Initially advertised as the longest and most "supersized" season of Big Brother Canada, it was themed around superheroes and villains before turning into the franchise's most unique season. Following Nico Vera's walk during the first week, this season only featured one eviction, and the franchise's first two ejections from the show.
It was then followed by a complete shut down of the show due to the 2019-2020 COVID-19 Pandemic, resulting in it being the shortest season in BBCAN history.[1] Due to the early ending, there was no official winner, although Brooke Warnock and Sheldon Jean were the last two to leave the house, in an order predetermined by production. Due to no winner, the prize money was given to a COVID-19 relief charity, as opposed to being split among the remaining twelve houseguests.
After a record viewership, Arisa Cox would go on to announce the new season on a video on the Big Brother Canada Twitter account.[3] The message initially scared fans of another cancellation with a message that was portrayed in a similar way that it was announced the show had gone on hiatus after season 5.
On January 20, 2020, the official Big Brother Canada Twitter account, tweeted out a wide picture with a small logo inside stating that this season would be "Super Sized". The tweet stated, "Something big is coming..." followed by "...March 4 👏", officially revealing the start date for season 8.[2][4]
Airing Schedule[]
On January 20, 2020, Corus Entertainment announced the airing schedule for the season:
Toronto, Canada – Canada’s most iconic social TV experiment is upping the ante as Global announces a supersized eighth season of Big Brother Canada kicking off with an epic two-night premiere Wednesday, March 4 at 7 p.m. ET/PT and Thursday, March 5 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, followed by the dramatic fallout on Sunday, March 8 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. With series host Arisa Cox and a new cast of unsuspecting houseguests, the series returns three nights a week with all-new episodes Wednesdays (7 p.m. ET/PT), Thursdays (8 p.m. ET/PT), and Sundays (8 p.m. ET/PT), in addition to free live feeds from inside the house at BigBrotherCanada.ca. Last season, Big Brother Canada averaged 1.2 million viewers (Ind. 2+) per episode, making it the highest-rated season to date. So just how supersized is this season? Fans will find out during the season premiere on March 4![5][6]
Global announced the cast around 3 PM EST on February 26, 2020, revealing the comic book theme, even showcasing drawings of the 16 new houseguests and host Arisa Cox in comic book style.[7][8]
'Big Brother Canada' Season 8 House Tour With Arisa Cox EXCLUSIVE
On February 15, 2020, the Diary Room chair was leaked on Instagram by Ideal Sofa Canada, who quickly took it down after being informed that they posted it too early.
[9][10]
The house has a Superhero/Comic Book theme and was officially revealed in full on February 24, 2020.
[11]
House Photos[]
Living Room
Living Room
Kitchen
HOH Room
Bathroom
Backyard
Diary Room Hallway
Diary Room
Have-Not Room
Manga Room
Hot Tub Area
Expedia Lounge
Stage Entrance
ET Canada Season Preview[]
Big Brother Canada’s Supersized Season 8 Preview with ET Canada
Just like in previous seasons, ET Canada continued it's yearly tradition of previewing the season. For season 8, the preview would take place on Sunday, March 1st at 8 p.m. ET/PT, unusual to the normal weekday slot. However, since it is outside of the normal weekday slot, ET Canada would end up replacing the shorter version of the preview with an hour-long special named Big Brother Canada’s Supersized Season 8 Preview with ET Canada. During the special, ET Canada will feature "sit-down interviews with this season’s cast, an exclusive tour of the new BBCAN house with host Arisa Cox, retrospectives on past seasons, and the biggest look-ahead with the official reveal of the show’s Season 8 theme."[5][6]
Grand Prize[]
Similar to seasons past, the winning prize for the season is $100,000 as well as additional prizes provided by sponsors. Summer Fresh will once again contribute "$10,000 worth of groceries". The houseguests will also receive an "unforgettable dream vacation for two anywhere in the world from Expedia".[12]
This will be the first time in the show's history that a furniture brand will not be offering a home makeover as part of the grand prize. Previously, The Brick offered the prize in the first six seasons while parent company Leon’s replaced them for season 7.
Sponsors[]
On February 25, 2020, Corus Entertainment announced the new and returning sponsors to the show.[12]
The following will have sponsors in the game:
Returning for a third consecutive year with the show, Wendy’s® heats up the house with a new special power. The coveted and satisfying “Drive Thru” pantry is also back with fan-favourite items including fresh never frozen 100% Canadian beef hamburgers, Spicy Chicken Sandwiches, Frostys®, salads, and more. Additional integrations allow fans to join the action on social media for tons of giveaways, surprises, and more!
New this season, Expedia joins the Big Brother Canada family as a grand prize contributor with a dream vacation for two. In addition to participating in a custom challenge, houseguests can enjoy hanging out in a new room – a departure lounge fit for take-off.
Additional returning sponsors include OLG, putting houseguests’ skills to the test during a first-of-its-kind lottery-themed challenge takeover week.
Then thanks to SkipTheDishes, over the course of the season Big Brother Canada viewers will have the chance to vote on treating an otherwise unlucky have-not with a special delivery.
And new sponsor KD also stocks the #BBCAN house, in addition to serving up a custom cheesy challenge.
Fueling the houseguests again this season, pantry favourite Summer Fresh returns, awarding the Season 8 winner with $10,000 worth of groceries while the entire house enjoys scrumptious dips, snacks, and salads all season long.
Looking and feeling your best is an essential part of the houseguest journey! Coming to houseguests’ aid with their DESIGNLINE haircare and styling products is new sponsor First Choice Haircutters.
Returning sponsor Skechers® outfitting the weekly HOH winner with the hottest footwear styles for the entire season
Twists[]
"Save Your Superhero": Starting the day the cast was revealed, the public voted to grant houseguests safety from the first eviction. The houseguests with the fewest amount of votes will be in immediate danger.[13]
Hit The Road Competition: During the premiere, it was revealed that the four houseguests who received the lowest amount of votes would be in danger, with the other twelve automatically safe. There was no HoH or PoV this week, instead the bottom four would compete in two Hit The Road competitions. The winner of the first competition would be safe, leaving three to compete in the next one. The winner of the second competition was also safe, with the remaining two automatically being nominated for eviction, where the regular voting scenario will take place.
Five Player Power of Veto: Returning from Big Brother Canada 7, the Head of Household will not be eligible to participate in the Power of Veto competition. Only the two nominees and three houseguests chosen by random draw will participate. The Head of Household will then be eligible to play once there are only five houseguests left in the house.
Wendy's Power Up Necklace: In Week 4, HoH Sheldon Jean was given the Wendy's Power Up Necklace, a sponsored twist hidden in the HoH Room. He was given the option between two powers: Chop a Vote, where he could cancel one houseguest's vote at the eviction, or Spice up the Veto Competition, where he could grant himself the ability to play in that week's PoV Competition, even as HoH. The power would remain a secret until the time to announce his choice, either at the PoV Competition or the eviction. He was given 24 hours to decide, and chose to Chop a Vote, but due to the season's cancellation the eviction never happened.
S - In Weeks 2 & 4, Vanessa & John Luke were voted by the viewers to "Skip the Slop" and to not be a Have-Not for the rest of week.
* - During Week 3, production decided to end Have-Nots early after informing the houseguests of the 2019-2020 COVID-19 Pandemic, determining that lack of food and sleep was not in their best interest after hearing such stressful news.
Some houseguests were called to leave in groups or pairs (Rianne, Maddie & John Luke, Chris & Susanne and Brooke & Sheldon). Although John Luke's name was called last, he left first out of the three. Also, Brooke and Sheldon's names weren't called, production simply said "Hey guys, it's time for you to go".
