The summer of 2000 will be remembered for two things: the mapping of the human genome and 'Big Brother.' 1984 is sixteen years behind us, but the ideas put forward in Orwell's book are still with us, though the approach here is not as ominous as Orwell envisioned. A house was built at CBS Studios here in Los Angeles with twenty-eight cameras and 60 microphones. Ten ordinary people volunteered to spend three months under twenty-four hour surveillance. Who conducts the surveillance? You and Big Brother.
‘Big Brother’ started in the Netherlands, where citizens rose to the occasion, making it the highest rated show the country had ever seen. Having thrilled over half the television viewers in the Netherlands, Big Brother brought his house to Germany. The German House Guests became singing sensations and banished guests were elevated to celebrity status overnight. ‘Big Brother’ became the most watched show in the history of European television.
Now ‘Big Brother’ is in America. The show airs five nights a week on CBS (check local listings) with 24/7 coverage here on the Web site.
