Big Brother Reindeer Games

What happens when you open a candy cane? You start sucking on it. The sweetness is a festive treat, but the longer you suck on, you realize it's more of a chore to get through. You realize why they're not around all year.

When the WGA and Actors caused a strike in 2023, CBS was scrambling for programming. Multiple game shows and extended reality series flooded the channel, plus repeats of "Yellowstone". As "Big Brother 25" was finishing up, the execs at CBS were brainstorming on what else they could air. Another season of "Big Brother"? "How 'bout this? It's the holidays soon, "Big Brother: Reindeer Games", the exec suggested.

Well, here we are. It's a familiar game, but it's not quite the same. The cast members don't live in the house. There's no live feeds. No live episodes. It's a more condensed series. Yeah, they play games, and they talk to the camera. It's a little familiar.

Under these circumstances, it's unfair to come down hard on this show. There wasn't much time to get this show to work, and not much prep time.

For being a limited series, which may not return, I find it important, still, to try to like the cast. Unfortunately, not being familiar with the previous seasons, besides 25, familiarity won't be a factor to me. I didn't enjoy all the players, and for a reality show, that's normal, but the players on this show were on here for such a short time, they probably didn't even know each other that well.

I was intrigued at first, but after three episodes, and knowing there weren't many more, I didn't really care what happened next, or felt I could root for anyone. It was just... another thing to watch during the holidays, with decorations, and Santa, and so forth.

I can appreciate the circumstances, and the efforts on some parts, but the overall result is just fluff. In 10-20 years, it's unlikely that viewers will want to revisit this. It has its place in history. An oddity that has some sweetness, but not enough to really revisit or come back to.

5/10.

If you're a fan of Big Brother, as I am, you might find a little joy here. But outside of that, it's a very weak show. First of all, there weren't enough contestants to make it interesting (they could've dragged it out for a couple more weeks); they are not living in the house which takes away a lot of the drama, and the cast members were seriously lacking. It's like they just pulled out their most recent Rolodex, and chose the same ones that they use over and over again. Other than hoping that maybe Cameron or Danielle would win, I couldn't care less about any of the rest. I asked, my friend said, too, instead of rooting for someone, I guess we should just root for who we DON'T want to win... such as Taylor and Xavier (whose egos have grown ginormous since the show), Britney, who does nothing but pout and act like a spoiled brat, and Frankie who's always bouncing off the walls. They should've come up with some other well-liked names from the past. What about Marcellas, Bunky, Jun Song, Jace, Jessie, Paul (!), Memphis, Vanessa, Kevin Campbell, and Hayden Moss to name a few. There were so many better choices, and that's what brought down the show. You need contestants who are not as familiar with each other and don't have a history, just like with the regular show.

This is big brother at its finest. Great casting from some of the best seasons, unexpected gameplay for both the audience and the contestants, holiday spirit, exceptional! Season 16 is the best season of big brother in my opinion and they cast 3 people from it, in addition to that they have a good mix of people from older seasons. I like that the contestants do not know exactly what they are getting into. In recent years the big brother game has been "figured out" by the contestants who have watched the show before, this is evident by the time upon time the house evicts somebody with a unanimous vote. This problem is eliminated in this light hearted new game full of some of the best house guests ever. I love it.

Overall enjoying this version of Big Brother. It is definitely not traditional BB. However, this variation is exciting to watch. It's fast! And because it's not traditional BB, we get to see some new strategies. I enjoy how unpredictable it has been, and the games have been mostly fair and balanced. I don't need the drama and I don't need them living together. This version doesn't need it. These guys are kinda playing as pros and respect each other. They are playing to win and although there is disappointment there's no hard feelings. Better casting would have gotten a 10 out of me. But maybe for future seasons others will be more willing to play now that they have seen how a season works.

Not bad for a new spin on the regular show. It's much shorter and no sleeping in the house, so that whole part of the show is gone. Some of the players are easier to take than others, who can come across a little forced. The competitions are inventive, though you will get very sick of both the xmas-related puns (which have obviously been written for them). And the following phrases - "reindeer games", "jingle bell ball" and."santa's showdown". It's only 6 episodes, so you know they say these things a LOT! Cbs, suggestion - how about we dispense with the celebrity aspect of this show, and just use regular people? Or kids? I mean, the food network has kids compete, and who really cares about low grade celebrities or these prior winners? I forget who was in the game the second it's over. I like that it was short, so i could binge the whole thing at once.