Big Brother has been on for 19 seasons, so it's easy to understand how people can get tired of the same old format over and over. Especially with the new trend of bringing back old cast members, fans are starting to get restless. That being said, CBS doesn't have a summer show with higher ratings than Big Brother.
According to Les Moonves, CEO of CBS (and husband of Big Brother host Julie Chen), it's the reason the network is alive.
Julie Chen told The Hollywood Reporter her husband said, "You and your show are single-handedly keeping this network afloat during the summer. You're keeping this network running.'"
With 7.35 million viewers per week, CBS needs to do everything they can to keep their Big Brother audience happy. That's why when Chen announced an edition of Celebrity Big Brother, which has never aired in the United States, fans got excited. The UK edition has boasted some pretty impressive names in the past, such as:
- Pamela Anderson
- Farrah Abraham, of Teen Mom
- Perez Hilton
- Gary Busey
- Ivana Trump
- Courtney Stodden
- Dennis Rodman
- Jermaine Jackson
- La Toya Jackson
- Coolio
- Stephen Baldwin
However, the American edition is...well, let's just say it's a list of names you probably don't recognize.
Here's the lineup for Celebrity Big Brother, which is set to air on February 7th.
Omarosa Manigault
The ex-White House staffer and three-time Apprentice contestant will appear on the show. Whether or not she'll use the platform to spill all those secrets is yet to be seen.
Mark McGrath
One of the more famous contestants, the former Sugar Ray singer and host of Search For The Next Pussycat Doll should be able to serenade other contestants into keeping him around for a while. He also appeared on Celebrity Apprentice.
Shannon Elizabeth
Elizabeth is known for the 1999 film American Pie and that's about it, honestly. You may also recognize her from Dancing With The Stars, where she placed sixth with her partner and boyfriend at the time, Derek Hough.
Metta World Peace
Formerly known as Ron Artest, the former NBA player should be a force to be reckoned with during the physical competitions. He also appeared on Dancing With The Stars (I'm noticing a trend.)
Brandi Glanville
You probably know her from Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, which means she's sure to bring the drama. Glanville also appeared on Celebrity, because apparently it's a prerequisite to appear on this show.
James Maslow
Maslow, a member of the former boy band Big Time Rush, will probably form an alliance with McGrath. Of course, Maslow also appeared on Dancing With The Stars where he placed fourth.
Keisha Knight Pulliam
You all remember Rudy from The Cosby Show, right? This is her now! Pullam appeared on, you guessed it, Celebrity Apprentice.
Marissa Jaret Winokur
Attention all Broadway fans: Tracy Turnblad from Hairspray will be in the Big Brother House! She already knows Shannon Elizabeth, as they competed on the same season of Dancing With The Stars.
Ariadna Gutierrez
Her claim to fame is when Steve Harvey announced her as the Miss Universe winner, but then realized he read the wrong name. Hopefully that doesn't happen if she ends up in final two! Gutierrez has not appeared on Celebrity Apprentice or Dancing With The Stars, but her fame is still young.
Chuck Liddell
The UFC Hall of Famer will probably give Metta World Peace a run for his money with the physical competitions. He appeared on Dancing With The Stars and placed 11th out of 16 contestants.
Ross Matthews
Formerly an intern on The Tonight Show, Matthews now judges RuPaul's Drag Race. Now the tables will be turned as his fellow housemates judge him. Matthews is the only other contestant who has not appeared on either Dancing With The Stars or Celebrity Apprentice.
