"Big Brother" House Inspires Nostalgia

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/11/earlyshow/main4251737.shtml

Houseguests Will Play The Game In Rooms With Decor From Different 20th Century Styles

(CBS) As always, it's a numbers game at "Big Brother."

For this 10th season of the CBS reality series, the house is equipped with 52 cameras and 95 microphones, recording the every move of 13 brand new houseguests. They'll be voted out one-by-one until the last person walks away with the $500,000 prize.

Nostalgia is the inspiration for the design of this year's house - a traditional American home with rooms inspired by different eras of the last half of the 20th century.

"It doesn't matter which American era you're nostalgic for," the show's co-executive producer Allison Grodner told Early Show co-anchor Julie Chen. "The rooms represent practically every decade since the 1950s."

The kitchen is done up like a 1950s diner, plus there's a bedroom with children's furniture reminiscent of the era.

Grodner notes that some of the younger houseguests may not recognize some of the retro household items like record players or lava lamps. But, she says there's a solution.

"We have a real diversity of age this season. We have from 22 to 75," she said. "And I think the 75-year-old is going to have to teach the 22-year-old."

The 22-year-old is an all-natural body builder named Jesse. The 75-year-old is a great-grandfather named Jerry. They'll be living in the house with 11 other complete strangers.

In past seasons, "Big Brother" has often surprised the houseguests with a twist. But, this year the show returns to its original format.

"'Big Brother 10' is an opportunity to go back to basics, if you will, to go back to where 'Big Brother' started," Grodner said. "(It's) the concept of strangers in a house dueling it out for a half million dollar prize."

The houseguests will literally be sleeping with the enemy in a 1960s style bedroom complete with waterbeds and peace sign pillows. There's also a 1980s room complete with a copy of the original hat worn by members of the quirky new wave band Devo.

"Big Brother 10" premieres Sunday night at 8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. Central on CBS.