Big Brother 20 Premiere Party Takes Over Slate in NYC
The newest addition of the Big Brothers team, Adam Poch (Season 13) invited me to the premiere party for season 20 of Big Brother. Adam has been putting this event together for years now and always has a ton of former houseguest there to hang out with fans. There’s a giant TV with a DJ, a red carpet for you to take photos on with houseguests and cutouts of Julie Chen and Zingbot.
When I walked into the party the first thing I saw was Kevin from BB19 standing near the door signing autographs for a few children. So if you’re a Big Brother superfan and the first thing you see if one of last years stand out houseguests, you’re gonna start off in a great mood. The party was at a bar named Slate in New York City, Adam has hosted his past few parties here. It’s a long bar with plenty of bartenders on hand so you’re never waiting too long for a drink even in the packed out party.
I took a lap and found Adam, who was kind enough to put me on his guest list. Adam asked me to come outside with him for a second while he greeted some people and there I met even more stars. Outside was Eric from BB08, who was a twist himself in season 8 as “America’s Houseguest”, Johnny Mac, the dentist who everyone became obsessed with in season 17 and finally, Monica Bailey a true legend. She was on season 2 of Big Brother (Dr. Will’s year) which was the season that would set the tone for the next 13 years (after Big Brother 15’s racial meltdown season there were some changes to make the game more light-hearted and fun, some fans as myself prefer these earlier years). Johnny Mac wasn’t even supposed to come but came at the last minute when his dentistry schedule freed up. I took a picture with Monica, Eric and Johnny which felt surreal and then Adam asked me to take a picture of all of them. I got into a short argument with Monica about Android phones vs iPhones which probably would have earned me a night 1 eviction had that been in the house.
Me with Monica Bailey (BB2), Eric Stein (BB8), and Johnny Mac (BB17)
After Adam got them set, he gave me a VIP wristband which I was not expecting at all. This got me access to the alumni area where every single cast member was sitting. There was also tons of free food and an open bar with a jalapeno tequila that any tequila drinker should try out.
My buddy Glenn from Big Brother 18 saw me and came up to me to talk. The first thing he did was ask me how my audition for the show went. Well Glenn, I was at the premiere party and not the premiere so it didn’t go too well. He told me to keep trying out and that most houseguests have tried a few times. Advice Adam had also given me before.
Glenn Garcia (BB18) me and Adam
Then Natalie, also from Big Brother 18, the first person we ever interviewed on the podcast saw me and we caught up. Natalie turned her Big Brother stint into a larger reality career and is also a huge part of The Challenge on MTV, another reality show I’m obsessed with. Big Brother fans who don’t watch the Challenge may want to check out this season airing on July 12th on MTV because it has the teams of Paulie & Natalie and Dayvonne and Jozea, all from Big Brother 18. Jozea was also at the party but I didn’t get a chance to get a picture with him.
Me with Natalie Negrotti (BB18)
In the alumni area, Adam introduced me to Kevin, which I was really excited about. Kevin spent most of his team outside the alumni area, really enjoying talking to fans of the show. If you read stories about him at the casting call this does not surprise you at all.
Me with Kevin Schlehuber (BB19)
Then right before the show started, Big Brother 19 winner Josh Martinez walked in and people were going nuts. He walked in the same exact way you saw him on the show, a big loud meatball. He stood still while watching the cast introductions like he was judging them.
Me with BB19 Champion Josh Martinez
One of the most interesting parts of the party is seeing the cliques of houseguests. Houseguests you watched fight on the show are friends at this point and spend their time with other players from their season.
The most fun I had during the night though was talking with John Tremmel, one of the guys who works in casting. I met John at the audition I went to and was pretty pleased with myself that he remembered me. I definitely want to have John on the podcast, Big Brothers, this year because the casting process of the show is so interesting. John actually auditioned years ago at the same time as Adam. They told me a story about their process where they were told outright you are under no circumstances allowed to talk to anyone else and when John sneezed Adam didn’t even say bless you and John thought he was such an asshole. But that dedication is what got Adam into the house.
Make sure to check out the “Big Brothers” Podcast, available every Friday on iTunes and right here on The Interrobang.
Adam is basically the mayor of Big Brother houseguests. He calls himself the wrangler but he’s more than that at these parties. He’s making sure every houseguest is having a good time as well as the fans. He also puts a crazy amount of effort in to get the best possible houseguests to that party so fans can meet the people they spent an entire summer watching 3 times a week, or psychopaths like myself, 24/7 on the live feeds. I cannot stress enough, Big Brother fans in the NYC area GO TO THESE PARTIES.
Adam gave me a heads up before that I wouldn’t be seeing much of the show, and he was right. Everyone there is so excited to be with other fans and houseguests it’s just too loud to hear the show. That’s why you have DVR though.
Make sure to check out the “Big Brothers” Podcast, available every Friday on iTunes and right here on The Interrobang. The show features “Power of” Vito Calise from SiriusXM’s Bennington show and Adam Poch from Big Brother 13. Adam placed third on his season of the show so who better to get the low down from on what the house is really like. They watch the feeds so all you have to do is watch the show on CBS. Every week Adam will give his power rankings and the guys scour reddits to see what theories are out there. They’ve never been right from a week 1 prediction but luckily “Power of” Vito knows his BB History. Tweet them @BigBrothersPod and follow along all season.
Me with Donny Thompson (BB16)
Adam took a selfie with me, Keith Henderson (BB13) and Monte (BBOTT)
