Reality Rumors

The reality show “Big Brother” will be back for an 11th edition, CBS announced Monday.

The 10th season of the competition series wrapped up last week with Dan Gheesling, a 25-year-old Catholic school teacher from Dearborn, Mich., winning $500,000.

Gheesling competed for the top prize against a dozen other contestants, who were eliminated over the course of 71 days of isolation from the rest of the world and constant surveillance in the “Big Brother” house.

The 10th edition of the show averaged nearly 7 million viewers this summer, the network said.

The new season is to begin in the summer of 2009.

The Australian edition of the reality show “Big Brother” won’t return to Network Ten after its seventh ends this month, the network said.

Ten chief executive Grant Blackley told the BBC his network was “confident this is the right decision at the right time.”

“We are immensely proud of the show and the incredible success it has enjoyed,” programming head David Mott added. “We’re ending the season on a high. ‘Big Brother’ is the undisputed granddaddy of modern, commercial reality television in Australia. Today’s reality dramas have all, on some level, been inspired by ‘Big Brother.’”

Versions of the show, which challenges a group of strangers to live together under one roof and be filmed 24 hours a day, have aired in 40 countries.

A spokeswoman for Endemol, the production company that owns the “Big Brother” format, told the BBC: “It’s by no means being axed. It’s just the contract won’t be renewed for 2009.

So there’s every opportunity for a broadcaster to step in and take over.”

Big Brother’s tenth-season houseguests selected the first Head of Household before they even moved into the house and had an opportunity to communicate during last night’s premiere broadcast of the CBS reality series.

Big Brother 10’s debut began with the 13 houseguests assembling on the steps of the house. Big Brother host Julie Chen then informed them that for the first time, they would be voting for the first HoH on “appearances and gut instinct” only.

Unable to vote for themselves, each houseguest cast his or her HoH vote and Julie revealed that the results would be kept a secret for the time being.

Once inside the houseguests began to introduce themselves to each other, with Jerry differentiating himself due to his age and Renny doing the same with her mouth, as a few of the houseguests found her to be loud.

The houseguests were then instructed to move to the backyard for Big Brother 10’s first competition. The houseguests were told to split into two teams, and since there was an odd number of them, somebody would have to sit out. Jessie nominated himself because he didn’t want his physique to be too imposing too early in the competition.

The move backfired as Julie revealed that the houseguests were playing for their choice of one of two mint-condition classic cars — a 1966 Mustang or a 1969 Camaro.

“It’s one of the most boneheaded things in Big Brother history,” commented Memphis about Jessie’s decision.

Titled “Buggin’ Out,” each team had to work to get everyone on their respective teams up and into their bug and then pull themselves along a pulley to the other end of their “road.” Each time a team reaches one end of the road someone would have to jump out and grab a can of gas. They had to then go to the other side of the road to deposit the gas, but once the houseguest exits, they were out of competition for the prize.

Back inside the house, Julie revealed that Renny had finished second in the HoH vote with a total of three. She was narrowly edged by Jerry, who received 4 votes and became Big Brother 10’s first HoH.

“Being Head of Household should give me the opportunity to have the pick of the litter as far as who I want to go all the way with,” boasted Jerry. “It’s going to make it easier for me to do the things that I want to do.”

Dan and Brian quickly formed an alliance with one another and discussed brining in Ollie as their third. Dan went and explained to Ollie how the three of them should work together and have each other’s backs, and Ollie agreed it was a good decision.

“I think we can ride this to the end,” said Dan.

Jessie and Renny’s bickering didn’t go unnoticed by the other houseguests, as Brian told Dan that if Jerry were to ask for nomination suggestions, he would gladly throw Jessie and Renny’s names out there.

Brian and Jerry began to talk in the HoH room and Jerry quickly got down to business by agreeing that he was willing to work with Brian. However Jerry then suggested Memphis and Dan as his eviction nominations, and Brain showed his cards by requesting Jerry not nominate Dan. Brian suggested Jessie and Renny as eviction targets.

Jerry mulled over the decision because he thought it made sense to eliminate the house’s “conflict” while Brian saw the HoH’s impending decision as the “first test of loyalty.”

The nomination ceremony then commenced, and Jerry put Jessie and Renny on the block.

“I think that my nominations are extremely safe and that those two will self destruct,” commented Jerry in the Diary Room. “I’m proving that I can play the game, I can make decisions and I am here to stay.”

“These nominations were a large victory for Brain,” said Brian, speaking in the third-person. “It shows me I can trust Jerry. I’m definitely pulling the strings right now.”

Big Brother 10’s next episode will air Tuesday at 9PM ET/PT on CBS, with the houseguests competing in the first Power of Veto competition. Then on Wednesday at 8PM ET/PT, CBS will air Big Brother 10’s first live eviction.

The U.S. reality competition series “Big Brother” won’t feature any casting twists in its 10th season, the show’s executive producer said Tuesday.

“Big Brother 10″ is to begin Sunday with original host Julie Chen back to preside over the competition. Following the premiere, the show will be broadcast Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

“To celebrate 10 seasons of ‘Big Brother’ we are going ‘old school’ and returning to the original concept for the show — a group of strangers living together in a house and battling it out for half a million dollars. All 13 house guests have no prior relationship — they are not exes, nor secret couples,” executive producer Allison Grodner said in a statement. “We are also excited to have the most diverse group we have ever assembled. They range in age from 22 to 75, come from all walks of life, and have distinct points of view. This should make for an unforgettable ‘Big Brother’ summer.”

The show follows people living together in a house where they are taped 24 hours a day. One by one, the house guests will vote each other out of the house and, at the end of three months, the last remaining house guest will win the grand prize of $500,000.

CBS has revealed the identities of the 13 houseguests who will be competing on Big Brother’s tenth season, which will premiere Sunday, July 13 at 8PM ET/PT.

“There’s somebody for everyone in this cast,” Big Brother executive producer Allison Grodner told The Associated Press in a Tuesday report. “It’s going to be interesting to see people that come from such opposite worlds living together, which has always been a part of this show, but this season, we really do have our most diverse group ever.”

CBS has also redecorated Big Brother’s two-story house to reflect the diverse age range of the tenth-season’s cast — as its rooms will be themed to different decades, such as the kitchen resembling a 1950s-style diner and a bedroom featuring 1970s-inspired furnishings, according to The AP.

Following its July 13 debut, Big Brother will move into its regular thrice-weekly broadcast schedule — with Tuesday night episodes airing at 9PM ET/PT beginning July 15 and Wednesday night episodes airing at 8PM ET/PT beginning the next night and serving as the tenth-season’s live eviction show. Julie Chen will reprise her hosting role.

Big Brother 10’s 13 houseguests are:

- Michelle Costa, a 28-year-old real estate agent from Cumberland, RI

- Steven Daigle, a 35-year-old geographic consultant and gay rodeo competitor from Dallas, TX

- April Dowling, a 30-year-old finance manager with obsessive-compulsive behaviors from Higley, AZ

- Robert “Memphis” Garrett, a 25-year-old mixologist and party planner from Los Angeles, CA

- Dan Gheesling, a 24-year-old Catholic high school teacher from Dearborn, MI

- Jessie Godderz, a 22-year-old bodybuilder from Huntington Beach, CA

- Brian Hart, a 27-year-old telecommunication account manager from San Francisco, CA

- Gerry MacDonald, a married 75-year-old former Marine and retired marketing executive from Magnolia, TX

- Renny Martyn, a 53-year-old hair salon owner from Metairie, LA

- Bryan Ollie, a 27-year-old marketing sales representative from Bloomington, MN

- Keesha Smith, a 29-year-old Hooters waitress from Burbank, CA

- Angie Swindell, a 29-year-old pharmaceutical sales representative from Orlando, FL

- Libra Thompson, a married 31-year-old human resources representative and mother of three from Spring, TX

Adam Jasiniski was crowned Big Brother’s ninth-season winner during last night’s live finale broadcast of the CBS reality show.

The 29-year-old public relations manager from Del Ray Beach, FL took home Big Brother 9’s $500,000 grand prize on Day 81 by a 6 to 1 jury vote.

“I’ll give to the United Autism Foundation — $100,000 — and help these children with an after-school program,” said Adam when host Julie Chen asked what his plans were for the money.

Ryan Quicksall, a 27-year-old college student from Columbus, OH, was the runner-up and claimed $50,000.

Big Brother 9 jury members Matt McDonald, Natalie Cunial, Sharon Obermueller, Sheila Kennedy, Chelsia Hart and James Zinkand all voted for Adam, while Joshuah Welch was the only person to vote for Ryan.

“I love you guys man, so much. All of you guys,” said Adam after Julie revealed all the jury votes. “Thank you so much for helping me be here.”

Also during last night’s broadcast, home viewers were allowed to vote via CBS’ website for their favorite jury member, with the winner receiving $25,000. James had the most votes and claimed the money while Sheila finished second.

Big Brother’s tenth season is scheduled to premiere Sunday, July 13 at 8PM ET/PT, with Tuesday night episodes airing at 9PM ET/PT beginning July 15 and Wednesday night episodes airing at 8PM ET/PT beginning the next night and serving as the live eviction show.

The first Muslim scheduled to take part in the Australian TV series “Big Brother” has quit the reality show before taping began, a series executive says.

“Brother” executive producer Virginia Hodgson said the unidentified Muslim contestant withdrew from the televised competition for unspecified family reasons, the Melbourne Herald Sun reported in its Sunday edition.

“There isn’t (a Muslim), there was,” Hodgson said. “We had chosen as one of our housemates an Afghani Muslim guy.

“He couldn’t proceed for personal and family reasons. He was potentially a very interesting, different young man.”

The former contestant was supposed to be part of an eclectic and potentially volatile mix of participants in the upcoming new season, Hodgson told the newspaper.

“I think it will be a challenge for them to find common ground,” she said. “We have cast a wider net in terms of age, backgrounds and beliefs — political, cultural, religious.”

Sheila Kennedy was evicted from Big Brother.

The 45-year-old single mom and former Penthouse model from Reseda, CA was evicted from the Big Brother house on Day 77 by final Head of Household Ryan Quicksall, a 27-year-old college student from Columbus, OH.

Sheila’s eviction means that Ryan and Adam Jasinski, a 29-year-old public relations manager from Del Ray Beach, FL, are Big Brother 9’s Final 2 houseguests.

Ryan won the final HOH competition.

Ryan then cast the ninth season’s final eviction vote.

“I think you’re both deserving for different reasons,” said Ryan. “[Sheila], there are reasons outside this house, I feel you could really use the money. You earned your way to the Final 3. Adam, we’ve ran the show a lot of the time here. I think you’re more deserving as far as game play is concerned. I vote to evict Sheila.”

Sheila continued to cry profusely as she gave Ryan and Adam goodbye hugs and exited the house.

“I’m pretty devastated,” a still-crying Sheila said once she was outside the house and being interviewed by Julie. “I thought Adam was going to win this and take me to the end. But Adam really didn’t owe me anything even though we were partnered up at the beginning of the game. I had Adam’s back throughout the whole game… I thought we played a really good game.”

Julie asked Sheila if she felt “proud” making it to the Final 3.

“I feel like that was a blessing to be in the Final 3,” she answered. “But I feel like I’m sort of disappointing my son. I know this was really big to him… Just right now, I can’t even comprehend what’s happening. I’m in shock.”

Big Brother 9’s live finale will air Sunday, April 27 at 8PM ET on CBS, with Sheila, Sharon, Natalie, James, Joshuah, Chelsea and Matt casting their votes for either Ryan or Adam to take home the $500,000 prize.

Sharon Obermueller became the eighth individual houseguest evicted from Big Brother.

The 23-year-old realtor from Olathe, KS was revealed to be evicted from the Big Brother house on Day 76 after she was placed on the chopping block by Ryan Quicksall.

Ryan nominated Sharon for eviction along with Sheila Kennedy, a 45-year-old single mom and former Penthouse model from Reseda, CA, during Sunday night’s broadcast. It was the fifth consecutive time Sharon was nominated for eviction and spared Ryan’s closest ally in the house Adam Jasinski, a 29-year-old public relations manager from Del Ray Beach, FL.

Sharon exited the house and Julie asked why she seemed to be handling her eviction so well.

“I am a little shocked on how it’s turned,” answered Sharon. “But this is a game and they’re going to do whatever they feel is best for them.”

Julie then wondered what happened with her secret alliance with Ryan.

“I think just he had more faith in Adam to go after Sheila and I didn’t think that he was going to do it,” answered Sharon. “I was right. I’m not mad. Of course people are going to want to believe other people. I think that [Ryan] will now realize that he should have listened to me. This might be his game in the end — that he loses. I think they’ll stick together — Adam and Sheila will.”

Once Sharon’s exit interview was over, Ryan, Adam and Sheila began the first challenge in Big Brother 9’s three-part final HoH competition.

The first round of the three part challenge began at the conclusion of last night’s live broadcast and was dubbed “Up a Creek.” Each houseguest attached themselves to boogie boards and had to grab onto a rope. The rules were simple — the last person holding a rope would win round one.

While the first-round and second-round results are already known to both the show’s 24/7 live Internet feed and Big Brother: After Dark viewers, CBS will reveal the winner during tonight’s penultimate Big Brother ninth-season broadcast at 8PM ET/PT on CBS — in which the final HoH will also be crowned live.

Big Brother’s ninth-season finale will then air live on Sunday, April 27 at 8PM ET/PT — with the winner receiving the $500,000 grand prize.

Natalie Cunial was playing too many sides too late in the game, and the 28-year-old bikini barista from Salem, OR became the seventh individual houseguest evicted from Big Brother 9 during last night’s live broadcast of the CBS reality show.

Natalie was revealed to be evicted from the Big Brother house on Day 70 after she was “backdoored” by Big Brother 9’s sixth individual Head of Household Sheila Kennedy, a 45-year-old single mom and former Penthouse model from Reseda, CA.

Sheila won last week’s HoH endurance competition by striking a deal with Natalie and Ryan Quicksall, a 27-year-old college student from Columbus, OH — pledging she wouldn’t nominate either for eviction if they let her win her first HoH.

Natalie cried and said her goodbyes before exiting the house, where she was met by host Julie Chen.

“I really don’t know what happened,” Natalie told Julie. “I really was going to be loyal to those boys and I’m really kind of shocked right now that they let it go a tie and I ultimately was evicted. I’m just in a bit of shock. I was going to be loyal to those boys. All I think I did was strategic. I was kind of playing both sides, but I think that’s probably what cost me my game.”

Natalie added she was “very upset” with Ryan and Adam because both had told her they were going to vote to keep her.

“So I thought for sure I’d be in there,” she said.

Julie asked why once Matt was evicted Natalie seemed to adopt the strategy of playing all sides — including her “Team Christ” alliance — against one another.

“I did that because I just wanted to protect the boys. I didn’t want the girls knowing that I was with the boys,” explained Natalie.

After the eviction the houseguests immediately moved outside to play for this weeks HOH. Ryan correctly answered a tiebreaker question and became the seventh individual HoH — guaranteeing himself a spot in the Final 3.

“Who’s the relationship in the house!?” excitedly asked Adam once the competition was over, and none of the houseguests knew the answer.

Big Brother 9’s next episode will air Sunday, April 20 at 8PM ET/PT on CBS.