The past two seasons of CBS’s reality competition social experiment “Big Brother” have included a twist most recently called the “BB Blockbuster,” and fans of the extra weekly competition will be happy to know it will likely return in the future.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the “Big Brother” executive producers Rich Meehan and Allison Grodner explained the fate of the recently-added third weekly competition. Although nothing is set in stone yet, Meehan said he thinks the Blockbuster will return, adding, “We’ll meet with everybody once we have a little perspective from the season, but in our opinion, it makes the live shows so much more engaging and entertaining to watch.”
Grodner concurred, adding that the extra competition also makes the week more interesting for those following on the live feeds on Paramount+. “There’s that time between the Veto meeting and the eviction where things became very certain. And that period of time is much more active now,” she said.
The ‘Big Brother’ Blockbuster Explained
CBS“Big Brother” season 26 introduced a new twist, then called the “AI Arena.” For the first seven weeks of the game, Heads of Household (HOHs) had to nominate not two, but three players for eviction. If someone use the veto, a new third nominee was put on the block. On eviction night, the three nominees participated in a live competition, with the winner officially taking themselves off the block, thus saving them from eviction. The houseguests then voted out one of the remaining two players.
In “Big Brother” season 26, this twist only lasted until the jury phase of the reality show. However, when it was brought back for season 27 and renamed the “BB Blockbuster,” the twist lasted much longer. Instead of seven weeks, the Blockbuster lasted ten weeks, ending right before the season’s first double eviction.
In past seasons, players would decide whom they wanted to evict days in advance, often managing to garner unanimous votes against one player. This could lead to unexciting eviction nights, as those following the live feeds knew for days who was being sent home. Although players could still determine whom to evict depending on one of three scenarios, the Blockbuster provided live scrambles to flip votes last minute.
That’s one reason Meehan likes the Blockbuster, he told Entertainment Weekly. “Our votes are better. You never know who’s going home. It’s like there is a big live sporting event happening on our live show. So we think for those reasons it really works,” he said.
The Blockbuster Has Been Controversial
Not everyone is a fan of this “Big Brother” twist. The Blockbuster has prevented backdoors, because nominated players always compete in at least one competition in a week. “Big Brother” may be a social strategy game, but the Blockbuster means the show has become more competition focused than ever before.
Meehan understands this criticism, but he doesn’t think that means the twist needs to retire. “Ultimately, look at who won the last two seasons — two social players. So, you know, yes and no. It’s very hard for someone to win out on Big Brother. The Block Buster might save them and extend their life in the game, but it’s very hard to win out. It’s very hard to win every challenge. If you went back through the history of the show, there’s not a lot of people that have been able to do that,” he said.
I think the Blockbuster should stay. It adds more competition, plus it saved my favorite player, Keanu! And you made a good point, the last two BB winners were social players. I do not think Ashley deserved to win over Vince, but people didn’t like him! Ashley did nothing but stay under the radar, and hide! What you should NOT bring back is letting former players come back! They had their chance and it isn’t fair! And Celebrity BB really sucks! Thank you!
ASHLEY did not deserve to win…really a big mistake…Vince should have won….yes he did make few mistakes BUT THIS IS BIG BROTHER…cmon very unhappy with the choice to win ASHLEY was not a good competitor what a mistake…..