friendly design. This is most likely a result of budget cuts. Another victim of budget cuts was CBS.com’s live Internet talk show, House Calls, which will not be returning this year.
An anonymous poster on BBDish has leaked what he/she claims to be details about the house, although this is far from confirmed. Allegedly, the kitchen table is modeled after a tree and carpet grass covers the floor of the house; the backyard features a fountain and some murals; the bathroom resembles a public restroom, complete with urinals on the walls and sinks with motion sensors. We’ll find out soon whether or not this information proves to be accurate.
How many Houseguests will compete?
The number of Houseguests this season is still unconfirmed. While the CBS Web site and promos for the show suggest that there will be 12 Houseguests, casting director Robyn Kass cautioned that the web designers and those responsible for creating the promos know nothing about the new cast. In a recent radio interview executive producer Allison Grodner joked that Chen’s baby will be the surprise 14th Houseguest this season, suggesting that there will be 13 Houseguests, rather than 12. However many there are, Grodner has confirmed that the cast is finalized and will be entering the house on July 5.
What will be this season’s casting twist?
As fans know, there is always a “twist” on Big Brother, and while this season’s twist is not likely to be confirmed until after the June 29th Media day, Grodner claimed in the radio interview that the twist is something that is relatable to everyone. A show insider at RealtyBBQ.com has asked fans to consider what high school clique they were a part of, suggesting that the new season will be like high school all over again. Recent on-line postings by Big Brother casting associates looking to recruit specific types of characters lend credence to the insider’s tip. A nerdy/geeky girl, a “Suicide Girl” look-a-like, and of course the obligatory hot single guy and hot blonde woman are among the types that were sought out last month, and fit in to the high school cliques idea.
Until recently, most of the fan speculation revolved around an economy-related twist, perhaps involving Houseguests who had lost their jobs due to the recession. Another early rumor that originated on Twitter claims that intruders who had some previous connections to certain Houseguests would enter the house throughout the game, but it is unlikely that either of these rumors holds any merit. The evidence leans strongly towards the high school cliques – it’s certainly something that everyone can relate to, as Grodner said.
What other twists can fans expect?
If past seasons are any indication, the casting twist won’t be the only wrinkle that producers add to the game to keep things interesting. While most of Grodner’s twists have fallen short, radio show host Carrie Moten who entered the house on June 19 reports that “[t]here is a pretty awesome twist this season AND it’s NEVER happened on TV.” She also says that if you were addicted to Big Brother before, “you’re gonna L-O-V-E it [even more] this year.” Additionally, Grodner promises that something that happens on premiere night will be unprecedented, but can’t reveal any details yet. Expect more information to trickle in in the days leading up to the premiere.
When can I watch BB11?
Big Brother 11 will kick off Thursday, July 9 at 8 p.m. EST on CBS. Following the premiere, the show will air three nights weekly, on Sundays (8 p.m. EST), Tuesdays (9 p.m. EST), and Thursdays (live 8 p.m. EST/delayed PST). For more information on Big Brother 11, see the show’s official Web site at CBS.com.
Are you looking forward to the new season? What twists do you expect? Let me hear your thoughts and comments on BB11 before the season airs.
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