When you make a purchase through links in our articles, Future and its distribution partners may earn a commission.
Source: CBS/Paramount+
For me, as a fan «Big Brother, It's that time of year again. Summer is so close I can smell it, and my anticipation for the Season 28 premiere is palpable. «Big Brother» It's grown so much that until the new season airs in 2026, I'll only be satisfied with rewatching previous seasons. After watching several seasons, I realized that one plot twist has become quite annoying and should never happen again: eliminating contestants without the traditional nomination and voting process.
Such a horrific turn of events certainly doesn't happen every season, but it got a second wind last season when the legend «Big Brother» Rachel Reilly was eliminated after a hamster wheel challenge. I'm not going to dwell on that particular nightmare now, but it haunted me when I rewatched Season 18 and saw Glenn Garcia eliminated on the second day after the competition. There was no vote to determine his elimination; he simply narrowly lost the competition that determined his elimination.
Source: CBS/Paramount+
In season 19, Cameron Hurd was eliminated on the first day, also after a series of competitions. Technically, he kicked out by vote, but it wasn't the usual process (he ended up being one of three nominees after half the contestants were saved by friendship bracelets handed out by Paul, and the remaining ones competed for safety).
In the 21st season of the reality show «Big Brother» David Alexander was among four contestants "kicked out," ultimately leading to his elimination on the first day of Season 21. All of these seasons featured some kind of unexpected twist that could have brought them back into the game, but none of the eliminated contestants ever returned.
Photo: Marnie Grossman/Paramount+
I know these weren't the first contestants eliminated without going through the usual nomination, veto, and voting process. I'll never forget Jodie Rollins' exit in Season 14. «Big Brother» , and I have a vague memory of the first elimination (or eliminations) in Season 9 of Big Brother« , which was an unexpected turn of events, but my memories of that season are fuzzy. The point is, in Big Brother« There have been surprise eliminations before, including as recently as last season, and they were never spectacular or exciting.
I can't say I was particularly upset when any of those early eliminations happened, as we barely had a chance to get to know them. Still, what's the point of introducing someone to the game only to kick them out without ever really playing? "Expect the unexpected," I get it, but it feels like a huge waste of time on a plot twist that never quite works.
I understand there's a high-risk element to this turn of events, creating tension as the contestants struggle to stay in the game, but it's such a fleeting moment of excitement, and I don't think the outcome has ever been so exciting and interesting as to justify the player's closure. At best, we'll be relieved that those we root for the most are safe, and at worst... well, just wait until Season 27.
I understand that in every season «To Big Brother» Changes have to be made to keep players on edge and viewers waiting for the outcome. I'm sure it's challenging work, and risks have to be taken. However, if the results of unexpected plot twists in the past have ranged from neutral to dire, perhaps they should be abandoned in the future?
I'll just add that, regarding the "squirrel wheel" plot twist from last season, I'm actually not opposed to competitions where each player chooses who will be eliminated next, with a ticking clock and some serious stakes—head of house, secret power, punishment, whatever. I think the "Reindeer Games" competition has the potential to be a successful addition to the traditional season. «Big Brother» , just not for the participant to be eliminated as a result.
Meanwhile, after the surprise elimination of a contestant last season that saw Rachel Reilly leave the house, I'm hoping that «Big Brother» will officially put an end to such scenarios. The result did not meet expectations.