New HOH couple James and Chelsia are supposed to be making their nominations today. Lots of stategy talk going on with almost all the houseguests. We'll bring you the new nominations later today.
Food competition is also supposed to be happening today.
Julie Chen in an AOL interview on the new BB9 winter season, 'Till Death Do You Part.'
The Reality Host Dishes on the New Season's Big Twist, Being Bicoastal and Her Robot Alter-Ego
Feb. 11 -- Love will be in the air when the spicy new winter edition of 'Big Brother' debuts. The houseguests will be paired off as couples to compete in the game. Sounds good ... unless they end up hating each other, in which case it sounds even better.
AOL TV's Angel Cohn caught up with bicoastal 'Early Show' and 'Big Brother' host Julie Chen to talk about the hot new twist, who have been her favorite houseguests ... and what she really thinks about the "Chenbot."
It must be taxing to do 'The Early Show' daily in New York and then fly back and forth to Los Angeles weekly for 'Big Brother.' Did you panic when you found out there would be a winter version?
A little bit. When I did the math about when this winter/spring edition will conclude, knowing that we were definitely still doing the summer version, I realized that I physically need all the months from summer to summer to recover. So I did panic. Excited, but panicked.
There were rumors that this would be a shortened season.
I don't think so. We worked it out so it would carry us possibly into the end of April or first week of May. They were thinking of a possible abbreviated version if the writers' strike suddenly ended.
This is also a presidential election year, which is something you cover for your day job. How do you keep it all straight?
It is just so much. There is so much to watch. I feel like any time I'm sleeping I'm missing out on something. It is going to feel that way tenfold when we get to the house.
Do you at least get a cheat sheet of house happenings?
We have hot sheets. When I see it in my Blackberry, it's the highlight of my day. It's like, "So and so and so and so got nominated." "What?!"
Do you have an early favorite houseguest this season?
A couple of people stand out to me. There's something about Allison who is 28 and from Boston. She was very open about her gambling problem and her commitment problem, and she just seemed very human. I was also very impressed by this 24-year-old kid from Staten Island named Alex. He owns his own DJ company and he lost his father [who worked for Cantor-Fitzgerald] on 9/11. His dream is to be successful like his father.
Tell me more about the couples twist.
We have 16 [single] people in the house. They all did personality tests and ... we're pairing them up as couples, and they have to play as couples. If you get nominated, it is as a couple. If you get evicted, it is as a couple. You're getting put with someone who SHOULD be your potential partner, but this is just based on personality tests. You might be with someone who you have nothing in common with. Who knows? But they're forced to play together and sleep in the same bed. It's Valentine's Day! We're playing Cupid.
I was worried this season would lack some sex appeal because it's colder.
That was a concern. We control the temperature in the house, and for the first time ever we had to equip [it] with heat. There used to be a workout room, but that room is now a spa. There's a sauna -- very cozy. You know the bubble that the Miss America contestants go in so they couldn't hear the questions? It's like that. You can fit two people easily. That will be warm. We're heating up the outside pool to 85 degrees. And there is always the Jacuzzi.
So there are still some bikini opportunities.
Trust me. There are some of the houseguests who can't wait to be in a bikini. And one guy --crazy James-- I think he said in his interview, "Who knows? I might just forget about clothing and walk around naked the whole time."
Plus, you have a former Penthouse pet.
We do. Sheila's the oldest of the group. At 45, she's a single mom and I think her son is 17. She has a lot of life experience and stories to tell, like living in the Penthouse mansion and having to compete with other women to be the Penthouse pet. This woman knows about competition.
Do you have a favorite former contestant?
Janelle is so fun to watch. She's cute and full of personality and a fierce competitor and amazing at the game. I liked her honesty and how she'd walk by someone and say "Maggie, you're a bitch" or whatever. [Laughs] Watching her flirt with Will in 'All-Stars' and trying to tempt him, that was very funny. Will in season 2 was interesting to watch because he was so good at manipulating people. He did it in 'All-Stars,' but it wasn't like season 2.
I think in 'All-Stars' he concentrated too much on flirting with you and not on the game.
[Laughs] I wouldn't say that. He was too busy telling Mike Boogie how to play the game. He was the puppet master.
There are rumors of a celebrity edition. Is that a possibility down the road?
I wouldn't rule anything out. It gets harder and harder to put together [because] there are so many other reality shows that cast people we'd want. Maybe, if we could find the right people who hadn't already done 'Celebrity Apprentice,' then find time in their schedules. We wouldn't do it for three months. I don't think any celebrity's schedule would allow that.
Could you live in the 'Big Brother' house?
No. Never. For privacy reasons alone. Having to think every waking moment that you have to compete for something, or you can't trust someone, and you have to watch everything you say ... that would be tough. I wouldn't be able to sleep.
Have you tried the slop?
I have! I like it! I love oatmeal and to me it is like really hearty oatmeal. You just have to get the ratio down of how much water because you don't want it to be gummy.
Which of the CBS reality shows do you think is the toughest: 'Survivor,' 'Big Brother' or 'The Amazing Race'?
That's hard. I want to say 'Amazing Race' because you are partnered up and you really have to be able to travel and be compatible with your partner. Plus the pressure of the 'Race' and the challenges that they face not knowing the language and weird competitions can cause fighting, which can really set you back. Maybe coupling people up this season on 'Big Brother' will even it out a little bit. I always wanted to do a reality show where we take the three [shows] and somehow switch [things] up.
Like you'd host 'The Amazing Race' and Jeff Probst would be on 'Big Brother' duty?
Something weird like that. Where the hosts change or we take the favorites from 'Survivor' and throw them in the 'Big Brother' house.
Will you keep hosting 'Big Brother' forever?
I hope so! The 'Price Is Right' had Bob Barker for 75 years, but they won't want me when I'm 70 years old and hosting it. I've realized over the years, during the 'All-Stars' season, that I was the oldest person, and that was weird for me.
I know the fans poke fun at you, do you care what they are saying?
I hear bits and pieces and it is funny. Like the day my best friend from college told me about the Chenbot, I was like "What?" Because I don't have a whole lot of time to see what they are saying on the internet, how they are making fun of me or what I wore. The Chenbot thing, I think people thought I'd be offended by it, but a lot of people don't know my sense of humor and I thought it was so funny. I bought Chenbot posters and had them framed and have one up in the office. My husband's assistant bought Chenbot mugs because she knew I thought it was funny.
Does it make you self-conscious?
No. Sometimes when we are in rehearsal I'll joke about it. Like, I'll purposely talk [like a robot] and say, "Chenbot can't say that."
AOL Source
Big Brother 9 news---CBS released a press release for the winter season of BB9 starting tomorrow.
The 'important' notes are:
*---First BB9 eviction--February 13, 2008.
*---First live BB9 eviction---February 20, 2008.
*---"House Calls: The Big Brother Talk Show" Returns for Its Fifth Season on CBS.com with Host Gretchen Massey and New Co-Host "Big Brother 8" Winner "Evel" Dick Donato.
*---AMERICA'S VOTE: During the season, fans will have the opportunity to cast impact votes. Fans can send in their votes via text message on most major wireless carriers.
Big Brother 9 schedule:
BIG BROTHER: 'TIL DEATH DO YOU PART broadcast schedule:
Tuesday, Feb. 12
9:00-10:00 PM BIG BROTHER: 'TIL DEATH DO YOU PART (Premiere)
Wednesday, Feb. 13
8:00-9:00 PM BIG BROTHER: 'TIL DEATH DO YOU PART (Time Period Premiere - First Eviction)
Sunday, Feb. 17
8:00-9:00 PM BIG BROTHER: 'TIL DEATH DO YOU PART (Time Period Premiere)
Tuesday, Feb. 19
9:00-10:00 PM BIG BROTHER: 'TIL DEATH DO YOU PART
Wednesday, Feb. 20
8:00-9:00 PM BIG BROTHER: 'TIL DEATH DO YOU PART (Live Eviction)
*The entire three-month live 24/7 Internet feed of BIG BROTHER: 'TIL DEATH DO YOU PART will be available through SuperPass. Subscribers to the 24/7 video stream can watch any one of four live camera feeds from inside the Big Brother house or catch all of the action at once with the special quad-cam view which allows fans to see four different video feeds simultaneously. Subscribers will also have access to an exclusive, subscribers-only Web chat that will allow fans from across the country to converse about what they see live on the feeds. Fans will be able to interact with one another and stay engaged with the show through Big Brother-focused blogs, chat rooms, message boards, weekly polls and other new interactive features.
Watch Big Brother 9 live feeds-two weeks free.
View full CBS press release here
Kimberly Caldwell (from American Idol) was one of the reality hosts to spend 12 hours in the Big Brother 9 House, participating in HOH and POV. Check out her Big Brother experience in this video:
If you haven't signed up for the Big Brother live feeds before or if you're a faithful Big Brother live feed viewer, we just got word from our affiliate that the quarterly special is back!
So, now's the time to sign up so you don' t miss any Big Brother 9 moments! (and yes, you still get the 14 day free trial!)
Big Brother 9 Quarterly
Not sure about the three months? The monthly option is still available here:
Big Brother 9 Monthly
Live feeds are the best way to stay up to date with your favorite Big Brother houseguest, speaking of which, there's a new bb9 houseguest spotlight coming very soon! Stay close!
Big Brother 9 news is a buzzin'! Thanks to tvguide, we all caught an early glimpse of the new Big Brother houseguests before the CBS Early Show 'did it early' this morning.
*The Big Brother 9 cast looks to be a good one! Vote for your favorite here!
*The Official CBS Big Brother 9 site is now up and running--check it out here.
CBS Big Brother 9-official site
*The new Big Brother 9 theme is 'Till Death Do us Part'
*The Big Brother 9 house does have a winter theme--check out the slideshow below.
CBS provided us with a sneak peek of our new Big Brother 9 houseguests---hear what they have to say here:
Cheryl Woodcock, a reporter for The Insider Online, was one of a few journalists to spend 12 hours in the Big Brother 9 house, participating in HOH, POV and other well known BB challenges.
Check out her video here where she lets us in on her Big Brother experience and give us a sneak peek at the new Big Brother 9 house! BB9 House Video
After a few weeks of promoting the Big Brother 9 as 14 houseguests and more secrets than you can count on their bb9 promos, CBS began airing a new commercial last night promoting the number of houseguests to be at 16.
Of course, the rumor mill is running wild as to why.
Perhaps Big Brother 9 USA will indeed follow the path of a previous French version of Big Brother and we'll see our first set of triplets. Secret Story
Either way, we'll know very soon 'who' these new bb9 houseguests are.
With only 9 days until the premiere of Big Brother 9, (only 9 days!)--we'll take this moment to remind you to tune into the second season of Big Brother After Dark airing on Showtime Sho2 February 12, 2008 at 12am/est-3am/est.
After watching BBAD last season, I'd have to say the more interesting times are when there are still quite a few big brother houseguests still in the house. Once the number has dwindled, so does the entertainment. So, be sure and tune in early in the season to see some of the fun.
Last year's cast of Big Brother houseguests brought Zuma, Zuma into the spotlight. Looking forward to seeing what new game and mischief the new batch of BB9 houseguests may bring to the table.
If you don't have SHO2, don't worry! We'll be bringing you some of the best moments from Big Brother After Dark.
Our Big Brother 9 countdown continues tomorrow---but for today,
Happy Superbowl Sunday, Big Brother fans!
Just a reminder that the Big Brother 9 cast will be revealed this week on
The Early Show
Wed, Feb 6, 7:00 AM | Run Time: 120 min.
Genre: News
CC Stereo --'Introducing the ``Big Brother'' cast.'
Set your TIVO or DVR's!
TV Listings
Only ten more days until the premiere of the new season of Big Brother!
Big Brother 9 has been a highly anticipated season by all true big brother fans and former houseguests as well. Kail is hosting a huge premiere partyto ring in the new season of BB9. Other Big Brother Alumni attending are James, Kaysar, Jen, Howie, Nick, Rachel and Jennifer. Now, that is an awesome way to kick of a new season of Big Brother! All big brother addicts know those people by their first name, right?
I, myself, am a 'not at all interested in recovering' big brother addict and have been since day one, season one of Big Brother.
Along with the other Big Brother Insider bloggers here, I'll be watching the new season--live feeds and all---bringing you the best live feed moments (aka water cooler moments to those of us who can't stop talking about Big Brother even at work!)from our new big brother houseguests as they happen. (just like last season)
So stay close! With the announcement of the new Big Brother 9 houseguests coming up this week, (February 6, 2006) things are about to heat up a bit!
Thank you to all of your continued support, encouragement and kind words. We look forward to sharing the Big Brother 9 season with all of you
To bring you up to date on the 'big brother rumors' --
*There are still rumors running that Evel Dick will appear on the winter season of Big Brother 9. We expect as we said before that this will be a role similar to Janelle's role last year. (veto competition host)
*Speaking of Janelle---The latest on Janelle's expanded role on the new season of BB9 is now being said to be 'a segment on Big Brother Showmances'. This information provided by Dreamer from JokersUpates. (bookmark that site, btw!) Source--Jokers
Julie Chen will be announcing the House Guests for Big brother 9 on the CBS Early show on Wednesday, February 6th between 7am and 9 am Eastern Standard time.
Then, things get really start to get interesting for the Big Brother 9 season! Check back for more!
Don't forget!
The Early Show -CBS
Wednesday-February 6,2008
7AM/EST
Source TV Grapevine
New information on the Big Brother 9 House: Source
*The house is extremely colourful.
*The living room and kitchen are decorated like a winter cabin- logs and stones,---to match the winter season.
* White birch mural paper up in the Diary Room!
*The living room sports a circular couch for the bb9 Houseguests.
*The third level is no longer the log wallpaper and is bookshelf wallpaper.
*The HoH room has a surfer theme.
*The other bedrooms have low walls which divide up a little bit of individual space for the big brother houseguests.
*One room has a nautical them!
*The backyard now sports a firepit to keep the HG warm on the frosty winter nights.
*The pool is also heated now.
Are ya ready?
Source
CBS released a couple of videos to get us ready for the winter edition of Big Brother 9, premiering February 12, 2008. (tuesday before Valentine's Day!)---
Enjoy the videos!
"Best Crying Moments"
"Get Grounced"
Note from Julie Chen in the CBS Early Show Newletter:
I am heading out to the West Coast and the Big Brother House today, getting ready for the first-ever winter edition of the show. Even I don't know the twist yet for this season! We premiere on Feb. 12 with all new houseguests, a new house, a new look and of course, that new twist. As we say in "Big Brother," expect the unexpected. I'll try to persuade the team out there to reveal this season's twist on The Early Show, so stay tuned!
Julie Chen
theearlyshow@cbsnews.com
Julie will also be appearing on The Craig Ferguson Show on February 11, 2008. We'll post a reminder on that date.
Added us to your myspace friends yet? We're growing fast--join our BB network and you won't miss a thing!
BB9Insider Myspace for all BB fans
You can view the clip of Julie Chen on Letterman below, however, she didn't say much about the new season. She talked some about the big brother live feeds and how watching the bb houseguests 24 hours a day can be interesting, as you never really know what you're going to see there. (that's an understatement--If you've never watched the live feeds for Big Brother, check it out---it's much more than the three hours a week you see on CBS)
Julie Chen on Letterman from BBLiveWire
Watch Big Brother 9 on SuperPass-free 2 week trial!
Live Feed Features:
*Interact with fans in the largest Big Brother community online
*Live and inside the BB9 House
*Choice of 4 different cameras or spy with all of them at once.
*Community BB9 message boards and blogs
*Relive BB8 with housemate video chats, interviews and more!
Just a reminder Julie Chen will be on The Late Show with David Letterman tonight (February 28, 2008) at 11:35pm on CBS to promote Big Brother 9.
