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BBUSA’s Allison Grodner to take over Big Brother UK

Big Brother USA executive producer Allison Grodner is to take over the UK version of the show this summer, bbspy has learned.

The award-winning reality TV pro has agreed a deal that will see her swap places with her British counterparts ahead of the sixteenth civilian edition of BBUK.

It is thought that she is using the opportunity to test risky new ideas that she’s hoping to implement in future seasons of BBUSA – which uses a radically different format, with only one contestant (dubbed the ‘Head of Household’) getting to nominate each week.

An insider told bbspy: “Allison watched the Power Trip series last year and was thrilled that the bosses managed to get away with manipulating drama, cancelling immunity and executing a different nominations twist almost every single week.

“But she’s got some even bigger ideas on how to up the ante with the meddling, so she’s worked out a deal to come across the pond for the summer and show us how its done.

“The powers that be know that some fans have been calling for new executives recently, and their prayers are being answered – though perhaps not in the way they hoped.”

Our source also revealed that Allison is drawing up a twist that will see the new crop of housemates compete in challenges against some of BBUSA’s most popular faces – with the likes of Jessie Godderz, Aaryn Gries and Amanda Zuckerman said to be on her wishlist.

However, the UK bosses have used their Power of Veto on plans for a permanent tweak to the nominations process, as they’re unwilling to make changes that could improve the show.

“Allison was hoping that she’d be able to properly bring the HoH concept over,” added the mole. “But C5 has already paid for the furniture for the latest incarnation of the Bedsit, so they want to focus on that instead.”

As part of the arrangement, the BBUK execs will travel Stateside to assist Grodner’s right-hand man Rich Meehan on BBUSA. They are expected discuss how ditching the 24-hour live feed – a fundamental Big Brother feature – has helped them cover up details of format breaches, such as celebrity housemates getting outside contact.

Channel 5 recently announced that it has renewed the UK rights to Big Brother for three more years, guaranteeing one regular and two Celebrity series annually until the end of 2018.

bbspy