Big Brothermade headlinesearly this summer when several houseguests were caught on camera saying racist things.
The surprise was not the racism.
More than a few people probably didnt realize thatBig Brotherwas still on.
Credit: Lisette M. Azar/CBS
Big Brotherdebuted the same summer asSurvivor, but it never had that shows success orRaces critical acclaim.
In hindsight, the first season of the show looks like a hodgepodge of turn-of-the-millenium Big Ideas.
The show was hosted by Julie Chen, a host who vibed like aDunkelman.
Time passed, and reality TV became what reality TV is now.
Precisely what thatisstill isnt really clear.
(New Yorkis theDeep Space Nine.)
Big Brotherusually never enters that conversation.
In one sense, the show is fantastically rigid.
In the best seasons, the power structure of the house essentially reboots every week.
Someone who was nearly sent home can win HoH and immediately take revenge on their enemies.
A lovable underdog can become a villainous powermonger, and vice versa.
(Big Brotherhad a second screen back when people could only handle one.)
Which is a statement as true as it is annoying.)
The competitions get loopier (and more fun).
(It helps that she has perfected a Leslie Nielsen tone of voice which sounds hyper-serious and sarcastic.)
But at heart, the best thing about the show is how unadorned it is.
