‘Big Brother’ wants you
Popular reality game show holding casting call in St. John’s this weekend
The reality TV show is casting in St. John’s this weekend
Do you have a big personality and strong opinions? Are you competitive? Does the idea of being isolated from the outside world and under constant surveillance, your every move recorded and aired on TV, not provoke a panic attack, but give you a thrill?
Most importantly, are you willing to get up close and personal with a group of strangers for more than two months for the chance to win $100,000?
Head down to the Sundance on George Street on Saturday — the producers of “Big Brother Canada” are dying to meet you.
Every year the popular reality game show hand-picks strangers from across the country and puts them together in a house outfitted with wall-to-wall cameras and microphones, capturing their every move. “Houseguests” battle in a series of weekly challenges and vote each other out until the winner of the final two is decided by a jury.
It’s the definition of nightmare for some, yet this year, like for the previous three seasons of the show, thousands of Canadian houseguest hopefuls are attending casting calls and uploading audition videos in an effort to be on of 15 chosen for the show.
“I think there are a few different reasons why people want to do it,” explains “Big Brother Canada” casting director Robyn Kass. “The money is a huge draw. Once you’re in, you’ve got a one in 15 chance of winning, and there are people who would do anything to win that. Other people have been watching the show for years and for them, playing the game they love is the draw. Others are hardcore competitors in real life and they see “Big Brother” as a big competition; a way to get in and get their hands dirty.”
Show producers don’t ever have an ideal cast in mind, Kass said, but go into the auditions knowing what they’re looking for: a cast that represents a diverse population, people viewers will want to see win, and those who are aggressive in opinions and not afraid to stir the pot. Kass has worked on “Big Brother” for 16 seasons, in the U.S. and Canada. The show format began in Holland in 1997, and Canadian viewers have been watching it since 2000, starting with the American version. “Big Brother Canada” premiered in 2013.
Newfoundlanders aren’t strangers to the “Big Brother Canada” house, including Season 2 winner Jon Pardy of Clarenville. Kass says there’s something special about Newfoundlanders that make them particularly great houseguests.
“I’ve embraced Newfoundland like nobody’s business,” Kass, of California, said. “It’s such a cool, unique accent — the first time I heard it I didn’t know what was going on, and the producers were so excited for me to hear it. I just think there is a fun energy among people from Newfoundland that is contagious. Jon Pardy is such a cool, genuine, funny, down-toearth guy, and I think the energy of the Newfoundlanders I’ve met is also like that.”
So what’s the best way to up your chances of getting picked?
Kass has some advice. Don’t wear a costume or prepare a song and dance— as fun as it is, it won’t get you on the show, she says. Dress as you would normally dress. Don’t plan too much, and talk as you normally talk. Say something unique about yourself, and don’t be afraid to express your opinions. Stay away from some of the audition clichés.
There are things we hear that we tend to roll our eyes at,” Kass said. “For instance, ‘I can be your best friend but if you piss me off I can be your worst enemy.’ Stay away from saying that.
The St. John’s casting call for “Big Brother Canada” will take place at the Sundance Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Participants must be 19 and older. Anyone who can’t attend can audition online at bigbrothercanada.ca.