"It's 3:00 a.m. on a Saturday night. A group of sixteen strangers have all left their regular lives behind and have been herded into a soundstage dressed to resemble a house sitting on the edge of a studio lot. Some of them will live here for the next one hundred days. From three thousand miles away, I watch them sleep." ~ 1%
I have been obsessed with the CBS original reality show, Big Brother, since its inception. Actually since Season 2 because real fans agree that the first season does not count. A new book is hitting shelves in late November titled Behind the Mirror. It is a detailed look inside of the iconic television show. It dives deep into the game that never sleeps, season by season.
For those unfamiliar, Big Brother is one of the original reality series. Sixteen strangers are sequestered in a house with no contact with the outside world. No news, no phones, no technology and very limited censored correspondence. They are watched every second until evicted from the house one by one. Viewers—including myself—tune in to live 24/7 feeds and broadcast episodes that air three (3) times every week, every summer. The community is oh so serious: we podcast, take over social media timelines, have our own vocabulary, participate in fantasy leagues and obsessively check live updates. IYKYK
"It made me consider the other shows I watched and the ease with which I could be manipulated into liking or disliking a person based on how the show decided to edit them." ~ 49%
Behind the Mirror is the best literary source for all things Big Brother US. It is a must-read for all BB fans. Reading Armstrong's research, interviews and insight was like having a long conversation with a fellow superfan. I was nodding my head in agreement, responding aloud as if Armstrong and I were in the backyard hammock together. There were houseguests that I forgot all about (Dani and Jason starting secret alliances) while all the pertinent ones (The Cookout, Jun the queen of floaters, Dan's perfect game, Chilltown, What up, Kaysaaaaaar!) had whole chapters dedicated to their gameplay.
This book is so well done and necessary for the BB culture. You are absolutely in good company, Armstrong! It is a pleasure sharing this space with you. To my Bookhearts/BB Superfans, adding Behind the Mirror to your TBR is akin to voting with the house. Do it!
Happy Early Pub Day, Taran Armstrong! Behind the Mirror will be available Tuesday, November 25.
Side Note: BB27 jury starts tomorrow!
Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie
Title: Behind the Mirror: Inside the World of Big Brother
Author: Taran Armstrong
Published: November 2025
Pages: 416
Edition: Galley
Genre: Nonfiction
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤
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