Big Brother 4 to Feature Ex-Spouses!

Big Brother 4 begins in slightly over a week, on July 8. There have been rumors that even more twists will be put into the mix this year. Previously, executive producer Arnold Shapiro said that there would be 13 houseguests, rather than the usual 12. He further said that only seven would vote for the winner – like the Survivor jury – and those seven would be sequestered after being evicted from the house.

In fact, they will be put into a second house where they will still be taped, and some of that footage will be added to the show. However, they will only be allowed to see selected portions of the show, and nothing from the Diary Room, so they cannot change their minds based on what they see there. This decision was made because of what happened last year, where many of the houseguests were apparently angered by what they saw Danielle saying, which caused a lopsided vote for Lisa.

However, the biggest twist was announced today by CBS, now that the houseguests have been already taken from their regular lives and locked up in preparation for their introduction to the house. No, it’s not that a houseguest will be traded with the UK’s version, as happened in the African Big Brother. That rumor began when it was learned that the U.S. BB would also be seen in the UK. While we can’t say for certain that it won’t happen, at least we know that’s not “the big twist” that everybody was waiting for.

Instead, Big Brother will reunite broken-up boyfriends, girlfriends, and spouses. In fact, the producers are calling it Big Brother 4: The X Factor.

When I first heard this news, I thought somebody had fabricated a parody press release. It sounds more like something Fox would do for a one-time show. But I have checked with several sources and it is indeed true. Big Brother this year will not just feature people who don’t know each other being locked in together, but rather it will feature that situation with people who know each other and decided at one point that they don’t like each other! Actually, only eight of the houseguests will know each other (four couples), with the other five being unknown to all and facing the uncomfortable position of being in a house full of people who don’t particularly want to be with each other.

As of right now, with the houseguests still sequestered alone, none of them knows about this twist. They will apparently find out when they are sent to the house. One of the producers said, “We see Big Brother as a soap opera, and thought this was perfect soap opera fodder.” Indeed. However, is making it into more of a gimmick soap opera really the way to go with this show? Time and ratings will tell.

Other twists are still planned along the way. This fourth series includes both the youngest and the oldest players in BB history, at 19 and 59. And none of the cast members is married (because, let’s face it, they’d rather have people who are willing to hook up). Veto power will still be part of the game, but with a twist. The producers have also said that nobody will be coming back to the house after getting the boot, as Amy did last year.

Big Brother will air Tuesdays (8/7 Central), Wednesdays (9/8 Central), and Fridays (8/7 Central). Wednesdays will be eviction episodes beginning July 16.

David Bloomberg is the Editor of RealityNewsOnline and can be reached at rno@pobox.com.

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