The Most Dramatic Season of 'Big Brother', Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the season you think is the most dramatic!

Updated on May 9, 2024 06:27

Fans of 'Big Brother' know that each season brings its own unique blend of drama, strategies, and surprises, making some seasons stand out more in the annals of reality TV history. However, opinions vary widely about which seasons truly top the drama charts, due to the complex personalities and sudden plot twists characteristic of the show. This variability makes it challenging but interesting to pinpoint the peak of 'Big Brother' drama. By compiling a list where viewers can vote on the seasons they found most dramatic, a clearer picture begins to emerge. This ongoing voting process allows for a dynamic reflection of the audience's evolving opinions, offering a snapshot of consensus among a diverse fanbase. Whether you're a seasoned viewer or a newcomer, your votes help shape the definitive view of the series' most dramatic moments.

What Is the Most Dramatic Season of 'Big Brother'?

1

45
votes
Big Brother 7: All-Stars

This season brought back some of the most memorable and controversial houseguests from previous seasons for an ultimate showdown. The drama was non-stop with intense backstabbing and alliances constantly shifting.
Big Brother 7: All-Stars is the seventh season of the reality television show Big Brother. It premiered on July 6, 2006, and concluded on September 12, 2006. In this season, the show brought back previous contestants from past seasons to compete against each other for a second chance at winning the game and the $500,000 grand prize. The cast consisted of some of the most memorable and strategic players in Big Brother history, making it a highly anticipated and dramatic season.

Premiere date: July 6, 2006

Finale date: September 12, 2006

Number of contestants: 14

Prize money: $500,000

Contestant format: Returning players from previous seasons
2

40
votes
Big Brother 6

John de Mol

This season featured the infamous "Friendship" alliance, who controlled the game for the majority of the season. The tension between the alliance and the other houseguests created a lot of drama, as did the unexpected twists and turns.
Big Brother 6 is widely considered one of the most dramatic seasons of the reality TV show 'Big Brother'. It aired in 2005 and featured a cast of fourteen houseguests who competed for a grand prize of $500,000. This season introduced the theme of 'Summer of Secrets', where each houseguest had their own secret partner in the game without their knowledge. The creator of Big Brother 6 is John de Mol.

Airing Year: 2005

Cast Size: 14

Grand Prize: $500,000

Theme: Summer of Secrets

Secret Partners: Yes
3

27
votes
Big Brother 10

John de Mol

This season featured a unique twist where the houseguests were divided into two groups based on their personality traits. The drama came from the clash between the two groups, as well as the intense gameplay and strategic moves.
Big Brother 10 was the tenth season of the reality TV show 'Big Brother' in the United States. It aired in 2008 and is widely regarded as one of the most dramatic seasons in the show's history.

Winner: Dan Gheesling

Number of Houseguests: 13

Twists: America's Player, Key and Lock

Power Shifts: Throughout the season, alliances continuously shifted, creating unexpected dynamics.

Coaches: Four returning players entered the game as coaches to mentor the new contestants.
4

8
votes
Big Brother 14

John de Mol

This season brought back four returning players as coaches, but they were eventually given the opportunity to enter the game as players themselves. The drama was intense as the dynamic shifted and new alliances formed.
Big Brother 14 was the fourteenth season of the popular reality TV show Big Brother. It aired in 2012 and is widely regarded as one of the most dramatic seasons in the show's history. The season introduced several twists and turns, keeping the houseguests and viewers on the edge of their seats throughout.

Number of Houseguests: 16

Duration: 75 days

Winner: Ian Terry

Runner-up: Dan Gheesling

Prize Money: $500,000
5

12
votes
Big Brother 8

John de Mol

This season had one of the most controversial winners in the show's history, but the drama leading up to the finale was just as intense. The house was divided into two sides, with lots of backstabbing and strategic gameplay.
Big Brother 8 is the eighth season of the popular reality TV show Big Brother. It aired in 2007 and is known for its intense drama and shocking twists.

Contestants: 14

Duration: 82 days

Location: Los Angeles, California

Twists: America's Player, Power of Veto

Winner: Dick Donato
6

12
votes
Big Brother 15

John de Mol

This season was marred by controversy due to the racist and homophobic comments made by several houseguests. The drama was intense both inside and outside of the house, with viewers and former players speaking out against the offensive behavior.
Big Brother 15 is the fifteenth season of the American reality television show, Big Brother. It aired from June 26 to September 18, 2013, and is known for its highly controversial and dramatic moments.

Contestants: 16 houseguests

Twists: Three nominees each week, MVP twist, and America's Favorite Houseguest

House design: Urban pop art theme with bright colors

Live feeds: Available 24/7 online

Challenges: Physical and mental competitions
7

9
votes
Big Brother 16

John de Mol

This season had a dominant alliance that controlled the game for most of the season, but the drama came when members of the alliance turned on each other. The strategic gameplay and blindside evictions kept viewers on the edge of their seats.
Big Brother 16 is the sixteenth season of the reality TV show Big Brother. It aired in the summer of 2014 and is widely regarded as one of the most dramatic seasons in the show's history. The season introduced a new twist called 'Battle of the Block' where the Head of Household nominated two sets of two houseguests, and one set would 'battle' to remove themselves from the block. This season featured a diverse cast with contrasting personalities, leading to intense conflicts and strategic gameplay.

Season: 16

Airing: Summer 2014

Twist: 'Battle of the Block'

Head of Household: Nominated two sets of two houseguests

Houseguests: Diverse cast
8

10
votes
Big Brother 19

John de Mol

This season was controversial due to the perceived bullying and personal attacks on some of the houseguests. The drama was intense as alliances shifted and power players emerged.
Big Brother 19 is the nineteenth season of the reality television series 'Big Brother'. It premiered on June 28, 2017, and concluded on September 20, 2017. This season featured a group of houseguests living together in the 'Big Brother' house, competing in various challenges, forming alliances, and strategizing to avoid eviction each week.

Season Number: 19

Premiere Date: June 28, 2017

Finale Date: September 20, 2017

Number of Houseguests: 16

Duration: 85 days
9

8
votes
Big Brother 11

John de Mol

This season had a unique twist where one of the houseguests was a mole, secretly working for the producers. The drama was intense as the other houseguests tried to figure out who the mole was, and strategic gameplay was at an all-time high.
Big Brother 11 was the eleventh season of the reality TV show Big Brother. It aired in the summer of 2009 and was known for its intense drama, explosive arguments, and strategic gameplay. This season featured a cast of 13 houseguests who competed against each other for a chance to win the $500,000 prize.

Premiere Date: July 9, 2009

Finale Date: September 15, 2009

Number of Houseguests: 13

Location: Los Angeles, California

Duration: 70 days
10

1
votes
Big Brother 12

John de Mol

This season had a strong alliance that dominated the game, but the drama came when one member of the alliance turned on the others. The strategic gameplay and big moves kept viewers entertained until the very end.
Big Brother 12 is the twelfth season of the reality TV show Big Brother. It premiered on July 8, 2010, and concluded on September 15, 2010. This season featured a group of houseguests who competed for a grand prize by living together in a specially designed house with constant surveillance from cameras and microphones. The houseguests faced weekly challenges and evictions, where one houseguest was voted out of the house by their fellow contestants until only one winner remained.

Premiere Date: July 8, 2010

Finale Date: September 15, 2010

Number of Houseguests: 13

Prize Money: $500,000

Host: Julie Chen

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Discussion

Ranking factors for dramatic season

Level of conflict

A dramatic season of 'Big Brother' usually involves several heated arguments and confrontations between houseguests. Look for instances of backstabbing, betrayal, and emotional outbursts that stir up tension and suspense in the house.
Competition intensity

Pay attention to the level of competition among houseguests during weekly challenges and events. A high level of rivalry and the unpredictable nature of competitions can contribute to the overall drama of the season.
Strategic gameplay

Evaluate the strategic moves and alliances formed by houseguests during their time in the house. A season where players are actively engaging in plots, schemes, and manipulations makes for compelling and dramatic television.
Unpredictability

Assess the twists and surprises introduced by the show's producers. Unexpected changes in the game's format, surprise evictions, or the return of previously evicted houseguests can all add to the drama and uncertainty of the game.
Emotional moments

Emotional moments like romantic relationships, deep friendships, tearful confessions, or heartfelt personal stories can contribute to the overall drama and emotional impact of the season. These moments humanize the houseguests and make their experiences more relatable to viewers.
Controversial incidents

Controversial incidents such as inappropriate behavior, rule-breaking, or even the sudden removal of a houseguest from the game can create drama and intrigue within the season.
Eviction suspense

The suspense and build-up leading to weekly evictions, including the campaigning, alliances, and backdoor strategies for survival, can have a significant impact on a season's overall drama.
Houseguest personality dynamics

A diverse and clashing mix of personalities among houseguests is a key factor in creating tension and confrontations. The polarizing nature of strong personalities can increase the sense of drama and entertainment value of the season.
Viewer engagement

Audience involvement is an essential aspect to consider when evaluating the dramatic impact of a season. Fan reactions, online discussions, and voting on events directly related to the game can attest to the show's ability to evoke strong emotions and drama.
Memorable moments

Finally, assess the number of memorable moments within the season–whether they be jaw-dropping strategic moves, shocking betrayals, or even lighthearted, comedic events. These moments will ultimately contribute to what makes a season standout as more dramatic.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most dramatic season of 'Big Brother'. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or season is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

3031 views
156 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each season once every 24 hours. The rank of each season is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most dramatic season of 'big brother'

Since its premiere in 2000, Big Brother has become one of the most popular reality television shows in the world. The show follows a group of strangers living together in a house, with their every move being watched by cameras 24/7. Each week, the houseguests compete in challenges and vote to evict one of their own until only one person remains, who is then crowned the winner and awarded a cash prize. Over the years, Big Brother has seen many dramatic seasons, with alliances forming and breaking, backstabbing, and unexpected twists and turns. But which season stands out as the most dramatic? StrawPoll users have weighed in on this question, and the results may surprise you.