There have been countless memorable competitions in Big Brother history. In the last 26 seasons, we’ve seen houseguests compete in a wide array of entertaining challenges, including spinning around in tutus, maneuvering chicken eggs through a wired fence, and holding onto a slanted wall for hours. While some Big Brother competitions have only appeared once, others have become an essential part of the game, popping up season after season. Let’s revisit some of the most iconic comps together.
Here are the greatest competitions in Big Brother history …
Best Big Brother competitions: Pressure Cooker
The Pressure Cooker may be the most famous competition in Big Brother history. It was first introduced in Big Brother 6 and later brought back in Big Brother 25. The comp tested a player’s endurance skills by locking them in a transparent box for several hours. The houseguests were instructed to hold onto a red button and not let any part of their body, except their feet, touch the ground. Once a houseguest was eliminated from the competition, they would open a “mystery box,” which contained either a prize or a punishment. The punishments released on the houseguests included rotten eggs and an air horn, making their time in the clear box far from enjoyable.
The first Pressure Cooker lasted almost 14 hours, making it the longest competition in the show’s history. The revival in BB25 nearly tied the record, coming in just four minutes short.
The duration of the comp is not the only reason it is so memorable. In BB6, fan-favorite Kaysar Ridha’s decision to throw the win to Jennifer Vasquez proved to be a disastrous mistake. Jen initially promised to keep Kaysar safe but went back on her word and nominated him for eviction. His eviction devastated fans and solidified the Pressure Cooker’s infamous reputation.
Best Big Brother competitions: OTEV
OTEV was first introduced in Big Brother 7 and has since become a staple of the game. Fans can count on the legendary comp showing up at some point each summer.
The rules are simple. Every season a different totem named “Otev” shows up to host a Veto challenge. “Otev” always appears in different forms. Some previous forms include a sweet tooth shark, an absent-minded alien, and an angry penguin. Otev gives the players a clue, which prompts them to go find a card with the matching answer. In each round, the last player to present Otev with the correct answer is eliminated. The game ends when there is only one player left standing. The winning houseguest is presented with the Power of Veto.
The current Big Brother season featured the shortest Otev competition ever. MJ Manbeck was rewarded with the POV after just one round after her competitors failed to find the right answer to Otev’s clue.
Best Big Brother competitions: BB Comics
BB Comics made its first appearance in Big Brother 16 and has popped up in every season since then. The competition is essentially a spot-the-difference game that tests a player’s ability to memorize small details. The fun part of the challenge is that the comics depict players from the current season. It’s always fun seeing the artist’s take on the current houseguests and usually, there are some fun references from the season hidden in the comic. I look forward to seeing what the BB26 comics will look like.
Best Big Brother competitions: What the Bleep?
“What the Bleep?” also debuted in BB16. The memory comp tests a player’s critical thinking skills. The houseguests are shown audio that has a strategically placed “beep” over one of the words. They must use their memory and context clues to determine what the bleeped-out word may be. Producers always have fun with this comp and usually try to find the most suggestive phrases they can. Big Brother is usually pretty PG but “What the Bleep?” pushes the edge a little bit.
The competition has appeared as both a Head of Household and a Veto comp in the past. It usually appears towards the end of a season since producers need to grab soundbites from throughout the summer. While it may not be Big Brother’s most sophisticated comp, it is a lot of fun. Fans look forward to the cheeky challenge all season long.
Best Big Brother competitions: Slippery Slope
Slippery Slope is one of Big Brother’s oldest challenges. It was first introduced as an HOH competition in Big Brother 8. Houseguest Zach Swerdzewski was the first player to win the now-beloved challenge. The challenge has been included in every season since Season 13.
The rules are simple. The players slide back and forth on a slippery slide in a race to fill up a bowl with liquid. The first houseguest to fill up their bowl wins the competition. In my opinion, it is one of the most entertaining competitions to watch. Not only is it satisfying to see the players slowly fill up their bowls, but it also provides a lot of comedic material. I feel bad laughing at the houseguests slipping on the slope but it is never not funny.
TELL US – DO YOU AGREE WITH OUR LIST? WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BIG BROTHER COMPETITION?