"Big Brother" Spoilers

It's live television. We don't find out who gets evicted until everyone finds out simultaneously. That's perhaps the biggest reason why "Big Brother" stands out from the reality television crowd. So in essence, there aren't any "Big Brother" spoilers. Sure, if you watch the "live" weekly feed you'll get a few hints as to how the house is shaking out during the week. But evictions and the major moments in the show occur live.

I am the first to admit I have searched for spoilers on other reality television shows. I've dipped into the "Reality Steve" website and read insight into what may or may not happen on "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette." For the most part, those "The Bachelor" spoilers have been pretty accurate. Then I would always wonder in retrospect why I didn't just let the show unfold. Was I really that impatient that I had to find out who someone I didn't know was going to pick in some final rose ceremony on "The Bachelor" before it ever played out?

That's one of the many reasons why I think "Big Brother" offers the best reality show on television. Some parts are taped--but the critical "ooh" and "aah" moments are live. It's understandable that a taped show can only hide so many secrets. So the fact that guys like "Reality Steve" can nail the ending isn't really that surprising. I'm sure he digs for his information and sources just like any national news reporter and then presents it to the people who truly want it. There obviously is a demand for "spoilers" because his website seems to draw its share of pageviews.

At the same time, it's kind of frustrating knowing that the information is out there already. We are an impatient society. Perhaps that's part of the reason why reality television stars have so much appeal. We can like them or hate them and then toss them aside in a short amount of time. We get so wrapped up in their lives that we forget our own problems or everyday life pressures. Then we move on to the next big reality star. "Big Brother" allows us to step away and smell the drama vicariously for months at a time. The only hitch is that our curiosity, much like it is in real life, often outweighs our own ability to let things unfold at a regular pace. With "Big Brother", we are forced to wait on the outcome with everyone else. Much like a sporting event, we can only see the true ending as it happens on television. There aren't any true spoilers for "Big Brother" with the exception of what goes on in the house during a given week leading up to eviction.

That's why the show excels in my opinion. For those of us who want a more polished and edited version, there's always shows like "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette." For those of us who enjoy seeing controversy unfold in real time, there is "Big Brother."

I guess it might depend on your appetite, too. Maybe you can't stomach the entire back stabbing, back door and game play that is "Big Brother" on CBS. Sure, a little deception goes a long way on "Big Brother" and might even help you win. On "The Bachelor" on ABC, a little deception is often spun into a character assassination of the individual who was dishonest and not playing for love. Still, the bottom line and end result often for both shows is that people want to be famous or wealthy. Why else would someone go on a reality television show and be subject to the potential scrutiny that comes along with it?
In the end, people who have those types of personalities seem to enjoy being thrust into the spotlight and certainly might want to take advantage of the "air" time. I don't think any of us need a "Big Brother" or "The Bachelor" spoiler to tell us that. I am one of those people who just enjoys both shows-whether it's watching the action unfold "live" or in a taped and edited to perfection fashion.

But as I continue to watch and appreciate reality television for what it is and is becoming, I think there's a need for more show like "Big Brother" that captivate audiences with no potential spoilers and live critical moments. Who else does a post mortem with departing members live? It's fantastic TV.