big brotherAt its heart, it has always been a competitive social experiment that puts diverse demographics of people together to cohabit in cramped living quarters under stressful conditions. In order to survive weekly eliminations and reach the final night, it is the smartest strategy, and inherently human nature, to form alliances for trust and protection. big brother Premiered in 2000, and is now entering its 26th season.
Males account for nearly twice as many winners as females, largely due to their tactical choice of cohorts. Many alliances are formed around similarities such as age, race, orientation, family, profession, and very popularly, gender. All-male alliances have historically helped former male winners make it to the end and capture enough jury votes to be victorious. However, all-female alliances are not known to last until the last episode. In fact, there has never been a final three female tie in the US Series.
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All-female alliances never last until the end of Big Brother
There are several reasons
Not since season 4 has an all-female alliance nearly made it to the final three. Many past female contestants formulated grand alliances early in the game and promoted female empowerment as a focal point for working together toward a common goal. However, shortly thereafter, sometimes only episodes later, the coalitions dissolve for one reason or another.
Members can turn on each other over irreconcilable differences, as the coven has in big brother Season 10. The Fatal Five in season 18 saw one female worried that another female member was going to be too emotional of a player and exploited that division to further create tension in the house. Sometimes, the team just never takes off at all, like El Cuatro in season 16. It could be argued that The most successful female alliance are the six members of Girls Girls in season 24Those who resist turn on each other for at least a third of the time by targeting another woman in the house.
Maybe the people of Big Brother are onto something
There are more commonalities
traditional, All-male alliances are somewhat smaller, formed around commonalities and habits such as nerd culture or athleticism. Season 10 “Renegades” Dan and Memphis made the final two, as did season 16 “Hitmen” Derrick and Cody. Season 17 “Rockstars” Johnny Mac and Steve became close friends, calling it the “nerdmance” of the season, before Steve went on to win. The simplification of bonding may allow for a less threatening unity against the complexity of empowering female champions as a valid social statement about the inequities of BB Winners.
Any alliance with fewer members would likely maintain cohesion and longevity in the group and offer uncomplicated communication. “Too many cooks spoil the broth,” but it can also be stated that smaller-sized alliances produce a clear objective that male householders may have found less intellectually-standing to stick to long-term.
Plus, male alliances could have flourished without the additional pressure of forming an alliance around a social justice movement, which instead would allow them to seriously enjoy the game.
Season 26 came very close to a female final three before schemes prevailed over sisters. The two remaining women, each of whom won an impressive number of competitions for both power and safety, also benefited from close two-person relationships throughout the season. So, the story of big brother Smaller alliances leading to greater success could be an integral part in viewers seeing a three-woman finale night anytime soon.