“Big Brother” is no slouch when it comes to expanding the franchise.
Like “Real Housewives,” the show doesn’t shy away from making stars of the houseguests or reusing them to infinity. Or “The Bachelor.” Or “The Real World.” “The Challenge.” “Flip or Flop.” Really any reality show with a bit of a following.
What “Big Brother” has over a majority of any reality show is the attraction of the live feeds. For what “The Bachelor” spin offs lack in staying power – compared to “The Bachelor” for instance – it more than makes up for by giving fans unfettered access to watch contestants 24/7.
Again, though, “Big Brother” spin offs are limited when put up against the others available.
Below are the two spin offs “Big Brother” tried to make work to varying degrees of success. Note that other shows like “After Dark” and “Off The Block” are more considered companion shows due to their running alongside the seasons as opposed to filling in gaps.
Over The Top
“Over The Top” is exactly the fresh idea the “Big Brother” franchise needed. It took the original format and made it better. Plus, it was fan forward – putting viewers in the shoes of Big Brother.
Viewers were in charge of choosing who won instead of other houseguests. This was helped by the fact that the live feeds were blocked a lot less. They also were given a weekly segment called “America’s Eviction Vote” where viewers were in charge of who stays. Additionally, they had the power to give out care packages, declare Have Nots and even put up a third nominee for eviction.
Fans were able to see the boring but important parts of the show, like unedited first meetings between the houseguests. Competitions were also shown in completion – something that the main show doesn’t do for obvious broadcast reasons.
In 2016 when the show aired following “Big Brother 18,” online exclusive shows weren’t the easiest to find or watch. But “Over The Top” took advantage of the real estate “Big Brother” never had.
Daily recaps were available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays while Wednesdays had a weekly recap and live eviction. Main franchise host Julie Chen Moonves hosted a Thursday live Q&A. Saturdays were reserved for the Have Nots and weekly safety ceremonies, the latter of which also occurred on Sundays which also had live weekly nominations.
Unlike the next iteration of a “Big Brother” spin off, “Over The Top” has not been mentioned since it left the air.
Reindeer Games
“Reindeer Games” was a limited engagement program that was like a shotgun blast of the main show. It featured hosts Derek Xiao, Tiffany Mitchell, and Jordan Lloyd covering nine former favorite houseguests over the course of six weeks. Instead of being evicted by the others, the losers who came in last during “Santa’s Showdown” were ousted.
The winner would take home $100,000.
The prerecorded nature and condensed episode count made for a frantic showcase of “Big Brother.”
Fans enjoyed the intensity of the show, as did contestants. The problem with the show wasn’t dislike among the fanbase; it was lack of broadcast schedule availability.
Franchise producer Rich Meehan told Entertainment Weekly: “Because we started so late this season and CBS’ fall schedule starts so late this season, everything just pushes back. So if there’s not airtime, there’s not much you can do for that.”
Producers want the show to come back just like the viewers do. Franchise producer Allison Grodner added that they enjoyed bringing back alumni.
“We loved doing the show,” she told Entertainment Weekly. “We thought it worked out really, really well. It’s a great way to bring back alumni in a unique manner. While it’s not happening this year, it could resurface.”
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Inside the ‘Big Brother’ Spin Offs: ‘Over The Top’ & ‘Reindeer Games’ Explained