Big Brother 9 twist revealed - Today's News: Our Take

Big Brother's Julie Chen by Cliff Lipson/CBS

How is a special edition of Big Brother — that show about people who lay around half-naked doing nothing all summer — possibly going to work in the dead of winter? "By turning up the heat — and that's not just a publicity slogan," says Allison Grodner, exec producer of the CBS hit. "The house is usually air-conditioned, but no longer. It's going to get quite hot inside. I think you're going to see a lot more people taking off their clothes."

This ninth season of BB has a big twist that's also designed to amp up the steam factor: All of the 16 houseguests (which include a "bikini barista" and a Hollywood paparazzo) are single, available and looking for love. (See the full cast here.) "Through research and compatibility testing, they've been teamed in the house with their perfect love match — their soulmate as it were — and they'll play the game as partners," Grodner says. "They'll live together, share HOH and POV wins and be evicted as a couple. This may prove a blessing or a curse. That's why we've tagged this season Big Brother: 'Til Death Do You Part."

Grodner promises this latest batch of hamsters is "remarkably fresh and unique in their personalities. No one's trying to be Dr. Will or the next Evil Dick."

Big Brother premieres Tuesday, Feb. 12, at 9 pm/ET, and will also air Wednesdays and Sundays at 8. — Michael Logan

More on Big Brother 9:
• Photo gallery: Meet the 16 housemates
• Photo gallery: Take a tour of the new house!
• TV Guide Network's Kimberly Caldwell braves the Big house

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Feb 6, 2008 9:26 AM

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I'm ready for BB to start. The house looks pretty cool. I like the log cabin feel.
Posted by Leah Feb 6, 2008 10:44 AM Report Abuse

Even though Im upset that BB wont be on in the summer, Im still looking foward to it. And the house does looks cool. I like the beds. Anything will be better than the Alice in Wonderland theme last year.
Posted by lizzybelle Feb 6, 2008 11:44 AM Report Abuse

It's still gonna be back this summer. I read that there will be about a month between the 2 seasons.
http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/02/04/details-starting-to-emerge-for-big-brother-9/

Despite earlier speculation that we'd have a shortened season running around six weeks or so, it's been confirmed that the season will run for approximately three months. Since Big Brother 10 is on the slate for an early July start, we'll have about a month to recover between seasons. Yes, I said recover. Remember, I report on the live feeds!

Posted by Leah

Feb 6, 2008 12:05 PM

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America is such a diverse place. You mean to tell me that they could not find more black house guest (I'm really sick of the "Token" black houseguest.) They could find NO ASIANS NO HISPANICS. NO OLDER SINGLE people looking for love? This is highly offensive! I'm sick of "reality shows" not be realistic AT ALL. My graduate class is more diverse then this show! I LOVE Big Brother, but this may be it for me. I was very upset this summer with the one black house guest and forget having a Asian house guest -- that's just CRAZY! But who cares because people will still watch so CBS doesn't have to pretend to even care. CBS = Colorless Broadcasting Service. I guess I should shut up and be happy that Julie is Asian and that Survivor SOMETIMES has a ratio of white:minority equaling 85% to 15%.

Posted by veinia

Feb 6, 2008 2:27 PM

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The posters that complain that no minorities are ever cast for the reality shows need to think back a few seasons ago with Survivor where an Asian won, that show was full of minorities. Maybe the Asians, Latinos and African Americans are just smarter than caucasians and don't want to do Big Brother!
Posted by TLAVOHN Feb 6, 2008 2:48 PM Report Abuse

I agree totally about the lack of diversity on this and other reality shows. Just because in one season there was a more diverse cast doesn't excuse the one or two or no minitory representation in all others. I'm not a minority myself, and would certainly love to see a show like this have more than a token representation.
Posted by cfans Feb 6, 2008 3:44 PM Report Abuse

I don't like the sound of that twist. And evicting two at a time will sure make for a quick season. I hope they are still planning a summer edition with individual players.
Posted by gdADV Feb 6, 2008 5:34 PM Report Abuse

I love the look of the new house, but I agree with some of the other posters about the lack of diversity. They've got the token African American and this years "Kail" (the only person over the age of 30, who will sadly be labeled "the old one"). Nevertheless, I will be watching and blogging! Looking forward to the ride!
Posted by k4lakers Feb 6, 2008 6:20 PM Report Abuse

i am definitely not into the outdoorsy new digs, and between the heat and everyone being single it's gonna be a pretty sleazy season, probably more like the european versions. but i look forward to checking it out.
Posted by kimba Feb 6, 2008 6:46 PM Report Abuse

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