Big Brother Canada Daily Coverage

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Here's What we Posted Before the Show Began:

Wednesday, February 27 2013 Can't Wait For Tonight!


Big Brother hostess, Arisa Cox, on the FotH set of Big Brother Canada

While we wait for tonight's premiere (9PM on SLICE), here are today's Big Brother headlines:

Behind the scenes at 'Big Brother Canada' By Bill Harris ,QMI Agency @ torontosun.com Big Brother Canada is about the "where" and the "who."

At least, that's the case from a production standpoint, as the elaborate series debuts Wednesday on Slice and Global.

"We have never in our 30-some years of being in business ever come across a show quite like Big Brother Canada," says John Brunton, the chairman, CEO and executive producer of Insight Productions, whose reality-competition resume includes Battle of the Blades, Top Chef Canada, Canada's Got Talent, Canada Sings, Canadian Idol, Project Runway Canada and forthcoming The Amazing Race Canada. - Read More -

The ‘Big Brother Canada’ premiere is here: 5 things we want to see happen by Matt Carter at cartermatt.com

If you live in Canada, then Wednesday night’s “Big Brother” premiere north of the border is something that has been over a decade in the making. We’ve long heard of people who are interested in trying to appear on the show, and they are now getting this very opportunity to stir up drama, evict their fellow houseguests, and ultimately force themselves to dine on slop for a chance to advance in the game for a few more weeks.

So what do we want to see happen on the show this spring? We’ve compiled a list of five simple things that are sure to be entertaining: - Read More -

Tuesday, February 26 2013 Let's All Watch Together!

If you live in the USA and can't receive SLICE TV, there will be some live TV streams available, here's a link to one: http://www.bigbrotherarchive.com/wp/tv-live-stream/

If you live in the USA, you may not have access to the Free Canadian live house feeds, but we're testing a solution to that, check it out here.

If you going to follow BB Canada, you'll need some friends to talk to about it, so you'll need to sign up for our free chat room.

Now, you've got the TV show, the live feeds and friends, next, you can help me out by becoming one of our updaters, I need help!. So far we don't have enough people to cover all the times, and I'm not looking for you to commit to long shifts, you can cover as little as you have time for.

Today's News:
‘Big Brother Canada’ pre-show rankings: A look at the men by Matt Carter at cartermatt.com

One of the joys of “Big Brother” season to us is the mere impossibility of spoilers: everyone is really judging contestants based on first impressions and not on rumors, and literally anything can happen save for Rachel Reilly finding a way to get along with everyone in a house. (Zing!)

Now, we’re getting a chance to celebrate twice a year courtesy of “Big Brother Canada.” We recently published our pre-show impressions of the full cast, and now we’re going to go a little bit more in-depth in trying to rank where some of the houseguests stand leading into the first episode of the show. We’re not really judging this on much, save for the details on the show’s official page. - Read More -

SLICE TV is offering Canadians a Free preview starts today on @slice_tv! We've got channel info to help get you to the Big Brother Canada premiere Wed at 9et/pt. pic.twitter.com/9reyUwg4c6

The Big Brother Slop Truck... SLICE TV painted up a big blue truck and sent it out giving away free sample of BB Slop. tbbr.com has a gallery of photos from the big Slop Truck tour. - Read More -

Follow the truck around Toronto today and tomorrow and don’t forget to tweet at #BBCAN!

February 26

STOP #1:
When: 8am–10am
Where: 121 Bloor Street East
Who: Dan Gheesling, Big Brother U.S. Season 10 winner and runner-up in Season 14

STOP #2:
When: 11am–11:30am
Where: Yonge St and St Clair Avenue West
Who: Dan Gheesling, Big Brother U.S. Season 10 winner and runner-up in Season 14

STOP #3:
When: 12:30pm–3pm
Where: Yonge Street and Gould Street
Who: Dan Gheesling, Big Brother U.S. Season 10 winner and runner-up in Season 14

STOP #4:
When: 4pm–6pm
Where: Union Station, Station Street

February 27

STOP #1:
When: 10am-11:30am
Where: Queen Street West and Soho Street
Who: Dan Gheesling, Big Brother U.S. Season 10 winner and runner-up in Season 14

STOP #2:
When: 12pm–3pm
Where: U of T Campus
Who: Dan Gheesling, Big Brother U.S. Season 10 winner and runner-up in Season 14

STOP #3:
When: 3:30pm–6pm
Where: Financial District

Rick at tbbr.com also found this great picture of Emmett Blois on the farm.

How to survive the Big Brother Canada house: A first hand guide by Jonathan Dekel @ canada.com This Wednesday, for the first time ever, 15 Canadians will enter the Big Brother Canada House. Canada.com’s Jon Dekel got a taste of what’s to come when he, along with nine other media types from across the country, simulated a week in the house. His adventures can be viewed in a video - Read More -

Meet some 'Big Brother' contestants By Bill Harris ,QMI Agency @ torontosun.com It takes all types to make up the Big Brother Canada house. Fifteen people will be packed into the edifice, starting Wednesday on Slice and Global. Through exclusive interviews, here's a fun look at six of the contestants, who reveal their hopes, fears, inspirations and aspirations. - Read More -

Big Brother cast could house future star by By Cassandra Szklarski - The Canadian Press @ TheChronicleHerald.ca

TORONTO — The house guests have yet to move into the camera-rigged house of Big Brother Canada but executive producer John Brunton is already predicting a breakout star: 21-year-old funky fashion stylist Gary Levy.

The outspoken reality show guru touted a diverse cast of off-the-wall Canucks seeking fame and a modest fortune on the inaugural season of the homegrown spinoff starting tonight, singling out the Toronto contender as one to watch.

“Gary is a superstar,” Brunton gushed in a recent interview after 15 house guests were announced. - Read More -

Sunday, February 24 2013 Get to Know The HGs

Kid Craig of Virgin Radio's 99.9 has post exclusive video interviews with some of the HGs, he interviewed them all, and will continue posting until the complete cast is on his blog. So far we have AJ (Anuj ‘AJ’ Burman), Gary Levi, and Kat Yee, but keep checking, there's twelve more. - Read More -

Friday, February 22 2013 'Big Brother host loves Edmonton life

By Jamie Hall of The Edmonton Journal

EDMONTON - Surprised to hear Big Brother Canada host Arisa Cox is from Edmonton? So is she.

“We came out to visit my husband’s parents last summer,” says Cox laughing, “and we decided to stay!”

Until then, Cox was a Torontonian, through and through, and that’s where most of her family still lives.

So far, their time “out West” has included the requisite trips to Banff and Canmore to take in the Rockies, as well as Sunday afternoons spent exploring the Alberta countryside.

For the most part, though, they stick pretty close to home. West Edmonton Mall is a favourite haunt. - Read More -

Friday, February 22 2013 'BB Canada': Everything You Need To Know

By Chris Jancelewicz of the Huffington Post

I've been inside the "Big Brother Canada" house. OK, I might not have spent 10 weeks in the house like the 15 contestants are poised to do, but I spent a good eight hours in there with several other members of the Canadian media.

Shut off from everything (including our phones, which were taken from us upon entry), we participated in challenges, developed strategies and made alliances, just like the real cast of "Big Brother Canada." While we didn't have time to develop in-house romances or have all-out blow-ups, we formed groups among us and had little tête-à-têtes that we hoped weren't caught on-camera (but probably were).

If you're a "Big Brother" fan, you're going to love the Canadian iteration. It has everything you enjoy in the U.S. version, from the elaborate house to the spellbinding drama. We'll have to wait and see if Canadians really are nicer than their American counterparts; but after spending a full day as a contestant, I can tell you that's not the case. - Read More -

Thursday, February 21 2013 Big Gallery of House Photos

The Big Brother Archive has posted a slew of pictures of the interior if the Big Brother house.

Here are some details:

1 bedroom only! Yes, that’s right. 7 double beds for 14 people. (There is also a HoH room has yet to be revealed.) This is going to be fun once they start hating on each other and must sleep in the same room.

The bathroom is similar to BBUSA but not as private – the toilet has a bathroom stall style door. No private time in that bathroom without everyone knowing exactly what you are up to!

There are murals of different parts of Canada painted throughout. The backyard has a mural of Calgary, Alberta with the Rocky Mountains, oil rigs, prairies and the giant T-Rex represents the Drumheller area, home of one of the world’s largest dinosaur fossil deposits. - Read More -

Here's the official Gallery from SLICE TV.

Here is a video tour of the house.

Wednesday, February 20 2013 Meet The Big Brother Canada Houseguests!

After months of searching by BBUS casting director, Robyn Kass, and more than a year of planning, the producers are thrilled to finally introduce you to your Big Brother Canada houseguests! These 15 lucky Canadians will live together, eat together, play together — and ultimately, battle it out for the grand prize. Any early favourites? Catch all the action starting Wednesday February 27th 9pm

Name: Jillian MacLaughlin
Age: 27
Hometown: New Glasgow, NS
Occupation: Teacher
Three adjectives that describe you: Hyper, easygoing and driven
Why did you want to be on Big Brother Canada?
My friends and family. I just got out of a long-term relationship a year ago and when we heard about Big Brother Canada they told me I had to do it to shake up my life.
Do you have a strategy going into the house?
My strategy is to have no strategy at all! With a diverse group of people the dynamic is going to be completely different depending on who they are, so I’m just going to go in and try and make friends and plan as I go.
Do you think the physical or mental challenges will be more difficult for you?
The mental challenges will be tough for sure. I am the most unobservant person in the world so I’m going to have to try hard to remember every little detail.
Will you hide anything about yourself from the other houseguests?
No – I’m not a genius or a doctor. I’m pretty average, so I don’t think I will be that intimidating for the other houseguests.
Describe your perfect day.
Wake up, have a nice cup of coffee, do some yoga, go to work , go out for supper with some girls and then head to a friend’s house for some drinks and play games all night. This would all be in the summer too of course!
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
When people mock me for being healthy. I hate it when they try and make me feel bad for working out or choosing the healthy option on a menu.

Name: Thomas Plant
Age: 24
Hometown: Edmonton, AB (originally from Calgary, AB)
Occupation: Bartender and Firefighter
Three adjectives that describe you: Adaptable, competitive and charming
Why did you want to be on Big Brother Canada?
It’s a favourite show of mine and I couldn’t miss the chance to win the $100,000 prize!
Do you have a strategy going into the house?
No I don’t – I’m just going to totally wing it.
Will you hide anything about yourself from the other houseguests?
I’m going to hide the fact that I’m a firefighter. I think people might see that as a threat for physical challenges.
Do you think the physical or mental challenges will be more difficult for you?
I think the mental challenges will be more difficult, especially if they are puzzle related. I have a hard time focusing and I get distracted easily. The physical stuff you just have to endure. I’ve worked long hours before – 18 or 24 hour shifts as a firefighter – so I feel like I’m prepared for endurance challenges.
Describe your perfect day.
Chilling in a remote area on a beach somewhere, with a beer in my hand and a reggae band playing live music. There’d also be a really good looking girl there, of course.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
People who put their kids on a leash. It pisses me off that they can’t hold their kid’s hand or take care of them. I’ll always speak up too.

Name: Peter Brown
Age: 26
Hometown: Surrey, BC (originally from Millville, NB)
Occupation: Web Content Curator
Three adjectives that describe you: Mean, funny, and intelligent
Why did you want to be on Big Brother Canada?
I’ve watched every season of the American show and some seasons of the British show and I’ve always wanted to play. As soon as it was announced that it was coming to Canada I had a lot of people telling me I should try out.
Do you have a strategy going into the show?
My strategy is to be nice to people – it’s the most duplicitous thing I can do. In real life I’m nice to the people I like, but to me these people aren’t people, they are characters to be overcome in my narrative to the end.
Will you hide anything about yourself from the other houseguests?
I’m going to be as forthcoming as possible. In a game where everyone is lying all of the time, the trickiest thing you can do is just be up front. Then again, I also plan to be nice, so I’m not necessarily going to be honest as much as make people believe I’m being honest.
Do you think the physical or mental challenges will be more difficult for you?
I think it will depend on what type of challenge it is – all challenges can be tricky depending on what they are. I don’t foresee the day-to-day minutiae of the game being something I have a hard time with.
Describe your perfect day.
I would probably go to a multimillion dollar theme park because it is the ultimate manufactured experience.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
People moving slowly. Walking on the street or an escalator, basically just slow people in general.

Name: Talla Rejaei
Age: 26
Hometown: Edmonton, AB
Occupation: Independent Living Support Worker and Social Work student
Three adjectives that describe you: Boisterous, genuine and hilarious
Why did you want to be in Big Brother Canada?
I have always said if the show ever came to Canada I would audition, and here I am. My mom helped me make the video – she sat through 50 takes – so she was encouraging me to do it as well. She always said that we came to Canada to have every good opportunity available and this is a big one!
Do you have a strategy going into the house?
I’ve learned that going into the house with a strategy doesn’t usually work out the way you planned. What I would like to do is keep a low profile since I’m loud and it stands out.
Will you hide anything about yourself from the other houseguests?
I don’t want to go into detail about my personal life. I’m loud and outgoing but I don’t want people to know everything about me so I will keep details about my real life vague.
Do you think the physical or mental challenges will be more difficult for you?
I’m not worried about the physical challenges – I see a personal trainer and even though I’m little I’m going to do my very best. I’ll push myself as far as I can go – that is just the way I am. The mental part will be so much harder since you never know who you can put your trust in.
Describe your perfect day.
Wake up, and have oatmeal and milk for breakfast. Then I’d have a session with my personal trainer, and spend the rest of the day on my couch having quiet time and watching TV.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
I hate when people burp without saying excuse me, and when people cough without covering their mouths. If I see people do that in the house I will call them out.

Name: Suzette Amaya
Age: 36
Hometown: East Vancouver, BC
Occupation: Support Worker, Radio Producer and Host, Motivational Speaker.
Three adjectives that describe you: Outgoing, thoughtful and funny
Why did you want to be on Big Brother Canada?
I’m an uber fan! I’m a support worker helping with women and children dealing with addictions, mental health issues, fleeing abuse or living in poverty, and watched each season with them when I was working in a shelter. It was a chance for the women to get out of their own reality and enjoy watching something else, and I got addicted! I’m also excited to represent as an aboriginal person, a plus size woman and a mom on the show – it’s a dream come true!
Do you have a strategy going into the show?
I think the skills I’ve attained through my education and overcoming adversity will be a big help. I also plan to do some manipulating, some stroking of egos, riding some coattails and floating my way to the top. I’ll be the ultimate floater!
Will you hide anything about yourself from the other houseguests?
My career experience – people won’t know I do support work and counselling and that my education is in criminology and anthropology. I don’t want people to feel that I’m a threat because of my life and professional experience. I just want them to think I’m a mom of three and a wife.
Do you think the physical or mental challenges will be more difficult for you?
The physical challenges will be the hardest part. I’m on the curvier side and have had three kids – my daughter is only one – so I’m still not in the greatest physical shape. I’m going to have fun out there though!
Describe your perfect day.
Being home with my family, enjoying some chai tea and TV, and going on a family outing and then going out at night to party with my girlfriends. I’m a true Gemini – I’m the Suzy Homemaker during the day and the wild puma at night!
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
People who are judgmental and ignorant. I’m not fond of people who complain a lot. I also can’t stand being around people who judge others on their appearance.

Name: Danielle Alexander
Age: 20
Hometown: Calgary, AB (originally from Fort McMurray, AB)
Occupation: Student and Aspiring actress
Three adjectives that describe you: Fun, opinionated, and outgoing
Why did you want to be in Big Brother Canada?
This is a good opportunity to further my acting career. This is fun! I need more excitement in my life. Fort McMurray is a small town. Everyone knows me and my family – we’re loud social butterflies about town. It’s time to get ME out in the world.
Do you have a strategy going into the house?
I’m planning to form an alliance with people I naturally click with, but then I won’t hang out with them. I don’t want to put our connection on display for everyone to judge and feel threatened by. I also won’t hate anyone openly (just in the Diary Room), but I’m sure that people will get on my nerves. I’m not afraid to lie or confront anyone. I’m not a bi*@h, but I can be one if I need to.
Will you hide anything about yourself from the other houseguests?
I’ll hide that I’m not poor. I don’t want people not to like me because I grew up getting everything I wanted – trips, hobbies, clothes, etc. I’ll just lie and tell people that I had a little less than average – but I don’t want them to think that I’m poor either. That’s just not me – I don’t know how to act poor.
Do you think the physical or mental challenges will be more difficult for you?
Mental will be hard for me. I’m a very competitive person. I competed in gymnastics for 10 years so I’m confident that I’ll do really well in the physical challenges.
Describe your perfect day?
I’d eat breakfast – I love breakfast!. Then I’d spend my day lying on the beach, I’d go shopping – incorporate my dream job into the day somehow – and be with my friends.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
I hate dirty people. I’m super clean – like, seriously clean. I have to clean every day. The Big Brother Canadahouse will be immaculate as long as I’m in it. I’ll freak out if there’s a dirty houseguest. I’ll probably yell at them, and then clean their mess.

Name: Aneal Joshua Ramkissoon
Age: 21
Hometown: Richmond Hill, ON
Occupation: Communications major
Three adjectives that describe you? Outgoing, stubborn, and fun
Why did you want to be on Big Brother Canada?
I use the show a lot in my research at school for different theories and concepts. I focus on inter-cultural communication and the art of rhetoric and those are two big parts of Big Brother Canada. I hope to develop my experience into an undergraduate thesis.
Do you have a strategy going into the house?
I’m definitely going to be a strategic player but I don’t want anyone to know that I am. I’m going to try and come across very young and naïve, and like I’ve never been away from home – those are the type of players that people don’t view as a threat.
Will you hide anything about yourself from the other houseguests?
My education, the fact that I’m on a scholarship, my age, and that I’ve studied the show and used that research in my schoolwork. I want to minimize myself as a threat.
Do you think the physical or mental challenges will be more difficult for you?
The physical challenges will be more difficult because I know that there will be guys and girls who will be very fit. The show is not completely physical though – I think it is more mental, so that gives me a competitive edge.
Describe your perfect day.
Sleeping in, catching up on TV shows I had missed, and meeting friends for dinner and drinks, and then heading out for a night on the town.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Loud people that seek attention in a group. I think there are definitely going to be people like that in the house and that will annoy me. I also hate wet towels on beds.

Name: Emerald “Topaz” Brady
Age: 27
Hometown: Scarborough, ON
Occupation: Part-time dental hygienist and full-time student
Three adjectives that describe you: Fun, crazy and wild, smart and interesting – I could keep going!
Why did you want to be in Big Brother Canada?
I’m a huge fan of the show. I watched the first season of the American version and most of them from that point forward so I have always wondered how I would do if I was actually on it.
Do you have a strategy going into the house?
My strategy is to go in, assess the other houseguests and take it from there. I don’t know exactly how I should act – should I go in and be super kind to everybody or be a complete bitch?
Will you hide anything about yourself from the other houseguests?
I don’t think I’m a big threat – I’m not a brain surgeon and I’m not a body builder or extremely physically fit so I don’t think there’s anything that would make anyone too afraid.
Do you think the physical or mental challenges will be more difficult for you?
I think the physical challenges would be the most difficult for me. I’m pretty athletic but there may be super buff strong guys who are in the gym all the time and I wouldn’t stack up against that.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Messy people! I’m not a complete neat freak but I hate messy dishes piling up or dirty clothes on the floor.

Name: Liza Stinton
Age: 29
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Occupation: Tanning Salon Owner
Three adjectives that describe you: Fabulous, confident, and sexy – I could go on and I will. Awesome, amazing, loyal and supportive. I would say that I’m perfect but I know you need humility to be perfect – humility is one thing I don’t have.
Why did you want to be on Big Brother Canada?
I’m definitely a fan but really, timing is everything. My dad died last year so now I just don’t care. There’s no need to mask who I am anymore. Also, I’ve never been better looking – seriously.
Do you have a strategy going into the house?
My short term plan is not to get evicted in the first week. After that, it’s game on. It’ll be all about living in the now and taking every moment as it comes. My strategy is to shut up and listen more than I talk – but that in itself will be my very own minute-to-minute challenge.
Will you hide anything about yourself from the other houseguests?
I’m absolutely going to hide the fact that I’m an entrepreneur and business owner. I’m going to play the lowly tanning salon employee role. My age might make that unbelievable but I’ll just say that I’ve been promoted to senior employee status.
Do you think that the physical or mental challenges will be more difficult for you?
The physical. I’m thin-ish, fit-ish, and sure, I’m stronger than I look but I have poor endurance. Mentally, I’m unbreakable. I had a good mom and dad growing up. They gave me a solid base. I’ve never met a more confident, secure, or grounded individual than myself.
Describe your perfect day?
After a big breakfast, I’d go chill on the beach. At night, I’d have a fancy dinner with wine and lots of cheese at the Ritz. Later, a live show of some kind, and I’d cap the day off with sex.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
I can’t stand it when people speak with grammatical errors. “I seen” is one of the worst – ugh!

Name: Anuj ‘AJ’ Burman
Age: 32
Hometown: Scarborough, ON
Occupation: Director of Business Development
Three adjectives that describe you: Positive, active and funny
Why did you want to be on Big Brother Canada?
I love the show and have been watching the American version for many years. Oh, and I’m going to win.
Do you have a strategy going into the house?
My plan is to get to know the other houseguests on a personal level. Be friends with them and try not to annoy them. I’m a talker. I’ve been told I talk too much. My voice sounds too good to keep under wraps. I like to refer to myself as an underdeveloped listener.
Will you hide anything about yourself from the other houseguests?
I might tell people I’m younger than I actually am. Twenty-eight feels like a good number to me. Truth is, I’ve lost a lot of weight recently and I’ve actually started to feel myself getting younger.
Do you think that the physical or mental challenges will be more difficult for you?
The physical challenges will be harder for me although I may surprise myself since I’ve been more active lately. I’m also really good at memory challenges – I know almost every line from Saved by the Bell. I’m a Zach now but I’m naturally a Screech, with AC Slater’s hair. These days, I get to be with the Kellys out there.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Ignorant and racist people. If someone is ignorant in the house, I’ll rally people to get them evicted. There is no place for them in the house or anywhere for that matter.

Name: Emmett Blois
Age: 24
Hometown: Gore, Hants County, NS
Occupation: Dairy farmer
Three adjectives that describe you: Outgoing, adventure-seeker and social
Why did you want to be on Big Brother Canada?
My older brother told me I had to do it. I didn’t really watch the American version much until I auditioned. When I found out that I got in, I was so excited to tell my brother!
Do you have a strategy going into the house?
This is going to be tough,. I’m a competitive person but I’ve never thrown a competition. I don’t think I’ll be able to get out of doing that in the house. I’ll probably flirt a little. I’m really good at that, and I like the ladies who play hard to get. If you don’t get turned down the first time you try, you’re not having fun.
Will you hide anything about yourself from the other houseguests?
No, there’s nothing intimidating about me. I had a basic upbringing and I’ll definitely tell them that I’m a dairy farmer. Dairy farmers are the most trustworthy people.
Do you think that the physical or mental challenges will be more difficult for you?
The mental challenges will be tough. I’m looking forward to the physical ones. I will lie for $100,000. I’d do a lot of things for $100,000. I’d get into the ring with Mike Tyson with my arms tied behind my back for $100,000!
Describe your perfect day?
Training with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
People who don’t put away their dishes – especially the ones that are clean and dry in the rack. But I’ll suck it up for $100,000.

Name: Kat Yee
Age: 27
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Occupation: Bartender
Three adjectives that describe you: Nutty, silly, and honest
Why did you want to be on Big Brother Canada?
I’m a roll with the punches person. My gut told me to do it, so here I am. My gut is my best friend. Tells me where to go, who to sleep with, and what to stand up for.
Do you have a strategy going into the house?
I’m going to lay low and keep the target off my back. I’ll downplay my physical ability until the people that I see as threats are out of the house. I’ll also try to be a fly on the wall whenever I can.
Will you hide anything about yourself from the other houseguests?
I’m going to hide my athleticism. They’ll see that I’m fit and I’ll try to work out in the house but I’ll tell them that I work out because I love to eat – which is very true.
Do you think that the physical or mental challenges will be more difficult for you?
The mental challenges will be the hardest for sure. I’d compete physically hard even if it meant blowing out my knee. I’m not a bullshitter so it’ll be difficult for me to get bogged down in dirty details. I say what’s on my mind.
Describe your perfect day?
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Nose whistlers! You know those guys on the plane – drives me crazy. Open mouth gum chewers are also terrible. Self-centered people also piss me off.

Name: Andrew Monaghan
Age: 38
Hometown: Halifax, NS (originally from Corner Brook, NL)
Occupation: Insurance Sales Trainer
Three adjectives that describe you: Funny, outgoing and honest
Why did you want to be on Big Brother Canada?
I’m a fan of the show. I’ve watched the American version and while I was living in Germany, I watched the German version too. I’d have been a fool not to have tried out for this show because I love it so much.
Do you have a strategy going into the house?
My strategy is not to have a strategy. I don’t know these people so having a strategy before going into the house is only setting myself up to fail. What if I meet the woman of my dreams in there? Then I want her, not the money! I’m just going to be myself and play a good social game.
Will you hide anything about yourself from the other houseguests?
I will not show them my privates – I’m a respectable man. Aside from that, I’m also thinking about hiding my age. I don’t want to turn a lady off by telling her my age. Thirty-eight doesn’t sound as good as thirty-four.
Do you think that the physical or mental challenges will be more difficult for you?
Hate to say it, but the mental challenges will be harder for me because even though I won’t admit that I’m getting older, the ol’ memory is getting shaky. Physically I’m golden though, I shouldn’t have any problems with the physical challenges.
Describe your perfect day?
I lost my dad a few years back so I’d love nothing more than to play golf with him and my brothers again. We’d drink some jars* (East Coast reference for alcoholic beverages), shoot a few straight lines and have a BBQ with friends and family.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
I don’t care for people who aren’t smart but tell everyone that they are. Or, people who use words out of context or just the wrong word all together. I have a hard time not correcting those people.

Name: Alec Beall
Age: 26
Hometown: Vancouver, BC
Occupation: Social Psychological Research/Doctoral Student
Three adjectives that describe you: Complicated, balanced and confident
Why did you want to be on Big Brother Canada?
I’ve always liked the show and really got into it once I saw Dr. Will on the American version. Dr. Will is my role model – this guy’s dope. Watching him compete so masterfully in season two inspired me to pursue a career in social psychology. I love getting into people’s minds – this is where I should be.
Do you have a strategy going into the house?
I don’t want to be perceived as a threat – I want to fly under the radar – but that’s just not me. So, who knows? I want to find one person that I’ll be entirely loyal to, probably one of the dumb people in the house because they’re more bound by loyalty and honour – creative and intelligent people can’t be trusted.
Will you hide anything about yourself from the other houseguests?
Nothing. I won’t have as much fun if I’m hiding anything.
Do you think that the physical or mental challenges will be more difficult for you?
Neither will be difficult for me. I’ve watched the show and there really isn’t a challenge I’ve seen that I wouldn’t excel at.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Snoring – get a nasal strip, man. There’s no excuse. Seriously, I will turn on people if they snore.

Name: Gary Levy
Age: 21
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Occupation: Bartender, Artist, Fashion Stylist Assistant
Three adjectives that describe you: Funky, outgoing, fabulous!
Why did you want to be in Big Brother Canada?
I live my life like I’m on camera – I’m always dressed up and looking good, so I thought what better way to have the attention on me 24 hours a day than to be on Big Brother Canada?
Do you have a strategy going into the house?
My strategy is to be really social and friendly to everyone. When you’re social you get information from everyone and then I will decide how to use the information that I get.
Will you hide anything about yourself from the other houseguests?
In the beginning I’m going to try and hide that I’m actually athletic. I want to make them think I’m really weak in that way at first and then later start winning and shock everyone.
Do you think the physical or mental challenges will be more difficult for you?
I don’t think the physical challenges will be hard for me. I’m really athletic under all the fabulousness, so I can hold my own. Mental challenges – like scholarly type challenges – might be a bit tougher.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
I don’t like it when people are fake – like someone who will say something to you and then go two feet away and talk behind your back.

Thursday, February 14 2013 Big Brother Starts in Just Over Two Weeks

Friday, February 8, 2013 Tickets to Live Eviction Shows

Tickets to the first four live eviction shows on Feb 28, Mar 7, 14 & 21 are now available! If you are interested in attending, please contact bbcaudience@insighttv.com with the subject line: Big Brother Canada Tickets for [Date Requested].

Please include your name, email address, phone number & number of tickets requested in the body of your email. Please note that they cannot guarantee tickets, you must be able to travel to the Greater Toronto Area and the minimum age is 11.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013 Big Brother Host Announced!


Arisa Cox has been named the Canadian counterpart to Julie Chen on Big Brother Canada. Photo by: Sherlyn Torres		Arisa Cox has been named the Canadian counterpart to Julie Chen on Big Brother Canada. Arisa is an entertainment host on E! News Weekend, and is known for her red carpet interviews. Her other credits include: producer, pop culture commentator, journalist, weather presenter, writer and acted in the Disney hit Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam! and The Smart Woman Survival Guide.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013 Biggest Multiplatform Experience Ever!

Shaw Media Press Release: Robust Interactive Website Offers 24 Hour Live Feed, Prizes and Power to Biggest Fans

Bigbrothercanada.ca to Stream More Content Than Any Other Entertainment Series in Canada

TORONTO, January 16, 2013 – This February Big Brother Canada is taking over, both on air and online. Shaw Media and Insight Productions have teamed up with Emmy® Award-winning interactive agency Secret Location to develop a robust digital platform that will be wholly integrated into the production of the highly-anticipated series. The extensive and interactive digital experience will offer fans the unprecedented opportunity to influence and impact what transpires week-to-week on screen. Canadian fans have the chance to: eavesdrop on the houseguests 24 hours a day, vote on twists and turns, engage with the houseguests and play the Big Brother Canada Power Play game for points, prizes and power. Big Brother Canada and all digital components launch February 27th on SliceTMand at Bigbrothercanada.ca Big Brother Canada is the first Canadian installment of Endemol’s worldwide hit franchise.

“Social engagement is a huge part of Big Brother’s appeal for fans and we’ve created a completely integrated online experience that will resonate with audiences,” said Barbara Williams, SVP of Content for Shaw Media. “We’ve developed a platform that gives our audience countless opportunities to engage and make decisions that will impact the series in real time and in fact, there may even be moments throughout the series that fans could have more power over the happenings in the house than the houseguests themselves!”

The robust website will empower fans to continually shock the houseguests and influence the course of the show. Big Brother Canada promises Canadians the opportunity to vote for major decisions throughout the season. What if Canadians are given the chance to determine houseguests’ rewards and punishments? Imagine they have the opportunity to influence the food in the house? And who will fans choose if given the power to save a life or the final say in an eviction? Canadians will have their say, but as to how much will be revealed as the series unfolds.

The site’s Big Brother Canada Power Play prediction game is the ultimate opportunity for the uber-fan. Power Play will give Canadians the best interactive platform to play along while watching the show. Each week fans will be asked to lock in their predictions for who will win Head of Household and the Power of Veto competitions, who will be put up on the block and ultimately who will be evicted. The more each fan participates in the game, the more points they accumulate, and the more potential they have to win prizes and power to shape what’s happening on air.

"We are excited to offer a broad multiplatform experience that offers live feeds, blogs, video exclusives, a play at home game and extensive social engagement," said John Brunton, Executive Producer, Insight Productions. "This is the largest, most comprehensive, digital undertaking our company has ever done."

"Through an incredibly close collaboration with Shaw Media and Insight Productions - working in real time as part of production - we now have the unique ability to let fans make decisions that will actually affect the characters and action in the TV series in ways we’ve never executed before,” said James Milward, Founder of Secret Location.

For those who just can’t get enough of the goings on inside the Big Brother Canada house Bigbrothercanada.ca will offer a free 24 hour live feed available for streaming daily following the series premiere on February 27th. Other video exclusives will include houseguests’ answers to questions submitted by fans through Facebook and Twitter, behind the scenes footage you won’t see on air and interviews with favourite previous Big Brother US houseguests. Bigbrothercanada.ca will stream more content than any other entertainment series in the country. Bigbrothercanada.ca and the Big Brother Canada game are accessible on all devices including tablets and smartphones.

The first Canadian installment of the international sensation, Big Brother Canada premieres on February 27th at 9pm ET/PT on SliceTM. Big Brother Canada will air three nights a week, on Wednesdays at 9pm ET/PT, Thursdays at 10pm ET/PT and Sundays at 9pm ET/PT, with live eviction episodes on Thursdays. Big Brother Canada After Dark will kick off on February 27th and air seven days a week from2am-5am ET/ 11pm-2am PT.

The Bigbrothercanada.ca website is funded in part by The Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund.

- 30 -

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Twitter:
@BigBrotherCA
@Slice_TV

Facebook:
Big Brother Canada https://www.facebook.com/BigBrotherCA
Slice https://www.facebook.com/Slice

Tuesday, December 25 2012 Merry Christmas!

Here are the latest promos for BB Canada:

Wednesday, December 12 2012 Countdown to February 27 Premiere

Big Brother Canada has announced it's premiere on Wednesday, February 27 with weekly episodes on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays on Slice. BB CA is also bringing you Big Brother Canada After Dark every night on Slice. So far, there is no word on live feeds or any availability to Canada's southern neighbor.

Sunday, December 2 2012 And Amazing Race Too!

First The Bachelor, then Big Brother and now The Amazing Race?

The website PopGoesTheNews.com said Friday that CTV would produce a Canadian edition of U.S. reality series The Amazing Race.

The website claims Phil Keoghan, who hosts the show, has taped an announcement set to air on the Dec. 2 episode (8 p.m. on CTV and CBS).

TAR is a ratings favourite here in Canada. The series was pulling in more than 2.5 million viewers nationwide in October, according to CTV. And it consistently places in the top 10 most watched programs in Toronto and Hamilton, according to BBM Canada.

Keoghan raised the possibility of an Amazing Race Canada in a 2008 interview.

In excerpts posted on The Amazing Race Fan Site, he said, “Of all the countries in the world, there are bigger fans of The Amazing Race in Canada than any other country. When I go to Canada, I have to put on a disguise. They love the show there with a passion that is truly extraordinary.

“In terms of Canadians competing, the best thing to happen would be for CTV to do their own version.”

The show, which has won the Emmy for Outstanding Reality Competition Program nine times, features teams travelling around the world, racing to complete challenges and win prizes. The last team standing wins $1 million.

PopGoesTheNews.com says the Canadian version would likely air next summer.

Canuck versions of U.S. reality shows are not uncommon, but they usually don’t last long.

The Bachelor Canada just ended its first season on Citytv, but no announcement has been made about a second season.

Citytv also aired a season of Canada’s Got Talent earlier this year, but there was no second season and no indication it will return.

Meanwhile, 10,000 people have applied to be on Big Brother Canada, coming to Slice in winter 2013.

And Top Chef Canada is still a going concern on Food Network Canada.

The most successful Canadian version of an American reality show was Canadian Idol, which aired on CTV for six seasons before being put on indefinite hiatus.

CTV also cancelled So You Think You Can Dance Canada after four seasons.

Sunday, December 2 2012 Dan Gheesling Appearing in Ontario

The New York Post calls him, "THE BEST 'BIG BROTHER' PLAYER OF ALL TIME."

His victory on "Big Brother 10" and recent 'funeral' on "Big Brother 14" have transformed him into a top Reality TV Star.

And now, in his first Canadian event EVER, he's coming to spend an intimate and interactive night with YOU!

AN EVENING WITH "BIG BROTHER" STAR DAN GHEESLING

Saturday, January 19, 2013
7:00 PM ET @ Algoma's Water Tower Inn
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada

You'll NEVER see "Big Brother" quite like this again!

Join Dan as he answers your burning questions, dishes on all things "Big Brother," and gets UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL with his most loyal fans! Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime chance to get authentic BEHIND-THE-SCENES SCOOP from the GREATEST player to ever play the game.

As this is Dan's first ever Canadian event, tickets are LIMITED and will SELL OUT FAST.

General admission, Gold VIP and Platinum VIP ticket packages go on sale to the public on Monday, December 3. All ticket packages are being offered online through a secure ticketing server.

With Christmas just around the corner, these low-priced packages will make the ULTIMATE GIFT for the "Big Brother" fan on your list!

TICKET LEVELS/PRICING

Platinum VIP Package
$50.00

Gold VIP Package
$35.00

General Admission
$20.00

TICKET INFORMATION

PLATINUM VIP PACKAGE includes:
- a guaranteed seat in the first or second row from the stage
- a guaranteed meet & greet with Dan before the show where you'll get his autograph & take your photo with him
- an 8X10 photo of Dan
*Only 25 Platinum VIP Packages will be made available*

GOLD VIP PACKAGE includes:
- a general admission seat
- a guaranteed meet & greet with Dan after the show where you'll get his autograph & take your photo with him
- an 8X10 photo of Dan
*A limited number of Gold VIP Packages will be made available*

GENERAL ADMISSION includes:
- a general admission seat

*Please note that only VIP ticketholders are guaranteed a meet/greet opportunity with Dan.*

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

All tickets must be purchased using the online ticketing system. Each ticket purchased online can be printed at home or stored on your mobile phone for admission to the event.

Please note that each ticket contains a unique identification scan code. Repeat admissions and/or multiple copies of a ticket will be automatically recognized at the event's point of entry. This will result in your ticket being locked out of the system, making your admission to the event null and void.

All ticket sales are final. Refund only in the event of cancellation.

This is an all-ages event. Click Here For Tickets

Thursday, November 22 2012 More BB Canada House Pictures!

Construction has begun on the Big Brother Canada house outside of Toronto. If you wondered how the HGs would be able to enjoy the pool and other outdoor amenities during the Canadian winter, the great outdoors will be indoors. Like The Glass House, there will be an outdoor set built indoors, hopefully they'll make the hot tub big enough for 12. Check out more pictures on Big Brother Canada's FaceBook page.

Wednesday, November 7 2012 10,000 Apply To Live In "Big Brother" House

November 07, 2012 By Jennifer Cox @ craveonline.com

The popular "Big Brother" reality TV franchise is coming north of the border, and more than 10,000 people have applied to be contestants on the new Slice series.

Taking part in a cross-country audition tour, which just wrapped up, producers of "Big Brother Canada" checked out potential participants in Vancouver, Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, and Toronto. They were vying for the 14 sports available on the show.

The premise of "Big Brother" is relatively simple: people live in a house wired with cameras that watch them 24/7 and they have absolutely no contact with the outside world. Every week the housemates compete in various competitions and vote off one contestant until a final person is left standing and takes home the $100,000 prize. - Read More -

Thursday, November 1 2012 Big Brother House Under Construction

The Slice Network tweeted a tease, the first look at the BB Canada house being built in Vancouver.

Friday, October 26 2012 Big Brother Canada Host Inside Rumors

By: Matthew Boyer (GTP) of BigBrotherNetwork.com The casting for Big Brother Canada may have closed but the new series is still in search of its host and thanks to an anonymous source we have an inside look at which TV personalities may be in the running to be Julie Chen’s new counterpart to the north.

While we have to trust our source on validity (and we do), all of the mentioned names are plausible options for the host role on Canada’s own Big Brother. Let’s take a look at who is allegedly in the running. - Read More -

Tuesday, October 16 2012 Canuck 'Big Brother' contenders bare all

By Cassandra Szklarski, The Canadian Press Turns out Canada has a healthy share of reality show schemers and dreamers.

The casting call for "Big Brother Canada" drew its biggest turnout Sunday when the show made its final audition stop in Toronto.

Reality show veteran Mike (Boogie) Malin was on hand to help choose the wackiest contenders for Canada's first-ever edition of the voyeuristic global smash.

"You've got to know your role - if you're the nerd be the nerd, if you're the party guy be the party guy," advised Malin, a "Big Brother" veteran from Season 2 who won the all-star Season 7 and also competed in Season 14. - Read More -

Wednesday, October 3 2012 Saskatoon teen auditions for Big Brother Canada

By Karin Yeske of News Talk 980 CJME Could you live three months in a house with 13 other people? It could be a reality for one Saskatoon girl auditioning for Big Brother Canada.

Sara Ly, who currently resides in Calgary where she auditioned for the reality television series Big Brother Canada on Sunday. The teen just moved to the city from Saskatoon and said she would represent the city of bridges of she was picked.

“It was really, really fast. It only took three to five minutes,” said Ly of her audition. Ly, along with some family, waited in line among nearly 900 other people.

Ly said five at a time, they were put in a room and asked to explain why they were the best person for the show.

“I’m a girl but I can also be sweet and get people to like me, but also manipulate them,” said Ly, adding she wasn’t impressed by the other competitors.

“This guy really sold himself saying he was a model and in acting but I thought that was kind of fake,” she said.

Now, Ly is making sure her phone is close by in hopes of hearing a “yes” from producers. - Read More -

Monday, October 1 2012 Big Brother Canada Wants You

The Big Brother Canada casting team coming to Toronto on October 14 by Bruce DeMara TheToronto Star

The casting team behind the reality show that has been produced in countries around the world, most notably in the U.S. — where casting for the 15th season is under way — is coming to Toronto on Oct. 14.

It’s the final leg of the “open-call” casting process for the first official Big Brother Canada that is making stops in Calgary, Vancouver, Halifax and Montreal before coming to Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (A Quebec-based version, entitled Loft Story, has had five successful seasons in La Belle Province.)

A total of 14 contestants will eventually be selected, with two alternates just in case, said producer Erin Brock.

So what are they looking for?

“It’s not like these classic talent shows . . .‘Are you a good chef? Are you a good singer? Can you juggle?’ This is really anything goes,” Brock said.

“We are looking for people who stand up for what they believe in, aren’t afraid to speak their mind, aren’t afraid of a little game play. But honestly, we are looking for anything and everything, people who are looking to fall in love, people who are looking to play the game, we’re looking for students, teachers, extroverts, introverts, anything goes,” Brock added. - Read More -

Friday, September 28 2012 Calgarians show off in Big Brother Canada audition tapes

The moment many Calgarians have been waiting for is here — Big Brother Canada is coming to Calgary this weekend.

Auditions will be held at on Sunday at the Sheraton Eau Claire between 8:00AM and 2:00PM.

Online applications and casting details can be found at bigbrothercanada.ca. - Read More - See Videos -

Friday, September 28 2012 What Big Brother Canada wants to see at Calgary auditions

Posted by: Ruth Myles Calgary Herald “We are looking for big personalities and a real range of them, because ultimately, it’s the fit of the whole group together that makes the cast work,” says Barbara Williams, senior vice-president, content, with Shaw Media, on what the casting directors are looking for.

And before you dismiss the concept (and its $100,000 prize for the winner) as piffle, consider this: more than 4,000 of your fellow countrymen and women have uploaded their applications to be on the series that will air on Slice in February 2013.

Williams credits the response to the Everyman factor.

“I know I don’t have a chance of winning American Idol, but I, like every single Canadian, have an equal shot at Big Brother. It’s the accessibility of it. . . . No one goes in the house with a clear advantage.”

But once they’re in, the ones who know how to play the game definitely have the edge. Every week, at least one person is voted out by their fellow contestants. Competitions are held for head of household (who determines which two houseguests are put up for eviction) and power of veto, which allows the winner to veto a nomination. - Read More -

Tuesday, September 25 2012 Big Brother Canada draws crowds in Vancouver

An hours-long lineup stretched outside Canada Place Sunday as hundreds of hopefuls auditioned for a shot at stardom the old-fashioned way: reality TV.

Over 1,000 people were expected to try out for the premiere season of Big Brother Canada, a reality series imported by way of the U.K. and U.S., slated to begin filming in February. Casting calls will be held across the country this week.

The show involves fourteen people living in a “house” — a sound stage in Los Angeles — cut off from contact with the outside world, who remain under 24-hour surveillance while competing to be the last “house guest” standing. The winner receives $100,000 and typically endures three months of lying, backstabbing, humiliating stunts and hangovers for a chance at the prize.

Casting agent Gord Patterson said producers want this version to have a distinctly Canadian contrast to the U.S. version, which has completed its 14th season.

- Read More - You'll also find video of the crowds queued up for the audition at that link. Audition videos have been posted on YouTube Auditions

Tuesday, September 4 2012 Be a HG on The First Ever Big Brother Canada

For years Canadian big Brother fans have been complaining that there's no Big Brother made in Canada, well stop complaining!

Here comes Big Brother Canada!

And now for Big Brother Canada details! Casting for Big Brother Canada started in August and last until January of 2013.

House construction will start in September in Toronto and will contain and indoor/outdoor set
Show will begin February 18 for 10 weeks with 3 one hour episodes per week
Shows will include 2 pre-taped episodes and 1 live eviction episode

All of the format changes in the US version will appear in the Canadian version including Head of Household, Veto, Luxury Competitions etc;. There will also be a jury that will decide the winner of Big Brother and will be sequestered in a separate location. Big Brother Casting Started August 1st!

In case you missed it, the big news Big Brother Canada casting has begun!

Canadians 19 years and older will be able to apply online and in person at open casting calls at select cities across Canada. Starting August 1st online applications will be available at bigbrothercanada.ca. Just send in a short video proving why you are Big Brother Canada material and leave the rest to us. Don’t wait too long though, the submission deadline is October 16, 2012.

Applicants who would rather present their case in person will have 5 opportunities to do so! Locations are as follows, but stay tuned on Wednesday for all the details.
Open Casting Calls:
Vancouver – September 23
Calgary – September 30
Halifax – October 7
Montreal – October 7
Toronto – October 14

So, if you want to be on the inaugural season of Big Brother Canada you better be ready to give it your all. We’re looking for extroverts, conformists, risk takers, adventurers, romantics, leaders, plotters and planners, and of course those who don’t mind a little healthy competition. All successful applicants will be notified by December 20th.

The views expressed here are those of our contributors and may not accurately reflect the true character of the Big Brother participants.