‘Big Brother’ on CBS is casting. How to audition, what to know about reality TV show

"Big Brother" is casting for season 26. Are you up for the challenge?

The long-running reality TV show is accepting applications for its next batch of housemates, according to CBS’ casting site. If you want to audition, know what you’re (potentially) signing up for. Lots of cameras and mics are used in “Big Brother.”

In August 2023, reality TV personality Tyler Crispen, who competed on “Big Brother” during season 20 in 2018 and season 22 in 2020 during all-stars, shared his tips and memories about his time in the “Big Brother” house with the Cincinnati Enquirer. Though he placed second and sixth, respectively, he remains positive about the show and the opportunities that came with the national exposure.

"I gave 'Big Brother 20' 110% of my effort,” said Crispen. “Everyday, I was thinking about what I needed to do. I was running through 15 different relationships in my head every single night."

Crispen said he was “insanely grateful” for being chosen as a houseguest — twice. The reality TV experience opened other doors for him: "With my skill set from 'Big Brother,' I kind of felt that could translate already” to another show. After two appearances on “Big Brother,” the former lifeguard from Ohio put on 25 pounds after training physically for "The Challenge: USA,” a spin-off of “The Challenge” on MTV.

Below are things to know about the reality TV competition, audition tips and what to expect at the “Big Brother” house.

What is ‘Big Brother’ reality TV show about?

Hosted by Julie Chen Moonves since 2000, “Big Brother” follows a group of people living together in a house outfitted with 94 cameras and 113 microphones, recording their every move 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, according to the show’s official bio on CBS online. The casting eligibility requirements reiterate the heart of the contest: those interested must be willing to live in the “Big Brother” house in Los Angeles for about 100 days with about a dozen strangers “where you will have little or no privacy.” Also, the rules state, “the house is extensively outfitted with video and audio recording devices which will record, broadcast and exhibit your actions and voice at all times, 24 hours a day, seven days a week in every room of the house for the duration of your participation in the contest. You will be observed at all times by the producers as well as the general public watching on television, the internet, mobile devices and any and all other media.”

Someone gets voted out of the house every week until there’s one last remaining houseguest. Winner gets $750,000.

How do you audition for ‘Big Brother’ reality TV show on CBS?

Though there are occasional open casting calls in person, producers encourage every applicant to apply online at cbs.com/casting or bigbrothercasting.tv. Be prepared to upload photos and a video of yourself. Producers will contact you if you’ve been selected for “call-backs” or final interviews.

How old do you have to be to audition for ‘Big Brother?’

Those interested in auditioning for season 26 of “Big Brother” must be 21 as of June 1, 2023, according to the show’s casting site.

What are producers looking for if you audition for ‘Big Brother’ reality show?

Think you’d be a good fit for “Big Brother” reality TV competition? The casting site states: “The producers are looking for a dynamic group of individuals who are articulate, interesting and exhibit enthusiasm for the project as well as a willingness to share their most private thoughts in an open forum of strangers. This group of individuals, while meeting the technical requirements of the program, must also have sufficient physical, psychological and mental capacity to endure approximately 100 days in a monitored house under extraordinary conditions.”

In his interview with the Cincinnati Enquirer, two-time “Big Brother” contestant Tyler Crispen said there’s one strategic move he would revisit: "If I did have a regret on 'Big Brother,' it would probably be on 'All-Stars.' Not going in with the right mindset. I feel like I wasn't in a good place personally at the time. COVID going on, I was dealing with some mental health issues. If there was anything I would change, it would be to take care of that before I got into the (‘Big Brother’) house and not have to deal with it in the most high intense pressure cooker environment that there possibly is."

When will you hear if you made it to the next round of casting for ‘Big Brother?’

After filling out an application online, the casting site gives these approximate timelines and info about “call-backs”:

Applicants who move on to the next round could be notified by phone as early as March and as late as May.

Because of the volume of applications, “Big Brother” producers will not contact every person who applies. If applicants have not heard from producers by June 30, “then unfortunately you did not make it on to the next round this season.”

When is filming for ‘Big Brother’ reality show on CBS?

Exact dates for filming the next season of “Big Brother” are TBA, according to the official casting site. Move-in dates are typically scheduled between mid-June and July 1, and houseguests chosen should be prepared to stay in Los Angeles until mid-September.

Why audition for ‘Big Brother’ reality show on CBS?

Five years after competing on “Big Brother,” Crispen reflected on his experience in the house: "I'm proud of my young 23-year-old crazy self that I was able to get through that game. It's such a blessing. I look back on it with nothing but happy memories."

He does, however, get asked what he would do if he was invited back to the house. His advice? "Don't get tunnel vision. I feel like 'Big Brother's a game. You really have to be fluid. It's so easy to get tunnel vision and go down a rabbit hole of 'coulda shoulda wouldas.' If you kind of stick to your integrity, stick to your plan, whatever you're going in with, you could play fluid, you could move like water and adapt, then you're going to be able to do pretty well on 'Big Brother.' And just enjoy the experience because it's once in a lifetime. If you're lucky, you can do more than that."

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: ‘Big Brother’ casting call: When show films, rules, eligibility info