40 Rules You Didn't Know 'Big Brother' Contestants Have to Follow
40 Rules You Didn't Know 'Big Brother' Contestants Have to Follow
For 22 seasons, we've watched in awe and entertainment as a group of strangers live in total isolation together and compete for a $500,000 cash prize on Big Brother. CBS's reality competition show is full of rules and regulations, and we've rounded up the most outrageous and surprising just for you. As the show films an all-star season amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, a few more rules have been implemented—find out more here.
They have to undergo a psychological evaluation.
Before being seriously considered for the show, those who are hoping to be a houseguest must undergo a psychological evaluation and an IQ test. After the tests, the finalist pool is whittled down by half.
They have to pass an in-person interview.
According to Reality Blurred, finalists are flown to Los Angeles for an in-person interview. After this round, they either make it into the house or are sent home.
They have to get tested for STDs.
Although the show's producers don't encourage sexual relationships between houseguests, they know it happens from time to time. To protect contestants from spreading sexually transmitted diseases in the Big Brother house, everyone is tested beforehand.
Being outgoing and adaptable will help you get cast.
There's a certain personality that flourishes on Big Brother. While searching for cast members, producers look for individuals who are "strong willed, outgoing, adventurous, physically and mentally adept, adaptable to new environments, and to have interesting life styles, backgrounds and personalities," according to Reality Blurred.
They have to be ready to start filming on short notice.
A perspective finalist on Big Brother told Reality Blurred that finalists are contacted a week before the camera crews head to the house. According to the contract, they could be notified only 24 hours ahead of time.
They have to have watched at least one season of the show.
Big Brother isn't your typical reality show—it's a competition and producers want to know that prospective houseguests are well versed in the rules of the show and have developed their own strategy to win.
They have to sign an extensive contract.
Every contestant on the show signs a contract that gives producers the right to portray them, their story, and their image in any way they see fit. Essentially, the houseguests forfeit any control they have over their portrayal on TV before they even step foot in the house.
They have to pose for the Memory Wall.
Another rule before entering the house: Each houseguest has to pose for a portrait for the Memory Wall, which helps contestants keep track of current houseguests. After someone is eliminated, their photo fades to black and white, signaling their eviction.
They have to quarantine before entering the house.
Season 22 of Big Brother is being filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, so the show has taken extra safety precautions, including mandatory quarantines before entering the house. Production set up accommodations for the cast to self-isolate in rental homes. "If you ask me, once you're in the Big Brother house, it might be one of the safest places to be," host Julie Chen told Entertainment Tonight.
They have to take COVID-19 tests regularly.
To ensure the houseguests are free and clear of the virus, the show is testing them throughout their stay. "They're getting tested every few days. They will go in once they've been clean and clear for at least 14 days and then even once they get in the house, they're still going to be tested," Chen told Entertainment Tonight.
They're given the show's rulebook upon arrival.
When the contestants first enter the Big Brother house, they're each given a copy of the show's rule books. These rulebooks, as per their contract, are subject to change—with no warning—at the hands of the producers.
They have to agree to being searched.
According to the show's contract, there's a list of approved items each houseguest can bring into the house and any prohibited items are confiscated by production before contestants even step foot inside the house.
They can't bring their phones.
Along with their phones, contestants can't use their email or access the internet during their stay. This ensures that houseguests are as isolated from the outside world as possible—a key part of the show.
They have to cut off all outside contact.
The cast must remain completely sequestered while filming, which means cast members are prohibited from being in contact with friends or family.
They can't leave the house.
Once houseguests arrive at the Big Brother house, if they want to continue participating in the competition, they can't leave the house, unless they're evicted.
They can't shop for their own groceries.
Since the houseguests aren't allowed to leave the house, production organizes the house's groceries to be delivered each week. This practice will continue in season 22, with the additional step of the groceries being disinfected for the houseguests.
They have to agree to eating slop.
On Big Brother, one punishment houseguests can receive is being forced to eat slop after losing a competition. The oatmeal-like food made its first appearance in season 7 and has continued to be a staple on the show.
They can't whisper in the house.
Although it seems like a hard thing to enforce, houseguests are forbidden from whispering while filming in the house, because it's hard to capture this audio on microphones.
Their interactions with producers are restricted.
During a normal season, the producers have limited access to the houseguests and are only allowed to speak to one another in the Diary Room. For season 22, producers are taking extra precautions. "We produce this behind the walls. They only hear our voices. They don't really see us throughout their stay in the Big Brother house," executive producer, Allison Grodner told Entertainment Tonight.
They can't discuss nominations with other housemates.
Each week, houseguests are selected to nominate their fellow contestants for eviction. After being selected to nominate that week, the contestant has to do so privately and cannot discuss their choices with anyone beforehand.
They have to give an interview after being evicted.
While it may be unpleasant, this interview is included in the cast's contract. After receiving the eviction news, said houseguest is interviewed by host Julie Chen.
They have to agree to being filmed 24/7.
Thanks to surveillance video cameras and audio scattered across the house, the houseguests are filmed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If privacy is important to you, we don't recommend going on Big Brother.
That includes being filmed in the bathroom.
Big Brother has over 100 cameras rolling at all times, including in the bathrooms, SF Gate reports. Apparently, this footage is aired and is only used for producers to make sure houseguests aren't colluding together.
They must wear a microphone at all times.
The houseguests are around each other 24/7, so in order to catch everything that's said they're required to wear a microphone at all times. Again, zero privacy.
They can't be employed during filming.
Due to the nature of the show, there's no way houseguests can continue to work while being on Big Brother. Contestants must commit to the entire 96 day filming schedule before joining the show and take a leave of absence or quit their job beforehand.
They do get paid to be on the show.
While working towards the big prize, a 2011 contestant contract on Reality Blurred revealed that the contestants earned $750 per week.
They're allowed to make alliances.
Throughout the 22 seasons, the show has seen plenty of bonds formed between competitors, which often leads to teams making it to the final four.
They can't threaten or physically harm another contestant.
When the competition heats up, things can turn ugly. However, the show has a strict no violence policy and any action or threat of action is punishable by eviction.
Offensive remarks are also grounds for elimination.
While the mental and physical safety of houseguests is important to producers, they also have to look out for the emotional well-being of the viewers who are watching. That's why, per their contract, contestants can't spread hateful or offensive language on air.
They can't damage the house.
No matter how dramatic the house gets, the contestants can never cause damage to the house itself or filming equipment.
They don't have control over the house's utilities.
Reality Blurred detailed that Big Brother contracts state that producers have the ability to ration water and control all power and utilities in the house.
They have to compete in some lengthy challenges.
The show's competitions are notoriously difficult, with one endurance challenge lasting for 14 hours. The challenges and tasks are compulsory for all houseguests and they must compete each week.
They may be chosen to be the Head of Household.
One houseguest per week becomes the Head of the Household, which is decided by a competition among the contestants. This person gets total power and control over the house and they also have to nominate two houseguests for eviction that week.
The Head of Household title comes with perks.
Houseguests are clamoring to earn the title of HoH, as it means moving into your own private suite with video surveillance of the whole house.
They can't be the Head of Household two weeks in a row.
At the end of the week, you must relinquish the title. However, there's no limit to how many times you can become the HoH.
They have to be okay with being woken up by music.
According to a former contestant, the producers blast pop songs to wake up the houseguests each morning. "It could be any time between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. You have to wake up to change your mic pack out, and then once you do that, you can go back to bed if you want," Andy Herren told HuffPost.
No ties are allowed.
During the show's weekly competitions, if there are any ties between contestants, a tiebreaker round takes place. This is because there can't be two HoHs at one time.
They can't argue against a producer's decision.
In the cast's contract it states that the show's producers are not to be questioned and that all decisions are final. This prevents houseguests from arguing against an eviction or other decisions.
The winner receives a cash prize.
The $500,000 cash prize is reason enough for plenty of contestants to stick around in the Big Brother house.
They can't speak about the show afterward.
Former houseguests are required to stay tight-lipped on all details of the production for three years, as per a confidentiality agreement they sign before joining the show. If you break this rule, you're subject to a hefty damages fine.
Including the new ones put in place for the current season.