If CBS found success with a perverse version of The Swiss Family Robinson in 2000, it's no wonder the network looked to Orwellian literature for its next big reality series. And Big Brother — originally a hit series in the Netherlands, named for the omnipresent eye in 1984 — proved to be wise investment for the network... even if the first season fell as flat as a bowl of slop.
How did that series look back in 2000, and how has it evolved into what it is today? That's exactly the topic of our latest episode of TV. Watch. Repeat., in which my co-host Allison Piwowarski and I take a look back at the very first episode of Big Brother, and research all the behind-the-scenes details that led to one of the most addictive series ever to air on TV. We find out why exactly Julie Chen took the job, the story of a surprising Season 1 cast member-turned-billionaire, and how the series approached major world events in the house.
So, Quack Pack, settle in and enjoy our latest episode of TV. Watch. Repeat. on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And be sure to check out our daily pop culture podcast, Pop Chaser, for all your entertainment headline needs, y'all.
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