My 6 Best Tips to the New Big Brother Houseguests in an Open Letter (Updated for 2015)

Dear Future Houseguest,

Congratulations on making it into the Big Brother house, just getting into the Big Brother house is not an easy task.

But remember, it’s a privilege to be there.

It’s a privilege that many people would literally kill for. Keep that in mind while you are locked in the house and want to complain about there not being your favorite kind of food, or coffee, soap, etc.

Remember you were selected out of 1000s of people.

Enjoy every minute, because as you have seen in the past, your entire Big Brother experience can be over in a split second.

Every “dull” moment in the house, gives you the opportunity to make something happen that would normally never happen in your real life. Take advantage of the fact you can be a little kid, with no real life responsibilities like grocery shopping, alarm clocks, or a job.

It truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity (and if you make the best of your experience, a twice in a lifetime opportunity) that you can never buy your way into. No matter how much money, clout, or power you have, you can never negotiate your way into the experience you are about to embark on.

Embrace the experience, enjoy every second (even when you’re in trouble), treat it like a privilege and you will defeat half of the mental struggles you will encounter during the game.

If you’re reading this letter thinking that I’m full of it and that CBS is lucky to have you on the show, then stop reading this letter.

There’s always room for egos on Big Brother, but if you think you’re above the game, you can eat it. I’ll enjoy watching you get owned this season in more ways than one.

If you are able to sit back and truly comprehend how lucky you are to be entering the Big Brother house, then continue reading this letter for my 6 best tips to make this a memorable experience for you as opposed to an epic train wreck that you’ll regret.

Tip #1 – Play the Game Hard

Big Brother is a game.

If you see Big Brother as anything besides a game, or are in it for other reasons like spring-boarding an acting/singing/modeling/whatever career, just self-evict before the game starts.

I’m serious.

You’re better off spending 3 months in LA going to open calls and getting “discovered” that way.

So if you entering the Big Brother house with your main goal being something OTHER than winning $500,000, I personally hope you get evicted before the game starts.

However if any of this does not apply to you, just remember to always play the game hard.

In moments that seem like everything is stacked against you, don’t back down and quit. Find a way out and keep fighting.

The game changes ALL the time and you can take advantage of that, as long as you play the game down to the last minute.

If you always focus on the game (while not appearing to do so) small opportunities to save yourself will present themselves to you when you least expect it.

Regardless of how it plays out, if you play the game hard everyone will respect that you made the most out of your opportunity because you didn’t quit or give up.

Tip #2 – Remember It Is A Television Production

Yes, Big Brother is a game, but it is also a major Reality TV PRODUCTION. You are an enormous part of the production, so play your role.

Any chance you have to make a big move, make it exciting.

Some solid moves that were made in the past have been all but forgotten, because they weren’t exciting.

An alliance flip in the game isn’t that fun to watch if you let the person know it’s coming ahead of time.

Find a way to infuse some part of your personality into the showmanship of the production. If you’ve been cast for Big Brother you definitely have the ability to be a showman (or woman) so do it!

Sometimes it doesn’t even take much to make a normal game move way more entertaining to watch. You’ll have a LOT of time in the house to think, spend a little bit of the time thinking how you can help entertain in your own unique way.

One note of caution…

Be extra careful when trying to make a move entertaining outside the safety of the Diary Room walls. Pick and choose your moments of showmanship, because when you make a big move in “public” you’ve got to make it count.

Personally, I can always tell what Houseguests understand it’s a production, and which do not. Those that do understand, regardless of their showmanship execution, I always appreciate their effort to make the show better.

Tip #3 – Understand It’s All Been Done Before

This game has been played many many times before. With the exception of new twists, it has all been done before.

Big crazy moves have been made. Alliances have been destroyed. Showmances have been formed and broken up many times over.

There is little room for ingenuity in the game now, and that’s OK.

What I’m trying to say is, don’t try to make a carbon copy of something memorable that’s happened in a prior season because it won’t work.

The Houseguests have gotten smarter as the seasons have gone on. The majority of the other Houseguests (hopefully) have watched the seasons before just like you.

So if it’s all been done before, what are you supposed to do?

Show your personality.

There’s never been a person exactly like you in the house before. That’s what makes each season different, the people, not the same game moves.

For as much as I hate the advice “just be yourself” when it applies to GETTING CAST on the show, that’s the best advice once you are actually ON THE show.

Don’t try to act like a former Houseguest, just be yourself, it will be way more fun to watch.

There’s a ton that can be learned from former Houseguests’ games, so use that to your advantage. Emulate their games, but not their personalities.

You individually, are the only thing that hasn’t been seen before on the show. That’s what we want to watch.

Tip #4 – They’re Not Your Friends

No one in the game is your friend. They’re your opponents.

When the game is all set and done, you might talk to a small handful of the Houseguests when you go home.

For as much fun as it sounds like in Week 1, to start planning your cast reunion next summer, it’s not going to happen.

(Someone ALWAYS brings it up, guaranteed.)

Although it sounds cynical, it’s the truth.

The reason I’m telling you this is because most people will have the opportunity to make it to the 2nd half of the game, but don’t because they feel bad voting out their “friends.”

They’re not your friends, most of them are roadblocks to you winning $500,000 and bringing the money home to your REAL friends and family.

Notice I said MOST of them are roadblocks in your game.

The only game-related advice I can give you is that you cannot win Big Brother alone. You’ve got to trust one person, and whomever you place your trust in ultimately decides your success in the game.

While you CAN make a true friend or two while playing the game (hey Memphis), it’s extremely rare. A friendship can arise from an immense amount of trust developed in the house over time, but it’s not common.

Most people go their separate ways and become minor acquaintances. So what does that really mean to you?

Don’t hesitate to make any moves in the game because of “friendship.” If someone tries to play the “friend” card with you in the game, chances are they are anything but.

Tip #5 Respect the Game

Big Brother is a fun, summer, Reality TV show. Big Brother becomes one thousand times better when you don’t take the game (or yourself) too serious.

The only thing that is serious about Big Brother is respecting the game.

You’ve been entrusted with the privilege of playing and respecting the game.

There are only two things you can do that will cause the ultimate disrespect to those who have created, played, or watched Big Brother.

#1 – Voluntarily quit the game and or break production rules.

If you quit the game, because things aren’t going your way, or the experience isn’t what you thought it was, or can’t handle it, that’s garbage. Tough it out, there are thousands of others who would do anything to be in your spot.

If you do something to disrupt production knowingly, you instantly earn the status of “worst person ever.” There’s a large team of people who depend on you to simply play a game. That’s it! Your decision to mess with the game affects way more people than just yourself.

#2 – Say the game isn’t “fair.”

You agreed to subject yourself to any twists/punishments in the game, so take it on the chin when it happens. People who embrace the game often have the best experiences. If you think the game isn’t fair, chances are you just got played.

Tip #6 Be Smart

Whether you like it or not, everything you say while you’re on Big Brother will be picked apart, both for the good and the bad.

We got a taste of the bad side of Reality TV during Season 15, don’t repeat that.

Be smart in how you conduct yourself, if someone is saying something that you know is wrong, get up and walk away, or even better try correcting the person politely.

Make no mistake, it is not easy living under cameras 24×7, but that does not excuse anything stupid you may say.

Even if you “might not have meant” or “didn’t know any better” it is no excuse, you’re going to be held to a higher standard, and frankly if you’re on national tv you should already know that.

Make your season about the game and strategy that will be remembered, not about controversial topics and ignorance that sours the entire season.

Just be smart.

In Closing…

Truly enjoy the experience you’re about to embark on it. It comes and goes very fast.

Embrace the tough, ridiculous times, because chances are those will be the memories you look back and laugh at.

This game is not going to be easy.

It can get stressful.

It can get emotional.

But always remember, no matter what happens, it’s just a game.

Good luck,

Dan Gheesling

Tip#7 What To Do When The Next Season Starts (Added for 2015)

After your experience on the show, and the brief (30-60 day) pseudo-fame whirlwind is over, it’s time to figure out how (or even IF) you still want to be involved with Big Brother.

Some people choose to play the game and go back to their normal lives, and some people choose to stick around the community in some capacity (having a web show, blogs, commenting on Twitter, etc).

If you choose to stick around, understand when the new season starts, it is time to hang up “your” season. It’s over. The sooner you realize this the better you will provide value to the people who supported you.

Everything that happens on the new season doesn’t relate or compare to something that happened on your season. Enjoy and embrace the new cast/season/twists, without always tying it back to you.

If you’re going to be involved in the community, add value to it. You can add value by sharing your opinion on the season, and not comparing it to something that happened in “your season” during some random competition week 3.

Believe it or not people would rather hear your opinion about what is going on THIS season, than hear you talk about the “glory days.”

I share this with you because if you’re reading this letter, chances are you really love the show, community, and most importantly the game. Add insight and commentary and apply it to what is going on in the game right now, not what happened 12/24/36 months ago.

Be more like a color commentator for a sports event, not the player who has stuck around too long talking about the “good old days,” but most importantly have fun with it.

It isn’t a competition anymore (although you’ll find some former houseguests on Twitter who act that way), just find your own way to add value back to the community, and you’ll have a great experience enjoying a season from the sidelines.

Did You Apply and Not Get Cast?

I often get emails (and now snapchats) from people who made it to the Finals in casting, and either were picked as an alternate, or turned down at some point in casting (Finals/Semifinals.)

It took me four years to get cast on Reality TV…hang in there.

It’s not what you want to hear, but keep applying for the show you want to be on. It will pay off eventually.

For those of you who need help dealing with the sting, or want to get better at the casting process, I’d encourage you to listen to my podcast.

It is released every Monday, and I answer questions from the listeners doing my best to help answer their casting questions.

The podcast is available on HowToGetOnRealityTV.net, in video format on YouTube, and of course iTunes.

If you have a casting question you want answered you can submit a voicemail question here!

The podcast and information on the show and website has helped people get cast on a wide range of shows, so if you’re interested, be sure to check it out!