Television Review: Big Brother
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that the contestants on this
voyeuristic reality show are 14 adults who live together in a
house. Their close proximity leads to various iffy situations,
including excessive drinking and hooking up. What's more, the
contestants manipulate each other (lying, flirting, etc.) to
get a leg up on their opponents.
Families can talk about healthy competition. Why is it
important to be a good sport? How can you handle an opponent
who doesn't play fair? Which of the contestants on this show
play fair, and which don't? Is it OK to play dirty with so much
at stake? Why or why not?
In CBS' BIG BROTHER, 14 contestants live under the same roof and vie for the chance to be the last resident remaining -- and to win $500,000. Under the watchful gaze of hidden cameras in every room, the contestants spend three months sequestered in their souped-up quarters (often tricked out with products placed by advertisers) completing challenges and scheming to evict the other competitors in a bid to be the last one standing. In the first season, viewers voted housemates out, but that approach was abandoned for a more traditional one starting in Season 2, when the contestants started evicting each other directly. The host is The Early Show's somewhat wooden Julie Chen.
Big Brother entertains viewers with its scandalous situations -- Jacuzzi hook-ups, threats, etc. -- confessionals in the video diary room and, of course, the contestants' shameless cunning and guile. But while reality show addicts (and anyone who likes a good voyeuristic thrill) will want to tune in, ultimately Big Brother -- which features contestants frolicking in bikinis and canned personality conflicts -- fails to live up to its more intelligent reality-show peers.
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