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Big Brother Reindeer Games

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Big Brother Reindeer Games
GenreReality competition
Based onBig Brother
by John de Mol Jr.
Presented by
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producers
Production companies
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseDecember 11 (2023-12-11) –
December 21, 2023 (2023-12-21)
Related
Big Brother

Big Brother Reindeer Games is a reality competition television series and spin-off of the American version of Big Brother. It premiered on CBS on December 11, 2023, and is hosted by former Big Brother HouseGuests Derek Xiao, Tiffany Mitchell, and Jordan Lloyd. The series features nine former HouseGuests competing against each other across six episodes which aired over the course of two weeks. Big Brother Reindeer Games was placed on hiatus in 2024 due to lack of scheduling availability on the network.

House

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The house used for Big Brother Reindeer Games was renamed to the Santa's Lodge under the holiday-theme. The entryway of the house is decorated with flying reindeer, gold-wrapped presents, and a red flannel rug. The living room has a Christmas tree decorated with ornaments and wreaths. The kitchen, which in this season was named "Mrs. Claus Bakery", has red and green wallpaper with Christmas symbols, and gingerbread men on the counters.[1]

Format

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Each episode will consist of three games and will end in a "Santa's Showdown", the outcome of which determines the elimination of one HouseGuest.[2] The players will not live in the BB house, will not live together, and there will be no voting off of other players. Four HouseGuest will remain in the finale with one winning a $100,000 grand prize.[3]

Format changes and additions

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Unlike the previous seasons of Big Brother, Reindeer Games won't involve any nominations, house-voted evictions or live broadcasts. Instead, the nine houseguests from previous seasons would compete in a series of holiday-themed daily challenges.[4][1]

Naughty and Nice Challenge

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In this challenge, the houseguests would compete to gain an advantage for the next challenge, while simultaneously, giving a disadvantage for a houseguest of their choosing, also known as the Naughty List Punishment.

Jingle Bell Brawl Challenge

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The winner, or winners, of this challenge, would receive safety from elimination.

Santa's Showdown

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The nominees would compete against each other in various challenges to determine who would stay in the lodge and who would be eliminated from the game.

  • The losing houseguest would get to choose a present under the Christmas tree that contains gifts from a fruit cake to $5,000.

HouseGuests

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The HouseGuests were revealed intermittently throughout December 6 and 7, 2023.[5]

Previous Season(s) Age Occupation Residence Episode
exited 		Result
Nicole Franzel-Arroyo Big Brother 16, Big Brother 18 & Big Brother 22: All-Stars 31 Boutique owner Ubly, Michigan 6 Winner
Taylor Hale Big Brother 24 28 Motivational speaker Detroit, Michigan Runner-up
Frankie Grande Big Brother 16[a] 40 Actor Los Angeles, California Finalist
Xavier Prather Big Brother 23 29 Attorney Milwaukee, Wisconsin Finalist
Britney Godwin Big Brother 12 & Big Brother 14 36 Real estate agent Tulsa, Oklahoma 5 Eliminated
5th Place
Josh Martinez Big Brother 19 29 Content creator Miami, Florida 4 Eliminated
6th Place
Danielle Hendricks Big Brother 3 & Big Brother 7: All-Stars 51 Real estate manager San Francisco, California 3 Eliminated
7th Place
Cody Calafiore Big Brother 16 & Big Brother 22: All-Stars 32 Software sales rep Howell, New Jersey 2 Eliminated
8th Place
Cameron Hardin Big Brother 25 34 Stay-at-home dad Eastman, Georgia 1 Eliminated
9th Place
Notes
  1. ^ Frankie Grande also participated on the 18th series of Celebrity Big Brother UK.

Episodes

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No.TitleOriginal air date [6]U.S. viewers
(millions)		Rating/share
(18–49)
1"Episode 1"December 11, 2023 (2023-12-11)1.53[7]0.26/2[7]

Nine All-Star HouseGuests entered the holiday-themed Big Brother house, which is now being referred to as Santa's Lodge.

  • Naughty and Nice Challenge: The HouseGuests must observe a series of clues that hint at the title of a famous Christmas song. The first person to name the song correctly in the Diary Room wins the Naughty and Nice power.

Britney was the first to guess the song correctly, "Up on the Housetop", to win the advantage. Britney would later learn that with the advantage comes a disadvantage, which she must grant to another contestant. After hearing the other HouseGuests, Britney decided to give Cody the Naughty stocking, as he is a threat in competitions.

  • Jingle Bell Brawl Challenge: The HouseGuests would walk across a balance beam, and when they reached the other side, they must put a letter in another HouseGuests' mailbox. The first person to deliver all their letters and re-deliver all the letters given to them will win the challenge. Britney started with an advantage of one fewer envelope in her mailbox, while Cody got one extra envelope. In the end, Frankie won the challenge.

Frankie had to decide which two HouseGuests would participate in the Santa's Showdown to determine their fate in the game. He chose Cameron and Xavier.

  • Santa's Showdown: Both Cameron and Xavier had to complete a puzzle of an ugly Christmas sweater using a picture for reference. In the end, Xavier won the challenge and sent Cameron packing. On his way out, Cameron got a gift for a one-year membership to the Jelly of the Month Club.
2"Episode 2"December 12, 2023 (2023-12-12)1.59[8]0.23/3[8]

  • Naughty and Nice Challenge:
  • Jingle Bell Brawl Challenge:
  • Santa's Showdown: Cody Calafiore was sent packing.
3"Episode 3"December 14, 2023 (2023-12-14)2.04[9]0.30/3[9]

  • Naughty and Nice Challenge:
  • Jingle Bell Brawl Challenge:
  • Santa's Showdown: Danielle Hendricks was sent packing.
4"Episode 4"December 18, 2023 (2023-12-18)1.78[10]0.28/3[10]

  • Naughty and Nice Challenge:
  • Jingle Bell Brawl Challenge:
  • Santa's Showdown: Josh Martinez was sent packing.
5"Episode 5"December 19, 2023 (2023-12-19)2.03[11]0.30/3[11]

  • Naughty and Nice Challenge:
  • Jingle Bell Brawl Challenge:
  • Santa's Showdown: Britney Godwin was sent packing.
6"Episode 6"December 21, 2023 (2023-12-21)2.29[12]0.32/3[12]

Competition history

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  The Houseguest won Big Brother Reindeer Games and the $100,000 prize.
  The Houseguest was the runner-up.
  The Houseguest was eliminated in the finale.
  The Houseguest won the Jingle Bell Brawl challenge, securing immunity and nomination power.
  The Houseguest was nominated to compete in the Santa's Showdown challenge.
  The Houseguest was eliminated from the Lodge after losing the Santa's Showdown challenge.
Progress of HouseGuests including competition and nomination history during each episode of the program.
HouseGuest Episode 1 Episode 2 Episode 3 Episode 4 Episode 5 Episode 6
Naughty and Nice
Challenge Winner 		Britney Cody Taylor Frankie Nicole Xavier
Naughty List
Punishment Recipient(s) 		Cody Taylor Josh Nicole
Xavier 		Xavier Nicole
Jingle Bell Brawl
Challenge Winner(s) 		Frankie Britney
Danielle
Josh
Taylor 		Nicole Frankie
Taylor 		Taylor
Frankie 		—
Santa's Showdown
Nominees 		Cameron
Xavier 		Cody
Frankie
Xavier 		Frankie[a]
Xavier
Britney
Danielle 		Josh
Nicole 		Britney
Xavier 		—
Nicole Safe Safe Brawl Winner Showdown Safe Winner
(Episode 6)
Taylor Safe Brawl Winner Safe Brawl Winner Brawl Winner Runner-up
(Episode 6)
Frankie Brawl Winner Showdown Showdown Brawl Winner Brawl Winner Finalist
(Episode 6)
Xavier Showdown Showdown Showdown Safe Showdown Finalist
(Episode 6)
Britney Safe Brawl Winner Showdown Safe Showdown Eliminated
(Episode 5)
Josh Safe Brawl Winner Safe Showdown Eliminated
(Episode 4)
Danielle Safe Brawl Winner Showdown Eliminated
(Episode 3)
Cody Safe Showdown Eliminated
(Episode 2)
Cameron Showdown Eliminated
(Episode 1)
Eliminated Cameron
Lost Santa's
Showdown 		Cody
Lost Santa's
Showdown 		Danielle
Lost Santa's
Showdown 		Josh
Lost Santa's
Showdown 		Britney
Lost Santa's
Showdown 		Xavier
Lost Semi-Final Bracket
Frankie
Lost Semi-Final Bracket
Taylor
Lost Final Bracket
Nicole
Won Final Bracket
Notes
  1. ^ For this episode's Santa Showdown, the Jingle Brawl Winner nominates one contestant into Santa's Showdown. If that contestant finishes the challenge in the allotted time, they will then pick a contestant to go into Santa's Showdown. This contestant will have 1 minute less than the player who went before them. This process repeats until someone loses the challenge and is eliminated.

Santa's gifts history

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Episode Eliminated HouseGuest Santa's gift
1 Cameron One-year Jelly of the
Month Club subscription
2 Cody Fruit cake
3 Danielle $5,000
4 Josh Ugly Christmas sweater
5 Britney Pair of underwear and socks

Production

[edit]

Development

[edit]

In May 2023 Deadline Hollywood reported that CBS was considering an additional season of Big Brother in the 2023-24 television schedule, with "all-star contestants", to fill in gaps left by the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes.[13] CBS had previously done the same with Big Brother 9 which aired in 2008 to combat the 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike.[14]

Ahead of the Big Brother 25 finale in November 2023, host Julie Chen Moonves teased a "holiday surprise" from the "Big Brother universe". In an interview following the episode, Chen Moonves stated that a fourth season of Celebrity Big Brother was unlikely to happen, but noted the possibility of a shortened season with returning players.[15] The Hollywood labor disputes were ultimately ceased with the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike ending in October,[16] and the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike ending the following month.[17] With most scripted series set to begin filming shortened seasons in late-November and early-December,[18][19] and most premiere dates not expected until 2024,[20] there were still empty slots in the schedule.[21]

During the Big Brother 25 finale, it was announced that a new spin-off of Big Brother would air in December titled Big Brother Reindeer Games.[22] The series will be produced by Fly on the Wall Entertainment and Endemol Shine North America with Allison Grodner, Rich Meehan, and Chris Roach serving as executive producers, all returning from Big Brother.[23]

In November 2024 it was announced that the series would not air a second season in December, with producers citing lack of airtime availability on CBS but remaining hopeful that it could return in the future.[24]

Casting

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The series will not feature Chen Moonves and will instead be hosted by former Big Brother HouseGuests Derek Xiao, Tiffany Mitchell, and Jordan Lloyd who will be known as "Santa's Elf Ambassadors"; Xiao and Mitchell competed on Big Brother 23, while Lloyd was on both Big Brother 11 and Big Brother 13[25] Additionally, nine other former contestants, including one from Big Brother 25, will return to compete.[26]

Marketing and release

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The series premiered on December 11, 2023, and was filmed in its entirety prior to its release.[27] It will feature no live feeds.[28] Big Brother Reindeer Games will air three episodes a week on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, over two weeks, totaling six episodes before its finale on December 21.[29] A teaser trailer was aired during the Big Brother 25 finale featuring former competitors Frankie Grande, Britney Haynes, and Danielle Reyes, and was styled off a similar teaser that opened the twenty-fifth season.[30] Episodes from the series will also stream on Paramount+.[31]

See also

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  • Big Brother UK Panto - A Christmas-themed spin-off of Big Brother UK in which former contestants reunited to produce the pantomime play.

References

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  1. ^ a b Weaver, Nicole (December 9, 2023). "'The 'Big Brother: Reindeer Games' House Is Full of Christmas Cheer". Collider. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  2. ^ "Global Gets Festive With First Ever Big Brother-Inspired Holiday Reality Special Big Brother Reindeer Games" (Press release). Global Television Network. Corus Entertainment. November 9, 2023. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  3. ^ Wu, Valerie (November 9, 2023). "'Big Brother' Sets Holiday Special 'Reindeer Games' With Returning Houseguests From Past Seasons". Variety. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  4. ^ Iannucci, Rebecca (December 11, 2023). "Big Brother Reindeer Games Premiere: Who Went Ho-Ho-Home on Night 1?". TVLine. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  5. ^ Longeretta, Emily (December 7, 2023). "'Big Brother Reindeer Games' Cast: Meet the Past Winners and Fan-Favorites Competing in the Holiday Showdown". Variety. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  6. ^ "'Big Brother Reindeer Games' Brings A Holly Jolly Showdown To CBS In The Hit Reality Show's First Holiday Special" (Press release). Paramount Press Express. November 9, 2023. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (December 12, 2023). "Monday Ratings: 'Big Brother: Reindeer Games' Premiere Delivers So-So Figures for CBS". Programming Insider. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  8. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (December 13, 2023). "Tuesday Ratings: NBC Leads Broadcast, 'Big Brother: Reindeer Games' on CBS Disappoints on Night Two". Programming Insider. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  9. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (December 16, 2023). "Thursday Ratings: 'CMA Country Christmas' on ABC Most-Watched on Broadcast, 'Big Brother: Reindeer Games' Improves on CBS". Programming Insider. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (December 19, 2023). "Monday Ratings: 'Password' Holiday Special Does OK in Total Viewers for NBC". Programming Insider. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  11. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (December 20, 2023). "Tuesday Ratings: 'The Voice' on NBC Hits Season-High Viewership with 24th Season Finale". Programming Insider. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  12. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (December 22, 2023). "Thursday Ratings: 'Dick Van Dyke: 98 Years of Magic' on CBS Tops Broadcast Network Telecasts in Total Viewers". Programming Insider. Archived from the original on December 22, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  13. ^ White, Peter (May 11, 2023). "Unscripted TV Community Fears Strike Impact: "It's Not Going To Be A Carefree, Hot Girl, Reality Summer"". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  14. ^ Learmouth, Michael (January 9, 2008). "Broadcasters Set To Feel Real Strike Pain: A Network Scorecard". Business Insider. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  15. ^ Ross, Dalton (November 2, 2023). "Big Brother host Julie Chen Moonves teases a possible winter 'Legends' season". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  16. ^ White, Peter; Patten, Dominic (October 9, 2023). "It's Official: WGA Members Overwhelmingly Ratify New Three-Year Deal With Studios". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  17. ^ Kilkenny, Katie (November 8, 2023). "STRIKE OVER: Actors Make a Deal With Studios After 118 Days". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  18. ^ Ausiello, Michael (November 3, 2023). "Inside the Networks' Post-Strike Plan to Salvage the '23-24 TV Season (Hint: Prepare for the Shortest Season of Grey's Anatomy in 19 Years)". TVLine. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  19. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 9, 2023). "Return To Work: List of First TV Series To Restart Production After SAG-AFTRA Strike". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  20. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 3, 2023). "2023-24 Episode Count & Production Start Plans Tweaked For Series Like 'Grey's Anatomy', 'CSI: Vegas' & Wolf Entertainment Dramas As Strike Goes On". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  21. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 8, 2023). "TV Actors Getting Back To Work After SAG-AFTRA Strike As Series Start Setting Return To Production Dates". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  22. ^ Seemayer, Zach (November 9, 2023). "Julie Chen Moonves Announces 'Big Brother: Reindeer Games' Special Winter Series". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  23. ^ Knolle, Sharon (November 9, 2023). "CBS Sets 'Big Brother' Holiday Spin-Off 'Reindeer Games'". The Wrap. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  24. ^ Tinoco, Armando (November 4, 2024). "'Big Brother Reindeer Games' Season 2 Not Coming Back In 2024, Producers Hopeful "It Could Resurface"". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  25. ^ Nemetz, Dave (November 9, 2023). "Big Brother Sets All-Star Reindeer Games Holiday Edition With Big Format Changes — Who Should Come Back?". TVLine. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  26. ^ Berman, Marc (November 9, 2023). "'Big Brother Reindeer Games' Announced By CBS". Forbes. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  27. ^ Ross, Dalton (November 9, 2023). "Ho! Ho! Huh? Big Brother to air Reindeer Games all-stars mini-season". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  28. ^ Rice, Lynette (November 9, 2023). "'Big Brother Reindeer Games' To Premiere In December". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  29. ^ Bloom, Mike (November 9, 2023). "'Big Brother' Announces "Reindeer Games" Holiday Special". Parade. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  30. ^ Powell, John (November 9, 2023). "Big Brother Reindeer Games Coming In December". Global Television Network. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  31. ^ Darwish, Meaghan (November 9, 2023). "'Big Brother' Sets Holiday-Themed 'Reindeer Games' to CBS Winter Lineup". TV Insider. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
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