Big Brother Over the Top: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
|In August 2016 it was revealed that CBS would attempt a fall verosion of Big Brother. It would be online, and only available to All-Access subscribers. As Big Brother fans, we were excited but cautious.
The one winter season of Big Brother made us worried about seeing a repeat of that one. However, the more details got released, the more excited we got to experience Big Brother Over the Top. Being able to pick between Jason Roy and Jozea Flores also started our investment in the series early.
However, the further Big Brother Over the Top developed, the more we weren’t sure we enjoyed this new show. Now that Big Brother Over the Top nears its end, let’s analyze the stuff we liked, disliked, and hated about Big Brother Over the Top.
The Ugly
Let’s start with the really bad part of the series first.
Anyone who uses social media knows that Big Brother fans can be very intense. However, we have never seen an intensity like the Big Brother Over the Top fandom.
If you supported the Ball Smashers, fans would call you racist, homophobic, ignorant and all kinds of names. If you support the Late Night Jamboree, you could find yourself being accused of being sexist, hating women, and hypocrisy. Some fans just took all of the joy out of Big Brother. It turned this lighthearted reality show into a much darker thing that it didn’t need to become.
To add even more fuel to the flame, some of the evicted houseguests became just as bad as the fans. They would attack fans who disagreed with them. They would encourage hate and even spread false lies about the other houseguests. It was like Big Brother Over the Top had became some type of Jerry Springer-level destructive program, but without the fun.
The Bad
The main reason Big Brother Over the Top became so volatile was the fan voting. The more invested fans became in the outcome of the game, the more ruthless, reckless, and cruel they became to anyone who didn’t share their views.
Without the fan voting, we may not have seen so much drama within the fan community. Even just a little changes in how much fans could voting on could have defused some of the conflict.
The voting also became a topic of discussion because production failed to completely lay out all the rules during certain votes. There was also last minute rule changes, and then changing those rules. There have always been people crying ‘rigged,’ but Big Brother Over the Top heard a lot more of those cries. And it was all because some sloppiness on the part of production.
The Good
Despite the glaring negative aspects of Big Brother Over the Top, there was a few positive things about it.
Overall, the Big Brother Over the Top cast had a lot of potential. Minus Whitney Hogg, the Ball Smashers was a very solid alliance and proved that an all female alliance can work and be likable. Justin Duncan never fully embraced the game aspect of BBOTT, but he was entertaining for most of the show.
Shelby Stockton was one of the most interesting characters from the season by being entertaining, strategic, and controversial. Prior to BBOTT, Jason Roy was a very likable houseguest. It was interesting to see his darker side this season, even if I didn’t enjoy it.
Scott Dennis was one of the more ruthless Big Brother superfan nerds. He was a quirky character to watch.
We can go on and on listing positive traits about various cast members, even those that we didn’t like. So we definitely believe that the casting went in the right direction for BBOTT.
We enjoyed seeing all the competitions and ceremonies play out live. It added to the drama and intensity. You felt the devastating losses as they happened, or you got to cheer when your favorites pulled out a major victory.
My Overall Impression:
At the moment, I do not expect Big Brother Over the Top to get renewed. However, if it does, I would have to take some time to decide if I wanted to deal with the drama of the show again. I love Big Brother‘s regular edition, and enjoyed some aspects of this one a lot.
However, the intensity of the fanbases just became draining. It almost became like a chore to watch the feeds. But never say never, Big Brother‘s original first season wasn’t exactly perfect, so I would be open to another season, as long as changes were made.
What was your overall impression of Big Brother Over the Top? Would you watch another season?
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This is very interesting commentary, Jerrica! I agree with most of your observations, too. I honestly hope there is another all-online BB as long as they tweak it just a bit. Although I definitely liked having a say in the game as a fan, I think America had too much power. And I think you’re probably right that that control lead to the “over the top” vitriol by the fans. Whether intentional or accidental, some of the changes they made for this season were definitely improvements, IMO (a less than gorgeous household and some comps we’d never seen because they were economical, to name two). And I loved the lack of frustrating fishes and Jeff loops (I KNOW Cat was pleased with that last one!). I also liked the fact that the hgs didn’t always know what was coming next – because of the new twists and because even the superfans had never seen some of these comps.
They should try an all-vet online BB season, with all new comps, and shorten the season by at least 10 days to keep the strategizing to a maximum! (Of course, America’s influence will have to be limited or the vets’ fans will get out of control quick!)
Fans have proven they can’t be trusted with so much power. It becomes a popularity contest. Especially with a vet thrown into the mix. Some say the vet has a disadvantage coming into the game simply because they ARE a vet, know the game and therefore seen as a major threat. Others think the vet has an advantage because they come in with a firm fan base. Also being supported by other vets via Twitter or Facebook leads to more fans because of a particular vets support. I fall into the second category. There should be a level playing field right from the start. That includes doing away with the twin/sister twists as well as the inclusion of a vet. ANY vet. Enough already! These hgs were capable of giving us a good show on their own. We don’t need “extras” to keep us interested. Just a good old fashioned strategy filled game. I guess i’m a purist where BB is concerned. Especially when it comes to the DR. Earlier seasons were much less scripted. Hgs talked TO us instead of talking AT us. THIS is what i appreciated most about this season. The raw, unfiltered DRs. I’ve slowly come to dislike the CP twist. Even when it helps my favorite hg. What’s the point in having a strategy when fans just give your opponent the ability to negate your HOH or your Veto win? We don’t need that because things change on a dime in the house and therefore a hg must adjust accordingly. Let things play out as they may.
This season was an experiment. A good one. With good intentions. But BB must stop going to extremes. Fans have gone from having no input to having the game in the palm of their hands. There’s a middle ground and they need to find it. I think we may see one more online season. One more kick at the Cat before BB decides to punt this idea into oblivion.
Excellent insight, as per usual. I hope there is one more season, especially if they tweak it. Of this I am certain: Whether or not there is another online season of BB will depend ENTIRELY on whether it makes money. I’m an unapologetic capitalist, so I don’t fault that, but BB has demonstrated their desire to ONLY make money, however they interpret is the best way to make it, fans be d*mned.
Julie’s take on the season. Can’t say i totally agree with her.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/big-brother-top-finale-julie-chen-interview-951874?utm_source=twitter&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral
Finally read that interview. She LIKES showmances and thinks we hate it when others fall in love?!?! No, I hate it when people who barely know each other have sexual encounters on a live program. I also hate it when inconsiderate hgs chew food with their mouths open. Just shows a lack of class, IMO. Her favorite part of BBOTT is America’s power? Hmmmm. I agree with her that it totally changed the game, but not always in a good way. I also liked that even the super fans didn’t always know what was coming; new comps. Maybe she can talk to her hubby about improving access, though!
Sent from my iPad