“Big Brother” is about to reach a major television milestone.
The CBS reality competition will air its 1,000th episode on Thursday, Aug. 27, becoming the first primetime entertainment show in the United States to reach the mark.
The milestone arrives during “Big Brother 28,” which continues the franchise’s tradition of airing multiple episodes each week. It also keeps fans engaged through competitions, shifting alliances and 24/7 live feeds.
To celebrate the occasion, CBS is giving the show a special 90-minute episode filled with surprises. There will also be a look back at some of the franchise’s biggest moments.
‘Big Brother’ Looks Back at Its History
Executive producer Allison Grodner said the production team wanted the milestone episode to celebrate the show’s history. In addition, they want to give longtime fans a role in the festivities.
“It’s been really interesting and fun to think about how to celebrate the show,” Grodner told Variety.
The episode will begin by reflecting on the franchise’s past. Fan engagement will also play a role. The show will reveal results from polls asking viewers about their favorite moments, favorite winners and Houseguests who fans believe should have won.
That allows viewers to revisit some of the most memorable people and moments from nearly three decades of “Big Brother.”
‘Big Brother’ Has Outpaced Other TV Franchises
“Big Brother” reached the 1,000-episode milestone during its 28th season because the show typically airs several times each week.
The franchise is now well ahead of “The Simpsons.” That show reached 800 episodes near the end of its 37th season in February.
It has also surpassed fellow CBS reality competition “Survivor,” which had aired 727 episodes through Season 50.
Both “Big Brother” and “Survivor” premiered in 2000, making the accomplishment another notable milestone for the network’s reality television lineup.
The Show Has Changed Since Season 1
Julie Chen Moonves has hosted “Big Brother” since its first season, which premiered in 2000.
The original season looked considerably different from the format viewers know today. Based on the original Netherlands version of the show, Season 1 struggled with ratings. It also faced questions about whether the series would survive the summer.
Chen Moonves also faced criticism as she took on the role of host.
The show ultimately returned for a second season with a substantially different format. This established the basic structure that has remained in place ever since.
Houseguests compete for power, nominate one another for eviction and ultimately try to convince the jury that they deserve the grand prize.
The prize was originally $500,000 before increasing to $750,000 beginning with Season 23.
The Power of Veto Changed the Game
One of the franchise’s most important additions arrived in Season 3 with the introduction of the Power of Veto.
The competition gave nominated Houseguests another opportunity to save themselves from eviction. If the Veto is used, the Head of Household must name a replacement nominee. This adds another layer of strategy to each week.
Over the years, producers have continued experimenting with the format while maintaining the show’s central social experiment.
The latest major change arrived in Season 26 with the introduction of the BB Blockbuster, originally known as the A.I. Arena.
The competition added another layer to eviction night by putting three nominees in danger each week. After the Power of Veto is played, the nominees compete for a final opportunity to secure safety.
Allison Grodner Explains Why ‘Big Brother’ Keeps Adding Twists
For Grodner, the twists are part of what keeps “Big Brother” fresh despite its lengthy seasons and established format.
“We add in the twists and turns because more and more, you need those things that are promotable and you need those ‘can’t miss’ moments,” she said.
Unlike many other reality shows, “Big Brother” has to maintain viewer interest across dozens of episodes during a single season.
“We have what is the ultimate endurance competition in ‘Big Brother,’ just the whole season,” Grodner said. “Unlike other shows, we need to sustain interest for, in this case, 50 episodes.”
The approach isn’t universally popular with viewers. Some longtime fans prefer seasons with fewer twists. They argue that additional mechanics can interfere with the natural development of alliances and power structures.
Grodner understands that perspective but said the show’s long history also creates a challenge for producers.
“Remember we’ve got so many seasons that the new cast can watch; we need to make sure that there’s still something to keep them on their toes, right?” she said. “That there’s still going to be something unexpected.”
That philosophy has helped define “Big Brother” throughout its run.
As the show celebrates its 1,000th episode, the franchise continues to rely on the same basic ingredients. These are the ones that made it a television staple: strategy, social relationships, competitions and, above all, the promise that viewers never quite know what will happen next.
