Is CBS Working on a 'Celebrity Big Brother'?

It’s offical. CBS just posted the application for Big Brother 3 on their website. Apparently, this summer, the show will be back on the Tiffany network, again hosted by Julie Chen, and produced by Arnold Shapiro.

But even more amazing, in today’s (February 27, 2002) issue of The New York Post, Page Six is reporting there is also going to be a Celebrity Big Brother like the one last year in the UK.

The Post reports that, “In the last few months, CBS has been beating the bushes to find strong-willed stars to participate in an abridged, celebrity edition of Big Brother.” According to the article, “The network had hoped to air two separate installments of Celebrity Big Brother, lasting about 10 days each, during the month-long hiatus between the end of Survivor: Africa in January and the beginning of Survivor: Marquesas tomorrow night.”

The article continues with the fact that it has been hard to find celebs who are willing to take a week of their lives to live in the Big Brother house, which is located on a studio lot in Hollywood.

Perhaps this is where CBS should have realized that in the UK they used B-list celebs. An A-list celeb would never do a show like this. But a rising star, doing anything to see his/her name on that marquee. Of course, they do have to be celebrities -- not just wannabe actors and actresses (those go on Survivor -- as Jerri, Silas, and now Gabriel have shown us). But it would also be a big break for the actors whose careers have faded, the former hot A-list actors/musicians from the 70s and 80s whose names only appear in old Trivial Pursuit games or on a show like “what ever happened to” or on other “celebrity” gameshows. Even the idea of putting on former child stars would be ideal. Put the remaining actors from Different Strokes -- and the advantage there is that the producers and public would already be familiar with their criminal records, so – unlike Justin and others from last time – it wouldn’t be a surprise and background checks could be left out. Or go with the folks from Gilligan’s Island -- show them what it’s like to really be stuck with no place to go. It would be interesting TV.

Alas, the Post adds that at least for the time being, CBS has shelved the idea while they concentrate on developing Big Brother 3. But the Post does note that the celebrity version of Big Brother could be done in the Fall, after Big Brother 3 ends. A CBS spokesman declined to comment.

I sure hope they do decide to do the celebrity edition. The ratings in the UK were phenomenal. RNO will be bringing updates as this story develops, as well as our usual coverage on Big Brother. Meanwhile, if you want to apply, hop on over to the CBS website and fill out an application. And if you’re a celebrity who wants to join in the mini-version, well, I guess you should just contact CBS directly.

UPDATE: In Thursday's "Page Six," Howard Stern has offered to be in Celebrity Big Brother if -- and only if -- his nemesis Kathie Lee Gifford will be in it too. Oh, and it has to be not the 10 days suggested above, but a full month. Um, yeah, that's likely. Sounds like another ploy by Stern to get attention. My first impression is that no other celeb in their right mind would go into a Big Brother house with him. But on the other hand, maybe they would just to have the opportunity to vote him out.

Susan has to admit , her favorite reality show of all time is Big Brother, and she has watched both houses from the US and the UK series.

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