As a dedicated Big Brother fan with countless hours spent watching the game unfold since its inception, I can confidently say that being designated a Have-Not is a dreaded fate for any houseguest. The thought of spending a week eating slop, sleeping in subpar conditions, and taking cold showers is enough to make even the most hardened competitor shudder. However, after speaking with Rich Meehan and Allison Grodner, I’ve come to appreciate why this tradition has persisted despite its limited screen time.
In my experience, having been a long-time fan of Big Brother, being designated as a Have-Not during the 2024 TV season is arguably the most unfavorable situation in the game. Unfortunately, the Houseguests who draw this unfortunate lot must endure a week of subsisting on unappetizing food, living in less than ideal conditions in the Have-Not Rooms, and taking chilly showers until their week passes. Despite receiving less airtime during episodes nowadays, it remains a significant aspect of the game. However, I was reassured by Big Brother’s Executive Producers that they might consider making changes to this tradition, offering a glimmer of hope for an update in the future.
Rich Meehan and Allison Grodner recently discussed with Entertainment Weekly about the successful Season 26 and future plans. Given that they are considering a significant modification to the game’s format, it was logical to inquire if other aspects might also undergo changes. To begin with, Meehan clarified why conversations among Have-Nots rarely appear on episodes, particularly compared to earlier seasons of Big Brother:
We discuss it throughout each season, but due to the abundance of events now in this current era of Big Brother, we don’t have the chance to delve deeply into the narrative. There’s an overwhelming amount happening both game-wise and strategically, and in earlier times, it wasn’t as dynamic as it is now, so there was more time to explore that storyline.
In earlier seasons of Big Brother, food challenges were incorporated into some episodes, determining the weekly groceries for the house. This was an entertaining aspect, and I’d be thrilled if it made a comeback in future seasons. However, according to Rich Meehan’s comments, it seems there might not be enough time in the episodes to focus on this feature.
If we don’t point out the individuals who face the “Have-Not” condition and who are missing out, what’s the purpose of doing so? As Rich Meehan noted, there’s a sound rationale for maintaining this aspect in Big Brother, even though only viewers following the live feeds are aware of the weekly punishments.
The duality between having and not having in the house seems to resonate profoundly, influencing players’ emotions and shaping the psychology of the game. We’ve retained this aspect for that reason, despite it not being actively used on our show. However, we’ve pondered over potential fresh perspectives; I’m just unsure if there’s a new angle to explore.
While I wish the Have-Nots could vanish, I concur with Rich Meehan. Being a Have-Not is essential in the Big Brother game, and if you aspire to win, you should be willing to experience being a Have-Not at least once. Those who refuse will likely find themselves frequently nominated and may get eliminated for failing to make necessary sacrifices to support others.
Indeed, Allison Grodner noted that the Have-Not situation became significant in the storyline of Big Brother 26. Even Brooklyn Rivera was taken aback when her plot revolved around sharing Angela Murray’s charcuterie board since Angela couldn’t. Despite the humor surrounding this incident, it might have guaranteed a three-season run for the Have-Nots due to the intense online discussions about it.
Rich Meehan and Allison Grodner have talked about various topics since Big Brother Season 26, one of which is the cancellation of Reindeer Games this holiday season. The upside is that it was due to a lack of available time in CBS’ winter schedule, suggesting a possible comeback in 2025. Additionally, there seems to be a high probability of more Have-Nots being introduced in 2025; however, we’ll need to stay tuned for official confirmation.
This summer, CBS is bringing back “Big Brother” for its 27th season. You can catch up on previous seasons by streaming them on Paramount+, or you can tune in to Pluto TV’s 24/7 channel to watch the past seasons with ads at no cost.
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2024-11-13 22:37