Big Brother Germany
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Big_Brother_Germany".

Big Brother Germany is a reality show on RTL II (with a 24h live broadcast on German pay channel Premiere). It was the first adapted version based on the original Dutch Big Brother series by Endemol in 2000.

Big Brother Germany summary

A group of people (called the Housemates) live together in an isolated house. 24 hours a day their life is recorded by hidden cameras in all the rooms in the House. They don't have TV, Internet, newspapers, even watches on their hands. The Housemates are completely isolated from the outside world. Every round, each of them must enter the Diary room and nominate one or two of his fellow housemates for public eviction. The 2 or more housemates with the most votes get nominated. Usually for one a week the audience has to decide which of them gets evicted, voting via SMS or phone calls. Every housemate is also allowed to leave the house voluntary whenever she/he wants. In this case a replacement is going to enter the competition.

In the final round of each season, the viewers vote for which of the remaining people in the House should win the prize money and getting crowned as the winner of the show.

Changes of the Concept

Since the start of its first season in February 2000 Big Brother Germany went through numerous changes in its concept. Here are some significant examples of the progress of modifying the rules of the original game:

• "10 housemates live together in one house.": increased in season 2 to 12 housemates.

• "One housemates leaves the house forever when he/she gets evicted.": changed in season 2 with letting the first evictee return to the show.

• "Only the housemates have to decide which of them gets nominated.": changed in season 2 with automatically putting all housemates up for eviction in the final week. Besides in season 7 the viewers could decide which of them gets nominated. (Only 1 time)

• "None of the housemates know each other before entering the house.": changed in season 3 with a love-couple entering the house.

• "The prize money is a certainty": changed in season 4 with letting the final four housemates doing challenges and giving them a quarter of the original prize money for every succeeded challenge.

• "The complete household lives together in one group": changed in season 4 with dividing the house into two parts with a "rich" and a "poor" area and splitting the household into two competing teams (that was changed in season five to three different teams).

• "All the housemates live together in one house": changed in season 6 with building a whole "Big Brother village" including five houses and a farm.

• "The show runs for three months": changed in season 5 with expanding the show to one year and in season 6 when the show was to run indefinitely (see below).

• "The show is supposed to run for a certain time": changed in season 6 with the announcement that the show would run as long as the ratings were acceptable (it actually lasted 363 days).

• "Only the winner receives prize money": changed in season 6 with the creation of three different areas for the housemates where they had work and earn money, which was given to them when they got evicted (housemates who left the house voluntary didn't receive any money).

• "The housemates get no information from outside": changed in season 5 where the housemates were allowed to watch the RTL2 News after winning a game and in order to learn about a terrorist attack.

• "The housemates don't get letters from their family and friends or meet them while inside the house.": changed in season 5 where some housemates got letters/visits from outside as rewards for winning games.

Series

Season 1 (28/02/2000 - 09/06/2000)

The original season of Big Brother Germany started to on 28 February 2000 and lasted 102 days until 9 June 2000. Ten original and three additional housemates lived in the house. John Milz crowned as the very first winner of Big Brother Germany.

Housemates

Nominations

Season 2 (16/09/2000 - 31/12/2000)

Lasted from 16 September 2000 to 31 December 2000. 12 original and five additional housemates lived in the house. Alida Kurras won the season. The title song was performaned by Berger called "Zeig mir dein Gesicht! (Show me your face!)". On average this remains the most successful season of Big Brother Germany for now.

Housemates

Nominations

Season 3

Lasted from 27 January 2001 to 12 May 2001. 12 original and two additional housemates lived in the house. The third season is already a scarce month after the end of the second season starts. Also on board were again moderators from Season II, and also RTL and RTL II, the concept of this third season is different compared to the previous only slightly. The building is the same again and was only slightly modernized. News from the big brother get the housmates now have a large flat screen in the dining area. New this season were also two wildcards on the weekly task, which prior to the start of the weekly task had to be made. It was the weekly task successfully, the residents were permitted for a week in pure luxury swimming. It was the weekly task is not successfully completed, and before the Joker, was in the following week a drill instructor in a guest house and the residents had with the bare essentials shortfall. Also new was a set of Big Brother mole, on the instructions of Big Brothers acted in the house and had created tension. Played was the mole by the housmate Silvia. Shortly before the end of season, the people informed and Silvia left the house. It is the first time a pair in the house confiscated. As a profit this time waved DM 300,000 (about 153,000 euros), which the housmate Karina Schreiber won. As a pet kept the residents the domestic pig Conrad. The title song "Nur die Wahrheit zählt (Only the thruth matters)" from Ayman & Naima.

Season 4

Copying the "Battle"-format from the Netherlands, the season last from 31 March 2003 to 7 July 2003 for 98 Days, making it the shortest season on BB Germany. Eight housemates entered the house on Day 1 with 11 more contestants joining them throughout the season after these intruders lived together on a secret place called "the exile" on Majorca. There were two areas, one "poor" and one "rich" area. When one team won a match, they moved to the rich area and the other had to go to the poor area. The season was won by Jan Geilhufe. The title song of the season was performend by Olli P., who would eventually become the host in the next season, called "Alles ändert sich (Everything changes".

Housemates

• Jan (winner)
• Nadja (1st runner-up)
• Holger (2nd runner-up)
• Gabriel (3rd runner-up)
• Nadine (13th evicted)
• Sava (12th evicted)
• Kai (11th evicted)
• Hella (10th evicted)
• Lucie (9th evicted)
• Clemens (8th evicted)
• Botho-Kay (7th evicted)
• Petra (6th evicted)
• Khadra (5th evicted)
• Ulf (4th evicted)
• Larissa (3rd evicted)
• Carla (2nd evicted)
• Gabriella (1st evicted)
• Marc (Voluntary Exit on Day 7)
• Michel (Voluntary Exit on Day 5)

Nominations

Season 5

This time the season lasted for an entire year. The Housemates lived in a house with 3 areas. Rich, Normal and Survivor. Every week the housemates must compete in challenges. Some of these challenges included jumping from a flying helicopter into water. At the begginging of the last two months, the survivor area was used as a punishment zone. The title song this season, "Alles was du willst (Everything You Want)" by Lex. Sascha won the prize of 1,000,000 euros

Housemates

Season 6

Creating a new farmet called "Big Brother - Das Dorf / The Village" the season turned out to not attract the viewers and was cancelled after 363 days (running from 1 March 2005 to 26 February 2006). 61 contestants lived in the village. Season six should be endless, but it finished at 26 February. There were to winners in summer 2005, Giuseppe won 250,000€ and in February 2006, Andreas Knopf won 250,000. Each housemate could win money, because for every match they had, they could win money. When they left the house, they got the money. In season six, there was a market place. Around this place were the houses and the workshops, where they had to work to earn money. There were three areas, a "Survivor" House, a "Normal" house and a "Rich" house.

The series was intended to run indefinitely and drew comparions to The Truman Show 1. Producer, Rainert Laux, said 'We hope couples will get pregnant and family groups will interact with all the usual family frictions.' There were concerns from professionals about the psychological effects on contestants. 2

Housemates

• Bernadettè (October 23, 1967), dated March 1, 2005 to 14 March 2005-14 March 2005 in the village, rausgewählt 75 € In March 2005 in the village rausgewählt 75 €
• Sven (Charly) (* June 1 1963), of 14 Sven (Charlie) (June 1, 1963), dated March 14, 2005 to 17 In March 2005 to March 17, 2005 in the village, Rausnahme (KISS - tattoo) 0 €
• Tim (Tim Toupet) (* October 28 1971), from 1 March 2005 to 18 March 2005 in the village, voluntarily went 0 €
• Gregor (* 19 June 1982), 7 March 2005 to 27 March 2005 in the village, voluntarily went 0 €
• Said (* 5 December 1984), from 1 March 2005 to 4 April 2005 in the village, rausgewählt 420 €

Leyla * (* August 6 1984), from 1 March 2005 to 9 April 2005 in the village, voluntarily went 0 €

• Marcel (* 13 May 1980), 21 March 2005 to 18 April 2005 in the village, rausgewählt 0 €
• Juanita Diana (* 12 February 1978), from 1 March 2005 to 1 May 2005 in the village, rausgewählt € 3293.77
• Dinorah-Cecilia (* 16 September 1984), 28 March 2005 to 8 May 2005 in the village, rausgewählt 1625 €
• Ali (* June 26 1983), 15 May 2005 to 16 May 2005 in the village, Volunteer (throw out) 0 €

Ludger * (* January 31 1966), 21 March 2005 to 22 May 2005 in the village, rausgewählt 3290 € Marion * (* October 17 1972), 21 March 2005 to 22 May 2005 in the village, voluntarily went 0 €

• Sarah (Shire) (* January 26 1977), 11 April 2005 to 29 May 2005 in the village, rausgewählt 1737 €
• André (born December 30, 1973), from 1 March 2005 to 29 May 2005 in the village, rausgewählt € 6328.50
• Anna (* 14 October 1985), 7 March 2005 to 5 June 2005 in the village, rausgewählt 6814 €

Norman Magolei * (* June 14 1979), from 1 March 2005 to 19 June 2005 in the village (I. village mayor), rausgewählt 13,399 € Melanie * (* February 10 1975), 29 May 2005 to 29 June 2005 in the village, voluntarily went 0 € Anke * (* 3 October 1982), 27 May 2005 to 3 July 2005 in the village, rausgewählt 1280 € Thorsten * (* 21 April 1984), 28 March 2005 to 10 July 2005 in the village, rausgewählt € 14960.77

• Sylvia (born 21 January 1985), 11 April 2005 to 17 July 2005 in the village, rausgewählt € 6217.50

Sharon * (* November 25 1979), 8 May 2005 to 24 July 2005 in the village, rausgewählt 4616 €

• Anastasja (Franco) Anja (* May 17 1976), of 17 July 2005 to 24 July 2005 in the village, voluntarily went 0 €

Cathleen * (* 11 March 1981) of 3 July 2005 to 21 August 2005 in the village, rausgewählt € 7325.01

• Alex Spirit (* June 12 1973), 19 June 2005 to 21 August 2005 in the village, rausgewählt € 7844.99
• Nicole (* 10 June 1983), of 14 August 2005 to 24 August 2005 in the village, voluntarily went 0 €
• Parsifal, (* February 8 1969), from 1 March 2005 to 28 August 2005 in the village
• Benjamin (* 11 April 1980), of 14 August 2005 to 4 September 2005 in the village, rausgewählt 1771 €
• Martin (* January 7 1983), of 14 August 2005 to 4 September 2005 in the village, rausgewählt € 1419.75
• Martin (Nugy) (* August 5 1972) of 3 July 2005 to 4 September 2005 in the village, rausgewählt € 5574.00
• Frank (father of Ginny) (* April 18 1967), 24 July 2005 to 4 September 2005 in the village, rausgewählt 4062 €
• Nina Francesca (* 2 December 1984), 5 June 2005 to 2 October 2005 in the village, rausgewählt 17,359 €
• Bettina Zimmermann (* October 24 1977), of 14 March 2005 to 9 October 2005 in the village, rausgewählt € 37129.75

Danni * (* January 29 1981), 10 July 2005 to 13 October 2005 in the village, voluntarily went 0 €

• Jessie (born 15 April 1983), 25 September 2005 to 16 October 2005 in the village, rausgewählt 904 €
• Daniela (* 12 June 1975), from 1 March 2005 to 30 October 2005 in the village, rausgewählt € 28953.75
• Beate Sauer (twin by Birgit) (* May 1 1960), 25 September 2005 to 6 November in the village, lost Gong Challenge 3276 €

Yousef * (* July 9 1973), 22 May 2005 to 13 November 2005 in the village, rausgewählt 20,162 € Jasmin * (* August 28 1983), 6 November 2005 to 15 November 2005 in the village in 2005, voluntarily went 0 € Heike * (* May 15 1964), 25 September 2005 to 27 November 2005 in the village, rausgewählt 2656 € Farah * (* July 6 1979), of 17 November 2005 to 28 November 2005 in the village, voluntarily went 0 €

• Christopher (* 8 December 1984), of 30 October 2005 to 4 December 2005 in the village, rausgewählt 2185 €

Sascha * (* 27 August 1975), 25 September 2005 to 18 December 2005 in the village, rausgewählt 12,793 € Larissa * (* 13 January 1984), 27 November 2005 to 1 January 2006 in the village, rausgewählt 1712 €

• Giuseppe Pellegrino (* July 10 1983), from 1 March 2005 to 8 January 2006 in the village, rausgewählt 281,734 €
• Birgit (twin by Beate) (* May 1 1960), 25 September 2005 to 15 January 2006 in the village, rausgewählt 12,869 €

Bianca * (* August 28 1973), 5 December 2005 to 22 January 2006 in the village, rausgewählt 1837 €

• Janice Behrendt (* 23 September 1983), 8 January 2006 to 23 January 2006 in the village, voluntarily went 0 €

Gerry * (* October 7 1970), from 1 January 2006 to 29 January 2006 in the village, throwing out because of nomination arrangement, 0 € Marco Wirges * (* 16 January 1974), 24 April 2005 to 29 January 2006 in the village, rausgewählt 35,525 €

• Virginia (Gina) (* October 24 1985), from 1 March 2005 to 5 February 2006 in the village, rausgewählt € 37324.50
• Michelle (* 6 January 1987), 2 October 2005 to 12 February 2006 in the village, rausgewählt € 9166.80
• Ivan (* 19 June 1980), 4 December 2005 to 19 February 2006 in the village, rausgewählt € 2376.80

Manuela * (* June 27 1974), 18 December 2005 to 19 February 2006 in the village, rausgewählt € 3309.80 Heike * (* October 20 1978), 18 October 2005 to 26 February 2006 in the village, Halbfinalistin 7805 €

• Torsten Henry (* October 7 1979), 13 November 2005 to 26 February 2006 in the village, semi-finalist in 8265 €
• Ginny (daughter of Frank) (* May 10 1986), 24 July 2005 to 26 February 2006 in the village, Halbfinalistin € 27705.75
• Denis (* 16 December 1979), 16 October 2005 to 26 February 2006 in the village, 3 € 13,193 square finals solarium + 1 (worth about 30,000 €)
• Thomas Peter (* March 2 1980), 29 May 2005 to 26 February 2006 in the village (II village mayor), 2 € 35,473 square-finals
• Michael (* March 13 1971), 25 September 2005 to 26 February 2006 in the village, 1 € 267,443 square-finals

Season 7

After a year break the producers decided to return with a "Back to the rules"-format for BB Germany's newest season with 12 housemates living together in one house. The season is supposed to run for 148 days (airing since 5 February 2007). In season seven, the housemates had to earn the prize! For every match, they won, they got money for the "Jackpot" the maximum money could be 250,000€, which the winner (Michael) got on 2 July 2007.

In this season, there are 8 original housemates. At later stages, 9 new housemates entered the house. Here are all the participants:

• Michael (34) - WINNER on Day 148
• Sonja (20) - Runner-up on Day 148
• Kathrin (32) - 3rd place on Day 148 (Walked out on Day 57 / Re-entered on Day 71)
• Leon (22) - 4th place on Day 148
• Knubbel (45) - 5th place on Day 148 (Entered on Day 50)
• Janine (20) - Evicted on Day 141 (Entered on Day 64)
• Eddy (28) - Evicted on Day 127
• Basti (24) - Evicted on Day 120
• Doreen (23) - Evicted on Day 106 (Entered on Day 50)
• Oliver (30) - Evicted on Day 92 (Entered on Day 3)
• Sinan (29) - Evicted on Day 78 (Entered on Day 22)
• Sheila (19) - Walked out on Day 71 (Entered on Day 5)
• Ines (31) - Evicted on Day 64 (Entered on Day 5)
• Natasha (25) - Evicted on Day 57 (Entered on Day 36)
• Jeannine (24) - Evicted on Day 50 (Entered on Day 3)
• Anna (31) - Evicted on Day 36
• Christian (26) - Evicted on Day 22

Season 8 (07/01/2008 - 07/07/2008, 183 Days)

Concept

As the other seasons of Big Brother Germany, the eighth season was broadcast on RTL 2, where in a daily show the previous day's events were summarized. In a weekly live show, hosted by Charlotte Karlinder, Miriam Pielhau and Jürgen Milski, nominations and evictions were held. Usually the housemates nominated each other with the viewers voting for eviction of a nominee (by phone). Additionally, the 24-hour live TV channel was brought back and was again offered by Premiere for 15 € a month.

The Big Brother house was divided into two areas: rich and poor. The rich area, holding 6 housemates, was luxurious with comfortable furniture, a wide range of food and beverages, sufficient cigarette supplies and alcoholic drinks (beer, wine, champagne). The poor area, also inhabited by 6 housemates, on the other hand was equipped like a canteen kitchen. The food supplies were rather poor with limited cigarette supplies and usually no alcoholic beverages. Both areas were separated by a small wall, which wasn't allowed to be crossed and over which no "smuggling" was allowed. A spiral staircase, used by both teams, lead to the upper floor which held the bedrooms. While the rich area's bedroom had luxurious double beds, the poor team's bedroom contained an operating-table-like structure, on which the housemates slept in sleeping bags.

From time to time (usually during the weekly live show) there were matches in which both teams competed against each other, resulting in the winning team changing into or continuing to live in the rich area. In additional matches teams could compete for rewards (e.g. a large plate with burgers and fries, being able to play Wii in a separated room, etc.).

The winner of this season won 250,000 €. The season's theme song was "Choose to be me" by Sunrise Avenue

Housemates

Guests

Season 9

Casting for Season 9 began in June 2008. The edition will begin on Monday 8th December 2008. The 9th Season will only be hosted by Miriam Pielhau.

Links

• Official homepage
• All profiles if the housemates season 1 to 4 (german)
• BBC News "German Big Brother to run and run"
• Guardian Unlimited "Big Brother builds 'Truman Show' village"
• BBC News "Big Brother to end early"

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