CBS reality series ‘Big Brother’ debuts Wednesday

Tuesday, July 4, 2000 | 11:22 a.m.

CBS hopes a hefty share of viewers join in as well. The network is seeking to match the success of "Survivor," which gathered 16 contestants on a Malaysian island to compete for $1 million prize under television's watchful gaze.

In "Big Brother," the contestants are isolated in an 1,800-square foot home built on a corner of a CBS Studio Center parking lot. They were to meet for the first time when they entered the house at 10 p.m. PDT Tuesday night.

The network was withholding the identities and hometowns of the contestants - who sent in videotaped applications and underwent what CBS called extensive screening and background checks - until the group was secluded in the house.

Although the original Dutch version of "Big Brother" was harshly criticized as exploitative and voyeuristic, the show became a hit and was copied in Germany and Spain.

Criticism has been more muted in America, although some media observers have questioned how far the reality-TV trend might go. Fox already saw how far it could go wrong with "Who Wants to Marry a Multimillionaire?"

"People want something different. There's more of a voyeuristic nature to our watching habits," said Leslie Moonves, president of CBS Television, which paid a reported $20 million to the show's Dutch creator for rights.

"Big Brother" simply is intended to be "fun," according to series producer Paul Romer. "Humans are curious beings. We like to know how other people live."

The show's 9 p.m. PDT Wednesday debut is intended to capitalize on "Survivor's" popularity. The castaways show, which airs at 8 p.m. PDT Wednesday and is in its sixth week, was the first series to make a dent in the ratings of ABC's hit "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."

Like "Survivor," the contestants of "Big Brother" will gradually whittle their ranks down to a final participant. Viewers also will have a say in the winner of the $500,000 "Big Brother" prize.

Unlike the island show, which was filmed last spring, "Big Brother" is airing five nights a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday is its regular berth) for three months and will film as it goes.

The daily record made by 28 cameras and 60 microphones installed throughout the house will be quickly edited for the next broadcast. The Thursday episode, which will feature the contestant ousted that week, will be a live in-studio edition.

The house, with adjoining vegetable garden, is stocked with staples (minus the rats that served as a "Survivor" menu item). There's no TV, radio or newspapers, although each person can bring a small suitcase with distractions such as books or games.

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On the Net: http://BigBrother2000.com