Big Brother 21 unleashed a twist like never before (in the US version of the game) on Wednesday night when Ovi was evicted from the game but not the house. And dare I say, I like it!?
That’s right, if you’re just finding this out, then you’re going to want to sit down. The new twist is called Cam Comeback and the first four evicted houseguests won’t be leaving the BB house. Instead, they’ll be heading upstairs to Camp Comeback and living in more or less a have-not room. And yes, this includes night-one evictee (though he wasn’t really evicted) David. So Ovi, David and the next two evictees will remain in the house and be able to socialize and continue that aspect of the game, but won’t be playing in competitions or voting.
They will, however play in a Camp Comeback competition after the fourth eviction, this will earn them another chance at the game while the other three people will head home.
“When that one person gets back into the house, the others will leave,” Executive Producer Rich Meehan told Parade Magazine. “It will be a crazy, crazy exit night because there will be three people leaving the game at once.”
“And three people to talk Julie!” Executive Producer Allison Grodner added.
I think this might be the first time in the show’s history that I actually liked a game twist. I loved the old casting twists (like The X Factor and Summer of Secrets), but I have never liked the game twists (Battle of the Block, BB Takeover). That is until now. I am actually really intrigued by Camp Comeback.
Big Brother fans, including myself, have actually wanted something like this for a long time. I always imagined maybe a second house that shares the same back yard, but I guess the upstairs “cabin” will do with CBS’s budget.
To me, the best part about this is that the evicted players can still cause chaos and stir drama. I really hope that happens, even though they’ll be a little too concerned with getting back in the game and not wanting to burn all their bridges. Another aspect that might be interesting is how the HOH names its nominations and how the house votes. Will people actually take into account who they’re sending out will still be living with them and actually could re-enter the game? I’m not totally sure that matters, since a Battle Back has been something happening the past several seasons, so HGs should already be aware of how they’re treating people who might come back or even sit on jury and possibly hold their endgame in their hands.
Grodner seems to think it might have an impact.
“What are the social ramifications? At its heart, Big Brother is a social experiment,” Grodner told Parade Magazine. “What will that do to the dynamic? It’s going to be incredibly interesting and fun for people to watch. It played out one way tonight, which was a blindside for both the evicted houseguest and the house at large. But after that, it will be interesting to see the choices they make. How do they play the game knowing that person that they vote out will be staying in the house?”
I’m not sure how it will play out, but I’m happy about it regardless. It will be nice to see any favorites who go out of the game early stick around a little while longer. It definitely makes up for all the night one evictions they’ve given us since Big Brother 14. I just really like it and I’m hopeful it will be a new layer that we aren’t used to. After 21 seasons, keeping the game fresh is no easy task and this could actually do that.
My only problem is it’s only lasting four weeks. I’d rather it last longer or at least let the jury move in to the house also. But now I’m just getting greedy. I can’t wait to see how it plays out.
What do you think about the Camp Comeback twist? Do you think it will change things up at all?
