Summer's biggest reality competition show is returning this week, and fans are itching with anticipation. Big Brother 27 is upon us, and earlier this week, CBS fed us some bite-sized morsels of information regarding the upcoming season, as well as a tour of the new BB house. The theme is "A Summer of Mysteries", and the house itself is named "Hotel Mystere," a further solidification of hidden secrets being a prominent element of the production
One of the reveals, however, is causing a bigger stir than the rest. Big Brother producers have let fans and viewers in on a secret; there is a mystery houseguest coming into the season, and Julie Chen went so far as to call them a polarizing figure. We have no idea what any of this means, but it appears many are assuming that a former houseguest will be making a return. While this seems like the most likely scenario, it is my assertion that this would be a major mistake by the team.
A polarizing houseguest would not add to the Big Brother 27 season
Bringing in a shocking mystery houseguest is certainly a successful way to stir up talk and interest before season 27 begins, but it is entirely unnecessary. Big Brother has had only two all-star seasons, but there have been an additional five seasons that have brought back returning players combined with new players. In every single one of them except BB11, a returning player either made the final two, won the game, or both.
That is not a coincidence. Often, these players are given some sort of advantage to keep them safe at first. Even when they are not, the cast often has multiple players who become star struck and want to work with the returnees. The returnees are often highly strategic or at least conniving, which makes it fairly easy for them to take over power in the game regardless of being outnumbered. In fact, the HOH and Nominees format of BB makes it much more likely that the returning players can stay safe, even in a minority.
It is for this reason that I seriously hope they are not bringing back a former houseguest. I am sick of seeing the returner look down on the new faces. New housemates should have the opportunity to establish themselves as characters in their own right. It is unnecessary, if you make good casting decisions, to take away from that by centering the season around a former player, as usually ends up the case.
There are really only two options here, especially if the mystery player is as polarizing as Julie suggests. One, the player gets voted out very early and has essentially no impact on the game, which at that point begs the question, why even bother? The flip is that this player, like almost all previous returnee seasons before it (sorry Mr. Pectacular) makes it deep in the game and takes all the attention. In either case, what is the benefit?
Simply put, there is none. There is no benefit in either scenario. If the houseguest was beloved, at least the popularity could drive viewership. But to be polarizing or controversial likely suggests the player will offer mixed feelings, which likely cancel out any possible viewership gains that the team may be hoping for. In fact, it could make the season more unbearable to watch for some, much like Paul Abrahamian's presence of "friendship" did on season 18.
In the end, all decisions made by production should be made with the aim of improving the product and making it the best possible, because the better the season is, the higher the ratings and views. Bringing back a singular returning player does nothing for viewership nor the quality of the season, and in both cases has a non-zero chance of hurting both. It would be a mistake if this is CBS's plan.
I want nothing more than for Big Brother 27 to be an amazing season. The older school seasons had a special magic that is rarely replicated in the new era. That is not to say that the new seasons are unenjoyable, but they often lack flavor and are predictable. Instead of trying to bring back a returning player, hopefully, the team will put effort into shocking twists, exciting secrets, and game changers, and most importantly, a fantastic cast.
If the cast is done correctly, they can carry a season on their own. Hopefully, that will be the case for Big Brother 27. Tune in on July 10 at 8/7c on CBS and Paramount+ to check out the action, and hopefully learn a bit more about this mystery houseguest.
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