Rumors have been circulating that in order to cope with the effects of the WGA Strike, CBS is planning to launch the ninth edition of Big Brother as early as February.  While the network has yet to officially confirm the reports, the show's casting director, Robyn Kass, has revealed that the reality competition is, indeed, returning early.

"Yep, the rumors are TRUE! We're coming back a little earlier this year... apply now!" Kass wrote on her MySpace blog late last week.

Despite the lack of an official confirmation, the network is currently accepting applications online, and has also announced dates and locations for the casting call.  The show will be looking for potential Big Brother 9 houseguests in 15 cities from November 17 to December 8.

Given the announcement of the casting call, it seems fans will not be treated to a celebrity edition of Big Brother next year.  Talk of the special installment began back in 2002, when CBS President and CEO Les Moonves suggested the idea.

In an interview with RealityWanted.net, Kass discussed some application dos and don'ts.  The Big Brother casting director said that they'd rather watch audition videos that are unscripted and spontaneous, as they “love to see bloopers or candid and unexpected situations.”  She also emphasized that in making audition videos, applicants should remember to keep the focus on themselves, and not have anyone else, may it be family, friends or co-workers, do the tallking.

“We want to know as much as we can about you, who you are, and what you do. We don't like to see applicants who don't know how to talk about themselves,” Kass told RealityWanted.net.  “We care about what you have to say about yourself, you are the star.”

Kass also advised against setting up social networking websites and launching call-in or write-in campaigns.

“At the end of the day the best people will get on the show not the ones that create any sort of online campaign for people to call us,” she said.  “I can't put someone on Big Brother just because their friends and family want them on.  Let us make the decision.”

Fans who are interested in applying for the show at the open casting calls can visit CBS.com for the list of venues and dates.


-Lisa Claustro, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: realitytvworld.com, realitywanted.net
(Image Courtesy of Kassting Inc.)