1. Headline   1. Headline Image: “Big Brother” cast Monty
Brinton  /  CBS Love is in the air as the 16 new houseguests are
paired up to compete in season nine of “Big Brother.” msnbc.com
contributor updated 2/12/2008 11:16:25 AM ET 2008-02-12T16:16:25
"Big Brother," the most egregious evidence that writers have
been on strike for more than three months, debuts Tuesday night.
It's the reality competition series' ninth season, and its first
to not air from July to August, when rational, otherwise-
occupied people typically ignore it and those of us who
obsessively watch for three months and then hate ourselves
afterwards can blame the summer heat for our poor judgment.  As
usual, the show has introduced a controlling twist, which is
identified in this season's tagline: "'Til Death Do You Part."
The 16 houseguests will each be paired with a "soulmate,"
emphasis on the scare quotes, someone who the producers have
decided is their perfect match based upon a survey everyone
filled out when applying for the series.