Big Brother: The Boss
Encyclopedia
Big Brother: The Boss (also known as Big Brother Arabia) was a 2004 Arabic-language television show, based on the worldwide hit Big Brother
, in which contestants live in a specially built house while competing for a prize. The show was aired on MBC 2
with a big prize $100 000, not won because of the cancellation.
The show was filmed in the Amwaj Islands
in Bahrain
. It was hoped that the show would follow the success of such popular programs as Star Academy
, and the recent dating show "Al Hawa Sawa," but failed to do so, and instead the show gained major controversy in the countries it aired in.
Many were offended by the fact that it featured six men and six women living together in one area, despite staying in separate parts of the house, and the only way of communicating with each other was in open areas such as the kitchen and garden.
The show began on airing 21 February, and was discontinued 11 Days later on 2 March to avoid more controversy in the Arab World, specifically, the Arabian Peninsula
. During the first (and only) nominations Asjan, Bashara, Najwa and Shaza were nominated. However, an eviction never took place.
. She is best known for being the only female Housemate to wear the traditional Hijab
. She was unpopular with several housemates (namely Abdullah, Amal, Asjan, Bashara, Faris and Najwa) who labelled her "boring", but, when it came to nominations, only Bashara nominated her.
. He was also one of the four Housemates Nominated for Eviction.
. She was the only housemate to receive no nominations during the first and only round of nominations.
. She was up for Eviction as well in the only round of Nominations. She was the most popular housemate in the outside world.
. She, along with Asjan, Bashara, and Najwa was Nominated for Eviction in the first round of Nominations. She was the least popular housemate in the outside world.
Big Brother (TV series)
Big Brother is a television show in which a group of people live together in a large house, isolated from the outside world but continuously watched by television cameras. Each series lasts for around three months, and there are usually fewer than 15 participants. The housemates try to win a cash...
, in which contestants live in a specially built house while competing for a prize. The show was aired on MBC 2
MBC 2
MBC 2, formerly Channel 2, is a free-to-air 24-hour movie channel owned by the MBC Group. The channel has broadcast as a satellite TV channel since 2002...
with a big prize $100 000, not won because of the cancellation.
The show was filmed in the Amwaj Islands
Amwaj Islands
Amwaj Islands are a group of man-made islands located in the northeast of Bahrain, near the coast of Muharraq island. It covers roughly 2 790 000 m² ....
in Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
. It was hoped that the show would follow the success of such popular programs as Star Academy
Star Academy
Star Academy is a highly successful television show format based on the Spanish format "Operación Triunfo" produced by Endemol, that has been broadcast in over 50 countries...
, and the recent dating show "Al Hawa Sawa," but failed to do so, and instead the show gained major controversy in the countries it aired in.
Many were offended by the fact that it featured six men and six women living together in one area, despite staying in separate parts of the house, and the only way of communicating with each other was in open areas such as the kitchen and garden.
The show began on airing 21 February, and was discontinued 11 Days later on 2 March to avoid more controversy in the Arab World, specifically, the Arabian Peninsula
Arabian Peninsula
The Arabian Peninsula is a land mass situated north-east of Africa. Also known as Arabia or the Arabian subcontinent, it is the world's largest peninsula and covers 3,237,500 km2...
. During the first (and only) nominations Asjan, Bashara, Najwa and Shaza were nominated. However, an eviction never took place.
Ala'a
Ala'a Omar is a 30-year-old from OmanOman
Oman , officially called the Sultanate of Oman , is an Arab state in southwest Asia on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea on the...
. She is best known for being the only female Housemate to wear the traditional Hijab
Hijab
The word "hijab" or "'" refers to both the head covering traditionally worn by Muslim women and modest Muslim styles of dress in general....
. She was unpopular with several housemates (namely Abdullah, Amal, Asjan, Bashara, Faris and Najwa) who labelled her "boring", but, when it came to nominations, only Bashara nominated her.
Asjan
Asjan Hadad is 26 years old and also from Egypt. She was one of the four Housemates up for Eviction in the first round of Nominations. She, along with Najwa, was the most popular housemate in the outside world.Bashara
Bashara is a 29-year-old boutique owner from LebanonLebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
. He was also one of the four Housemates Nominated for Eviction.
Kauthar
Kauthar Altareeki is 32 years old and from TunisiaTunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
. She was the only housemate to receive no nominations during the first and only round of nominations.
Najwa
Najwa Hamoud is 31 years old and from SyriaSyria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
. She was up for Eviction as well in the only round of Nominations. She was the most popular housemate in the outside world.
Shaza
Shaza Sabt is a 29-year-old actress from BahrainBahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
. She, along with Asjan, Bashara, and Najwa was Nominated for Eviction in the first round of Nominations. She was the least popular housemate in the outside world.
Nominations table
| Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abdul | Shaza, Mazen |
Ejected (Day 11) |
|
| Abdullah | Najwa, Asjan |
Ejected (Day 11) |
|
| Ala'a | Bashara, Michael |
Ejected (Day 11) |
|
| Amal | Shaza, Najwa |
Ejected (Day 11) |
|
| Asjan | Amal, Bashara |
Ejected (Day 11) |
|
| Bashara | Asjan, Ala'a |
Ejected (Day 11) |
|
| Faris | Abdul, Michael |
Ejected (Day 11) |
|
| Kauthar | Shaza, Amal |
Ejected (Day 11) |
|
| Mazen | Asjan, Bashara |
Ejected (Day 11) |
|
| Michael | Najwa, Faris |
Ejected (Day 11) |
|
| Najwa | Faris, Abdullah |
Ejected (Day 11) |
|
| Shaza | Abdul, Abdullah |
Ejected (Day 11) |
|
| Against public vote |
Asjan, Bashara, Najwa, Shaza |
||
| Evicted | Eviction cancelled |
||
The House
The house was mainly segregated for the male and female housemates. Single-sex bedrooms, bathrooms and prayer rooms were provided and the only parts of the house accessible to both sexes were the kitchen and garden areas. Parts of the house (e.g. the women's bedroom) were monitored by female camera operators only. Five times a day, Big Brother would announce to the housemates the time for prayer.Cancellation
Producers decided to cancel the show, as there were many complaints from viewers, and complaints on Arab radio talkshows. The shows producers actually went into the house in person to inform the housemates that it was to be cancelled. Many of the Housemates were devastated at the news that they had to leave. Had the eviction gone ahead, Shaza would have been evicted with 65% of the vote. Bashara received 20%, Asjan received 10%, whilst Najwa received 5%. This remains the only series of Big Brother in the world to be cancelled and not have a winner.External links
- Tegenlicht - Dutch documentary series which featured a two part episode about the show. Includes Real Media stream of episode.