Big Brother was started by Endemol. It first aired in Holland. In 2000, it was started in many other countries (UK, USA, Spain, Germany, etc.)...

" BIG BROTHER 5 will follow a group of strangers living together in a house outfitted with dozens of cameras and microphones recording their every move 24 hours a day. One by one, the houseguests will vote each other out of the house. At the end of three months, the last remaining houseguest will receive the grand prize. " [Quote from CBS Press Release]

" BIG BROTHER is the summer series that follows a group of strangers sharing a house--a house equipped with cameras and microphones to record their every move, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. BIG BROTHER is an exciting, fierce, dramatic COMPETITION that will require players to use brain, brawn and charm to win. In the end, one houseguest will walk away with the cash grand prize. " [Quote from CBS BB5 website]

Jmolnar.net/BB5: Your source for all the latest Big Brother 5 USA news... Accessed anywhere, anytime.