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Behind the Mirror: Inside the World of Big Brother
A look inside the TV show that watches you back
In a house designed for manipulation, paranoia, and power plays, sixteen strangers are cut off from the outside world—watched every second by cameras, judged by millions.
Welcome to Big Brother. A show ahead of its time, it was once dismissed as fluff television. Now this voyeuristic reality show has quietly become a cultural juggernaut, capturing the rawest truths of human behavior while building an intense, obsessive fanbase along the way.
But what are the costs of turning human lives into entertainment? What kind of psychological toll does it take to be put in isolation, under constant surveillance, in a perpetual state of suspicion? And what does it say about us as a society that we love to watch it unfold?
Behind the Mirror: Inside the World of Big Brother peels back the layers of the historic franchise and dives deep into the game that never sleeps. Through years of live footage, online discourse, and controversial castings, this eye-opening book unpacks how Big Brother has shaped and exposed societal dynamics around race, gender, identity, power, and surveillance. It's the story of a show that thrives in chaos and reveals a reflection of us all—ambitious, flawed, strategic, and deeply human. Whether you're a diehard fan or an unimpressed skeptic, Behind the Mirror will challenge what you thought you knew about reality TV.
Because if you think Big Brother is just a game, you haven't been paying attention.
In a house designed for manipulation, paranoia, and power plays, sixteen strangers are cut off from the outside world—watched every second by cameras, judged by millions.
Welcome to Big Brother. A show ahead of its time, it was once dismissed as fluff television. Now this voyeuristic reality show has quietly become a cultural juggernaut, capturing the rawest truths of human behavior while building an intense, obsessive fanbase along the way.
But what are the costs of turning human lives into entertainment? What kind of psychological toll does it take to be put in isolation, under constant surveillance, in a perpetual state of suspicion? And what does it say about us as a society that we love to watch it unfold?
Behind the Mirror: Inside the World of Big Brother peels back the layers of the historic franchise and dives deep into the game that never sleeps. Through years of live footage, online discourse, and controversial castings, this eye-opening book unpacks how Big Brother has shaped and exposed societal dynamics around race, gender, identity, power, and surveillance. It's the story of a show that thrives in chaos and reveals a reflection of us all—ambitious, flawed, strategic, and deeply human. Whether you're a diehard fan or an unimpressed skeptic, Behind the Mirror will challenge what you thought you knew about reality TV.
Because if you think Big Brother is just a game, you haven't been paying attention.
- GenresNonfictionPop Culture
416 pages, Hardcover
Published November 25, 2025
209 people are currently reading
4362 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
October 3, 2025
As a self proclaimed Big Brother junkie, this was right up my alley. Every season I have the live feeds on as background noise in my house. Yes, I’m that person!
It starts off with a bit of backstory of how the show was created along with its failures(yes I’m looking at you, season one) and successes along the way. It was interesting to see how it evolved from a show in the Netherlands to what we have in the US today and all of the issues it had trying to find its footing. Armstrong gives a great in depth, analytical view into some of the strategies that were utilized in each season. He specifically focuses on key players throughout certain seasons starting with Dr. Will and ending with Taylor Hale. I would consider this book more of a deep dive into the actual gameplay of the show versus a behind-the-scenes look into the show. I think it’s definitely a must read for any Big Brother fan.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
It starts off with a bit of backstory of how the show was created along with its failures(yes I’m looking at you, season one) and successes along the way. It was interesting to see how it evolved from a show in the Netherlands to what we have in the US today and all of the issues it had trying to find its footing. Armstrong gives a great in depth, analytical view into some of the strategies that were utilized in each season. He specifically focuses on key players throughout certain seasons starting with Dr. Will and ending with Taylor Hale. I would consider this book more of a deep dive into the actual gameplay of the show versus a behind-the-scenes look into the show. I think it’s definitely a must read for any Big Brother fan.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2025
Thank you to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
5 stars!!!
I will start this review by saying that I have been watching Big Brother since Dr. Will in Season 2, and have become what we in the community call a "superfan" since Season 13. I'm a regular viewer of Taran's Live Feed Updates and watch RHAP podcasts all the time. When I first saw Taran announce that he wrote a book about Big Brother my first reaction was extreme excitement for him because after watching just one Live Feed Update of his I think you will quickly understand how great of a storyteller he is. But my next thought was "well, what could he say in here that I haven't heard him talk about before?" The answer was a lot!
The history behind the development of the show was one of the most intriguing parts to me, because I didn't know most of it. It seems like this show kind of fell from the sky along with all the others, such as Survivor and The Challenge. He does a great job of explaining the big players involved and how unique this concept was at the time that it was originally developed.
He uses the show to reflect on where society was at that time in a fascinating way. Early 2000's were a lot different than where we are now, and it's evident in how serious topics were handled by production and the audience. My favorite quote about Season 2 : "Nothing screams early 2000's television more than solving homophobia through the power of friendship".
When he walks through the different season piece by piece, it is so nostalgic for me. I remember where I was in life when certain events happened, and how big of a deal they felt to me. As I mentioned before, Taran is a wonderful storyteller, and he was able to bring out all the important context needed for the reader to understand how big of a deal some of these things were. I love that he included little snippets of his own life, and how the show helped mold his childhood, as it did mine.
The Taylor Hale chapter was an absolute masterpiece. Reading her speech again brought me back to tears all over again. He brought me back to that moment of absolute joy that the entire fandom experienced together. I will never forget how that moment made me feel.
If you are superfan like me, then you probably know Taran wrote a book by now and you should definitely read it. But I think this book is also for those who watch casually, haven't watched in a long time, or haven't watched it at all. While it was nostalgic for me personally in some parts, it has a lot of valuable observations about our society that would be interesting to someone who knows nothing about the show. Maybe it could even convince someone who watched the show once, saw the weird costumes and goofy editing and turned it off to give it another chance.
I was hooked from the very beginning, and literally stopped the book I was reading mid page to start this one. Big Brother and reading are two of my favorite things in life, so the fact that this exists makes me so happy. I can't imagine anyone else writing it and I'm glad he did.
5 stars!!!
I will start this review by saying that I have been watching Big Brother since Dr. Will in Season 2, and have become what we in the community call a "superfan" since Season 13. I'm a regular viewer of Taran's Live Feed Updates and watch RHAP podcasts all the time. When I first saw Taran announce that he wrote a book about Big Brother my first reaction was extreme excitement for him because after watching just one Live Feed Update of his I think you will quickly understand how great of a storyteller he is. But my next thought was "well, what could he say in here that I haven't heard him talk about before?" The answer was a lot!
The history behind the development of the show was one of the most intriguing parts to me, because I didn't know most of it. It seems like this show kind of fell from the sky along with all the others, such as Survivor and The Challenge. He does a great job of explaining the big players involved and how unique this concept was at the time that it was originally developed.
He uses the show to reflect on where society was at that time in a fascinating way. Early 2000's were a lot different than where we are now, and it's evident in how serious topics were handled by production and the audience. My favorite quote about Season 2 : "Nothing screams early 2000's television more than solving homophobia through the power of friendship".
When he walks through the different season piece by piece, it is so nostalgic for me. I remember where I was in life when certain events happened, and how big of a deal they felt to me. As I mentioned before, Taran is a wonderful storyteller, and he was able to bring out all the important context needed for the reader to understand how big of a deal some of these things were. I love that he included little snippets of his own life, and how the show helped mold his childhood, as it did mine.
The Taylor Hale chapter was an absolute masterpiece. Reading her speech again brought me back to tears all over again. He brought me back to that moment of absolute joy that the entire fandom experienced together. I will never forget how that moment made me feel.
If you are superfan like me, then you probably know Taran wrote a book by now and you should definitely read it. But I think this book is also for those who watch casually, haven't watched in a long time, or haven't watched it at all. While it was nostalgic for me personally in some parts, it has a lot of valuable observations about our society that would be interesting to someone who knows nothing about the show. Maybe it could even convince someone who watched the show once, saw the weird costumes and goofy editing and turned it off to give it another chance.
I was hooked from the very beginning, and literally stopped the book I was reading mid page to start this one. Big Brother and reading are two of my favorite things in life, so the fact that this exists makes me so happy. I can't imagine anyone else writing it and I'm glad he did.
November 19, 2025
thank you LibroFM for the ALC 🙌
as a Big Brother superfan who grew up watching the show every summer with my dad, I couldn’t resist listening to this and overall I had a great time. I loved going down memory lane and revisting some of the most iconic players and moments from the game.
I also appreciated the behind-the-scenes looks into casting and production choices but wish there had been more. the title is only slightly misleading as this mostly functions as an oral history / gameplay strategy analysis of BB US seasons 1 - 24 more than anything else. (international versions of BB are only briefly mentioned.)
this is a fun read if you are either familiar with Big Brother or are an intense feed-watching superfan, but I wouldn’t recommend it to someone who is new to the show.
I will say the organization confused me at times as we jumped back and forth discussing players from different seasons. I think the book could have flowed better if everything was discussed chronologically from season 1 onward.
I also have no investment in the author’s personal BB memories, his podcast, or Rob from Survivor ... so the personal stories took me out of the narrative a bit. while they certainly explain why Taran was the perfect person to write this book (and he did a fantastic job doing so), it didn’t add anything beneficial to my reading experience. I think it could have been condensed into one opening or closing chapter.
as a Big Brother superfan who grew up watching the show every summer with my dad, I couldn’t resist listening to this and overall I had a great time. I loved going down memory lane and revisting some of the most iconic players and moments from the game.
I also appreciated the behind-the-scenes looks into casting and production choices but wish there had been more. the title is only slightly misleading as this mostly functions as an oral history / gameplay strategy analysis of BB US seasons 1 - 24 more than anything else. (international versions of BB are only briefly mentioned.)
this is a fun read if you are either familiar with Big Brother or are an intense feed-watching superfan, but I wouldn’t recommend it to someone who is new to the show.
I will say the organization confused me at times as we jumped back and forth discussing players from different seasons. I think the book could have flowed better if everything was discussed chronologically from season 1 onward.
I also have no investment in the author’s personal BB memories, his podcast, or Rob from Survivor ... so the personal stories took me out of the narrative a bit. while they certainly explain why Taran was the perfect person to write this book (and he did a fantastic job doing so), it didn’t add anything beneficial to my reading experience. I think it could have been condensed into one opening or closing chapter.
November 19, 2025
Five exciting stars for this masterpiece! As a Big Brother super fan, I couldn't get enough. This book made me feel nostalgic, amazed, and validated. I enjoyed the in-depth look into my heroes of a game I have loved since its inception. I was also gripped as I learned about the birth of Big Brother and the sociology behind the television show I cherish. I loved getting a peek into Taran’s childhood and its connection to Big Brother. Taran’s narration added intensity and emotion to this informative glimpse into the world of Big Brother. Big Brother takes over my life every summer as I become addicted to the live feeds and the game's dynamics. This book made me feel that I am not alone with my fascination. Taran’s daily updates help to keep me informed during my yearly look behind the mirror of my favorite obsession. Thank you to the author, Tantor Media and NetGalley for my audiobook.
July 27, 2025
I'm a Big Brother fan, but it's more accurate to say I'm a fan of RHAP, and for a few summers now Taran Armstrong has been the soundtrack to my lunch breaks with his live feed updates. Always fair, nerdy, and while keeping it light, Armstrong strategically analyzes BB's live feeds. It makes sense that podcasting translates well to writing and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to see a more wide-lens view of the show. He went over the ways the game has changed from the Shapiro to Grodner eras, and how BB is like a mirror, which includes how it can reflect societal prejudices. I liked seeing the slant of personal narrative to this and why BB means so much to each of us who obsesses over the live feeds for the summer. Thanks so much to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the e-ARC.
August 29, 2025
The definitive book on Big Brother.
Taran captures the good, the bad, and the insane of this show.
If you’ve ever scrolled Twitter, watched a live feed update, or even if you’re just trying to explain to your family why you love this show that’s twice as strategic as Survivor and half as serious, this is the book.
Taran runs through a history of the US version of the show without skipping over the controversy, the evolution, and also the sociological study of Bjg Brother watching you.
As I read the pages I experienced real nostalgia for Dan’s season 10 rise, Steve cutting Vanessa, and watching Taylor go up to the HOH in BB24 to finalize The Leftovers.
Taran doesn’t talk about himself too much in his podcasts, but in this book he does - I don’t think anyone watches Big Brother without wondering how they would do or how they’d respond to a crazy situation - and through reflecting on his time growing up with Big Brother in the background Taran’s love for the show comes through.
Must read for any competitive reality TV fan or anyone who has always wanted to understand why that person in their life loves Big Brother.
Taran captures the good, the bad, and the insane of this show.
If you’ve ever scrolled Twitter, watched a live feed update, or even if you’re just trying to explain to your family why you love this show that’s twice as strategic as Survivor and half as serious, this is the book.
Taran runs through a history of the US version of the show without skipping over the controversy, the evolution, and also the sociological study of Bjg Brother watching you.
As I read the pages I experienced real nostalgia for Dan’s season 10 rise, Steve cutting Vanessa, and watching Taylor go up to the HOH in BB24 to finalize The Leftovers.
Taran doesn’t talk about himself too much in his podcasts, but in this book he does - I don’t think anyone watches Big Brother without wondering how they would do or how they’d respond to a crazy situation - and through reflecting on his time growing up with Big Brother in the background Taran’s love for the show comes through.
Must read for any competitive reality TV fan or anyone who has always wanted to understand why that person in their life loves Big Brother.
July 28, 2025
This rocked and I’m SO glad there are people who think and feel as deeply about this show as I do.
Disclaimer: I’m a huge fan of Big Brother and regularly watch Taran’s coverage each season, so I knew I would like this from the jump. Still, it was so much more than I expected it to be. It’s part history and part memoir, and it combines objective and personal accounts of the show in a really compelling way.
Taran does a great job at explaining the game mechanisms, but I do think someone who hasn’t seen the show would have trouble following various parts. So if you haven’t seen Big Brother and are interested in reading this, I WOULD recommend that you watch a season (specifically season 10) before this comes out <3
Disclaimer: I’m a huge fan of Big Brother and regularly watch Taran’s coverage each season, so I knew I would like this from the jump. Still, it was so much more than I expected it to be. It’s part history and part memoir, and it combines objective and personal accounts of the show in a really compelling way.
Taran does a great job at explaining the game mechanisms, but I do think someone who hasn’t seen the show would have trouble following various parts. So if you haven’t seen Big Brother and are interested in reading this, I WOULD recommend that you watch a season (specifically season 10) before this comes out <3
July 16, 2025
This was a very interesting read that truly delved into the world of big brother! Personally I haven’t watched big brother in a while but I used to love watching it when I was younger, I watched it almost religiously for years!
This book caught my attention when I saw the premise and captured my whole brain while reading! Absolutely loved seeing everything that went into this book and seeing the way the author described and shared stories of players!
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book caught my attention when I saw the premise and captured my whole brain while reading! Absolutely loved seeing everything that went into this book and seeing the way the author described and shared stories of players!
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 23, 2025
I’ll admit that it’s a little dull to listen to detailed deconstructions of strategies in a game show I’ve never watched – the names blur together and the “shock twists” make little impact. But that’s not to say that Behind The Mirror has nothing to offer the uninitiated: the chapters about the history and development of the show, and the discussion of it as a precursor to platforms like Twitch, are fascinating. So, it would be a great pick for American readers who have watched at least a season or two, and an okay pick for everyone else.
My full review of Behind The Mirror is up now on Keeping Up With The Penguins.
My full review of Behind The Mirror is up now on Keeping Up With The Penguins.
October 31, 2025
4.5/5 stars
Behind The Mirror: Inside The World Of Big Brother is a fascinating look at the US Big Brother show.
I am a Big Brother (BB) fan. And am a big Taran fan, watching his Live Feed Updates every day during the season.
This book focuses a lot on gameplay and strategies of some of the winners and important players throughout the years
Taran goes through so many of the past seasons focusing on key players and strategies. It brought back so many memories. His insight into the show and players makes for such an interesting read.
Also a bit of his personal life is weaved into the book. Taran’s relationship with the show throughout the years is fascinating. I enjoyed seeing Taran as a young boy watching the show. And then seeing where he was in his life during various seasons.
He goes through so many of the past seasons. I have been watching the show since season one. But I haven’t gone back to re-watch any of the seasons. So being reminded of so many key moments in the show’s history was amazing.
I really enjoyed his love for players like Kaysar. His appreciation for players like Dan and Tiffany (the Cookout). And his accurate description of what happened to Taylor. I also really enjoyed seeing how he first started at RHAP/Rob Has A Podcast and how his live feed updates became a thing.
The book also mentions important issues on Big Brother including mental health challenges, racism and the diversity initiative.
Overall this was a very good read. You can definitely read this book if you have never watched BB or if you are a casual fan. However I definitely think that if you are a superfan then reading this book is a must.
Thanks to netgalley and Sourcebooks (non-fiction) for allowing me to read this book.
Behind The Mirror: Inside The World Of Big Brother is a fascinating look at the US Big Brother show.
I am a Big Brother (BB) fan. And am a big Taran fan, watching his Live Feed Updates every day during the season.
This book focuses a lot on gameplay and strategies of some of the winners and important players throughout the years
Taran goes through so many of the past seasons focusing on key players and strategies. It brought back so many memories. His insight into the show and players makes for such an interesting read.
Also a bit of his personal life is weaved into the book. Taran’s relationship with the show throughout the years is fascinating. I enjoyed seeing Taran as a young boy watching the show. And then seeing where he was in his life during various seasons.
He goes through so many of the past seasons. I have been watching the show since season one. But I haven’t gone back to re-watch any of the seasons. So being reminded of so many key moments in the show’s history was amazing.
I really enjoyed his love for players like Kaysar. His appreciation for players like Dan and Tiffany (the Cookout). And his accurate description of what happened to Taylor. I also really enjoyed seeing how he first started at RHAP/Rob Has A Podcast and how his live feed updates became a thing.
The book also mentions important issues on Big Brother including mental health challenges, racism and the diversity initiative.
Overall this was a very good read. You can definitely read this book if you have never watched BB or if you are a casual fan. However I definitely think that if you are a superfan then reading this book is a must.
Thanks to netgalley and Sourcebooks (non-fiction) for allowing me to read this book.
July 31, 2025
In the early 2000s, reality TV was finding its footing and so Big Brother began in the U.S. Behind the Mirror follows the history of what, from the outside, might seem like just a silly game show but in reality is a microcosm of society — full of strategy, manipulation, and paranoia, yes, but also friendships, relationships, kindness, bigotry, and every other aspect of humanity you can think of. 16 people stuck in a house for months, on live camera 24/7… anything could happen. And it does.
Behind the Mirror dives deep into the history and heart of the franchise. The author contemplates how the show reflects society but also how society reflects the show. After all, there are players in later seasons who were shaped by growing up with Big Brother.
You do NOT need to be familiar with Big Brother to enjoy this book. The author explains everything you need to know and you’ll find yourself invested in these real-life characters jumping off the page.
For those who are superfans and know the show like the back of your hand, you’ll love this book too. I was impressed by how drawn in I was by a book that didn’t claim to have behind the scene secrets. Taran is just that good at telling a story and understanding people.
In case it’s not obvious already: I am a Big Brother fan but, most importantly, I am a Taran fan. I truly think Taran keeps the lights on over on the BB sound stage because his daily coverage is incredible. So I was very excited when he nonchalantly announced that he had written a book and it would be coming out this fall — and I was THRILLED to receive an advanced copy! Anyone who has watched or listened to Taran podcast about BB knows he has a way with words, and that absolutely translates to the page.
Thank you to NetGalley, Taran Armstrong, and Sourcebooks for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Behind the Mirror dives deep into the history and heart of the franchise. The author contemplates how the show reflects society but also how society reflects the show. After all, there are players in later seasons who were shaped by growing up with Big Brother.
You do NOT need to be familiar with Big Brother to enjoy this book. The author explains everything you need to know and you’ll find yourself invested in these real-life characters jumping off the page.
For those who are superfans and know the show like the back of your hand, you’ll love this book too. I was impressed by how drawn in I was by a book that didn’t claim to have behind the scene secrets. Taran is just that good at telling a story and understanding people.
In case it’s not obvious already: I am a Big Brother fan but, most importantly, I am a Taran fan. I truly think Taran keeps the lights on over on the BB sound stage because his daily coverage is incredible. So I was very excited when he nonchalantly announced that he had written a book and it would be coming out this fall — and I was THRILLED to receive an advanced copy! Anyone who has watched or listened to Taran podcast about BB knows he has a way with words, and that absolutely translates to the page.
Thank you to NetGalley, Taran Armstrong, and Sourcebooks for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
August 26, 2025
where can i buy taran stock for the stockwatch? i think he's onto something. taran, this was incredible. thank u for being my bb guru & eyes on the feeds the past few years.
• you think you know ‘big brother’? think again. a superfan & podcaster of the show, taran armstrong takes the reader on a deep dive of 25 years of ‘big brother’ history. by peeling back the layers of the show, from its origins in europe to the slime-filled competitions it’s known for today, taran makes a case for a show that truly turns human lives into entertainment that also gives us a much deeper look at the evolution of reality tv and the social commentary around race, gender, identity, power, and surveillance. written for fans of the show and those who have never seen an episode, there’s so much we can learn from a silly reality game show.
• as a more recent fan of the show, this was SO GOOD. i’ve listened to taran’s daily updates for the past 3 seasons, but understanding more of the show’s origin stories & evolution, as well as some of the iconic cast members & alliances was so useful!
• taran’s own relationship with the show also plays a big part in this book, which gave this story a human touch that made me fly thru this.
• you think you know ‘big brother’? think again. a superfan & podcaster of the show, taran armstrong takes the reader on a deep dive of 25 years of ‘big brother’ history. by peeling back the layers of the show, from its origins in europe to the slime-filled competitions it’s known for today, taran makes a case for a show that truly turns human lives into entertainment that also gives us a much deeper look at the evolution of reality tv and the social commentary around race, gender, identity, power, and surveillance. written for fans of the show and those who have never seen an episode, there’s so much we can learn from a silly reality game show.
• as a more recent fan of the show, this was SO GOOD. i’ve listened to taran’s daily updates for the past 3 seasons, but understanding more of the show’s origin stories & evolution, as well as some of the iconic cast members & alliances was so useful!
• taran’s own relationship with the show also plays a big part in this book, which gave this story a human touch that made me fly thru this.
August 20, 2025
Behind the Mirror is a fascinating look at Big Brother through the last two decades. Fans will love the behind-the-scenes details of how the show came to be, and how it runs, and they will revel in the thoughtful deep-dive into the strategy across the seasons. When I was finished I wanted to go back and binge all the seasons now that I know more of the juicy details about how they unfolded. If you are a Big Brother fan, buying this book is a no-brainer. You'll love it.
Thanks to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the early read.
Thanks to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the early read.
September 8, 2025
I have been obsessed with the CBS original reality show, Big Brother, since its inception. Actually since Season 2 because real fans agree that the first season does not count. A new book is hitting shelves in late November titled Behind the Mirror. It is a detailed look inside of the iconic television show. It dives deep into the game that never sleeps, season by season.
For those unfamiliar, Big Brother is one of the original reality series. Sixteen strangers are sequestered in a house with no contact with the outside world. No news, no phones, no technology and very limited censored correspondence. They are watched every second until evicted from the house one by one. Viewers—including myself—tune in to live 24/7 feeds and broadcast episodes that air three (3) times every week, every summer. The community is oh so serious: we podcast, take over social media timelines, have our own vocabulary, participate in fantasy leagues and obsessively check live updates. IYKYK
Behind the Mirror is the best literary source for all things Big Brother US. It is a must-read for all BB fans. Reading Armstrong's research, interviews and insight was like having a long conversation with a fellow superfan. I was nodding my head in agreement, responding aloud as if Armstrong and I were in the backyard hammock together. There were houseguests that I forgot all about (Dani and Jason starting secret alliances) while all the pertinent ones (The Cookout, Jun the queen of floaters, Dan's perfect game, Chilltown, What up, Kaysaaaaaar!) had whole chapters dedicated to their gameplay.
This book is so well done and necessary for the BB culture. You are absolutely in good company, Armstrong! It is a pleasure sharing this space with you. To my Bookhearts/BB Superfans, adding Behind the Mirror to your TBR is akin to voting with the house. Do it!
Happy Early Pub Day, Taran Armstrong! Behind the Mirror will be available Tuesday, November 25.
Side Note: BB27 jury starts tomorrow!
Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie
For those unfamiliar, Big Brother is one of the original reality series. Sixteen strangers are sequestered in a house with no contact with the outside world. No news, no phones, no technology and very limited censored correspondence. They are watched every second until evicted from the house one by one. Viewers—including myself—tune in to live 24/7 feeds and broadcast episodes that air three (3) times every week, every summer. The community is oh so serious: we podcast, take over social media timelines, have our own vocabulary, participate in fantasy leagues and obsessively check live updates. IYKYK
Behind the Mirror is the best literary source for all things Big Brother US. It is a must-read for all BB fans. Reading Armstrong's research, interviews and insight was like having a long conversation with a fellow superfan. I was nodding my head in agreement, responding aloud as if Armstrong and I were in the backyard hammock together. There were houseguests that I forgot all about (Dani and Jason starting secret alliances) while all the pertinent ones (The Cookout, Jun the queen of floaters, Dan's perfect game, Chilltown, What up, Kaysaaaaaar!) had whole chapters dedicated to their gameplay.
This book is so well done and necessary for the BB culture. You are absolutely in good company, Armstrong! It is a pleasure sharing this space with you. To my Bookhearts/BB Superfans, adding Behind the Mirror to your TBR is akin to voting with the house. Do it!
Happy Early Pub Day, Taran Armstrong! Behind the Mirror will be available Tuesday, November 25.
Side Note: BB27 jury starts tomorrow!
Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie
August 14, 2025
5/5 Stars!
Short Review: Taran does an excellent job highlighting the connections between Big Brother, our society and himself with vulnerable personal reflections that add additional depth to the analysis of the whacky yet strategic show of Big Brother.
I have been a fan of Big Brother since Season 12 and a fan of RHAP and Taran for many years. I really enjoyed the reflection and history of 24 seasons of Big Brother US. I learned a lot about the concept and formation of the show and it was very helpful to set the stage and contextualize the impact of Big Brother on its viewers and reality television.
I enjoyed recapping the memorable characters, moves and moments throughout the seasons. As I've watched all seasons (except Season 1), it was easy to follow and bring me back to those pivotal moments. I believe someone who hasn't watched these moments could still follow along, because the messages that Taran highlights are less about analyzing specific seasons and more about the heart and impact of the show, and tracking the strategic evolution over time.
Taran brings his own personal connections and experiences into his writing that is easy to connect and empathize with. The heart and vulnerability make this book unique and shows his passion for the show, while reminding me of my connections to Big Brother, throughout high and low moments of my own life. Taran also brings the emotion of the show to light many times, especially during the Taylor Hale chapter where I teared up remembering her grace and resilience.
Taran cites a dearth of sources, including first hand accounts and interviews, to support his claims and give the reader confidence of his knowledge and accuracy. I enjoyed the exploration of the claim that Big Brother is a reflection of us and vice versa, I believe he supported his discussion of these points well.
Overall this was a fun and surprisingly emotional discussion of Big Brother US that I would recommend to strategic reality show fans.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC!
Short Review: Taran does an excellent job highlighting the connections between Big Brother, our society and himself with vulnerable personal reflections that add additional depth to the analysis of the whacky yet strategic show of Big Brother.
I have been a fan of Big Brother since Season 12 and a fan of RHAP and Taran for many years. I really enjoyed the reflection and history of 24 seasons of Big Brother US. I learned a lot about the concept and formation of the show and it was very helpful to set the stage and contextualize the impact of Big Brother on its viewers and reality television.
I enjoyed recapping the memorable characters, moves and moments throughout the seasons. As I've watched all seasons (except Season 1), it was easy to follow and bring me back to those pivotal moments. I believe someone who hasn't watched these moments could still follow along, because the messages that Taran highlights are less about analyzing specific seasons and more about the heart and impact of the show, and tracking the strategic evolution over time.
Taran brings his own personal connections and experiences into his writing that is easy to connect and empathize with. The heart and vulnerability make this book unique and shows his passion for the show, while reminding me of my connections to Big Brother, throughout high and low moments of my own life. Taran also brings the emotion of the show to light many times, especially during the Taylor Hale chapter where I teared up remembering her grace and resilience.
Taran cites a dearth of sources, including first hand accounts and interviews, to support his claims and give the reader confidence of his knowledge and accuracy. I enjoyed the exploration of the claim that Big Brother is a reflection of us and vice versa, I believe he supported his discussion of these points well.
Overall this was a fun and surprisingly emotional discussion of Big Brother US that I would recommend to strategic reality show fans.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC!
November 25, 2025
For the sake of full transparency, I should begin by saying that I’ve been listening to Taran on RHAP since he started on the network over 10 years ago. His Big Brother commentary and Twitch streams have been a constant presence in my life for the past decade, so obviously I already had a strong bias when starting the book. And I’m incredibly grateful to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review it in advance of its publication date.
In Behind the Mirror, Taran Armstrong takes the reader through the entire history of the TV show Big Brother– from its inspiration and international impetus all the way up through modern seasons of the US show. For those who aren’t familiar, Taran is a podcaster who’s considered the foremost Big Brother expert by many. His knowledge of the US show in particular runs deep, and I imagine that writing this book only deepened it. I can’t imagine a better person to literally write the book on Big Brother.
There are three really special things about this book that I want to highlight. First, Taran’s authorial voice is so strong. There are a lot of readers who don’t pick up much non-fiction due to its perception as being dry and boring. Behind the Mirror is neither of those things. Taran’s bread and butter is his live feed updates– taking a whole day of events in the Big Brother house and crafting a narrative out of them. Telling the facts in an interesting, engaging way– telling the story of the day. And that’s exactly what he’s done here– he’s not just telling you the facts, he’s telling the STORY of Big Brother. His narrative perfectly captures the strong emotions I’ve felt while watching the show– excitement, compassion, rage– and made me feel them all over again. I’ve never cried while reading a non-fiction book, but I absolutely did here– and that is a testament to Taran’s ability to tell an engaging, emotional story.
Second, I really loved the way he chose to structure the book. Big Brother is not just the US show, although that is central to the book. Big Brother began internationally. Moments from Big Brother have transcended the show itself. And most importantly, life and culture outside of Big Brother seeps into Big Brother by the players chosen to play the game. It’s an incredibly difficult task to try to wrangle all of those pieces together in a way that makes sense. Taran very strategically chose when and how to address outside-of-show elements and was able to tie them back into the main narrative of the show incredibly seamlessly. It gave the book a clear flow, and I thought it was brilliantly done.
Third, and perhaps most important– Taran continues to celebrate Big Brother when deserved, and hold their feet to the fire when necessary. Taran has always been very good at criticizing Big Brother when they need to be criticized, and he does a spectacular job of that here. He does not shy away from discussing the uglier sides of Big Brother. The season where the racism in the house got so bad that the show was finally forced to acknowledge it after years of suppressing it. The mental, emotional, and traumatic toll the show and its fans can take on contestants. The years and years of cast imbalances and systemic racism and the triumph of The Cookout. Taran confronts these head-on, just as he always has on the podcasts. He calls out the show, insists that they do better. He stands ten toes down, no excuses, and I found that to be incredibly impactful.
Overall, I hardly need to convince RHAP listeners or Taran listeners to give this book a read. But I would also highly recommend this to casual Big Brother fans and those interested in reality TV and pop culture in general. I also read Disney High (behind the scenes of the Disney Channel) and Cue the Sun (the entire history of reality TV) this year and thoroughly enjoyed both, but Behind the Mirror was my favorite above both of those for how engaged I was the entire way through and for Taran’s really brilliant storytelling.
In Behind the Mirror, Taran Armstrong takes the reader through the entire history of the TV show Big Brother– from its inspiration and international impetus all the way up through modern seasons of the US show. For those who aren’t familiar, Taran is a podcaster who’s considered the foremost Big Brother expert by many. His knowledge of the US show in particular runs deep, and I imagine that writing this book only deepened it. I can’t imagine a better person to literally write the book on Big Brother.
There are three really special things about this book that I want to highlight. First, Taran’s authorial voice is so strong. There are a lot of readers who don’t pick up much non-fiction due to its perception as being dry and boring. Behind the Mirror is neither of those things. Taran’s bread and butter is his live feed updates– taking a whole day of events in the Big Brother house and crafting a narrative out of them. Telling the facts in an interesting, engaging way– telling the story of the day. And that’s exactly what he’s done here– he’s not just telling you the facts, he’s telling the STORY of Big Brother. His narrative perfectly captures the strong emotions I’ve felt while watching the show– excitement, compassion, rage– and made me feel them all over again. I’ve never cried while reading a non-fiction book, but I absolutely did here– and that is a testament to Taran’s ability to tell an engaging, emotional story.
Second, I really loved the way he chose to structure the book. Big Brother is not just the US show, although that is central to the book. Big Brother began internationally. Moments from Big Brother have transcended the show itself. And most importantly, life and culture outside of Big Brother seeps into Big Brother by the players chosen to play the game. It’s an incredibly difficult task to try to wrangle all of those pieces together in a way that makes sense. Taran very strategically chose when and how to address outside-of-show elements and was able to tie them back into the main narrative of the show incredibly seamlessly. It gave the book a clear flow, and I thought it was brilliantly done.
Third, and perhaps most important– Taran continues to celebrate Big Brother when deserved, and hold their feet to the fire when necessary. Taran has always been very good at criticizing Big Brother when they need to be criticized, and he does a spectacular job of that here. He does not shy away from discussing the uglier sides of Big Brother. The season where the racism in the house got so bad that the show was finally forced to acknowledge it after years of suppressing it. The mental, emotional, and traumatic toll the show and its fans can take on contestants. The years and years of cast imbalances and systemic racism and the triumph of The Cookout. Taran confronts these head-on, just as he always has on the podcasts. He calls out the show, insists that they do better. He stands ten toes down, no excuses, and I found that to be incredibly impactful.
Overall, I hardly need to convince RHAP listeners or Taran listeners to give this book a read. But I would also highly recommend this to casual Big Brother fans and those interested in reality TV and pop culture in general. I also read Disney High (behind the scenes of the Disney Channel) and Cue the Sun (the entire history of reality TV) this year and thoroughly enjoyed both, but Behind the Mirror was my favorite above both of those for how engaged I was the entire way through and for Taran’s really brilliant storytelling.
September 7, 2025
I'm such a huge fan of Big Brother; I've been watching it religiously since season 17. I've since gone back and watched prior seasons and gone down multiple YouTube rabbit holes over the years about the memorable players and moments. Yes, it's a slightly embarrassing obsession that takes over my brain every summer, but it's so nice to know that I'm not alone. Taran Armstrong and his coverage every year is essential to my consumption of the show.
I don't have people in my everyday life who watch Big Brother with the same intensity as I do. Rob Has A Podcast aka RHAP really fill that void for me, and I've been watching/listening to episode recaps since the moment I started watching the show. Bless Rob Cesternino and all the podcasters on the network, they do amazing work. It wasn't until season 20 that I started consuming Taran's live feed updates every morning, and I'm so grateful I did.
It's one thing reading updates on Twitter about the live feeds, but it's an entirely different experience watching Taran act out the house chaos and explain horrible and/or amazing gameplay moves. His Vince reenactments alone this season in BB27 have been a masterclass. He's an incredible and engaging storyteller, and that talent carries over remarkably well with his writing in this book.
I don't think you necessarily need to be a Big Brother fan to appreciate this book, but I do think all Big Brother fans need to read it. Taran brings a great understanding to the creation of the show and the context in which it was made. He breaks down some really iconic and heartbreaking moments and made me look at them from a different perspective. His writing is so accessible and clever while also being funny and analytical. So basically, Taran on a typical live feed update but in book form.
Taran also dives into the reality TV genre as a whole and how it can reflect our society. Big Brother is just so unique within the genre due to the live feeds and the "24/7" surveillance of the houseguests. One passage that really stood out to me:
"...I don't see the show itself as being a representative sample of our society and culture. Instead I see it as a funhouse of mirrors, reflecting back what's in front of it while also stretching, contorting, and exaggerating where it sees fit."
Sometimes I wonder why I love a show about strangers trapped in a fake house on the CBS parking lot, but it's paragraphs like the above that make it clear how fascinating this very silly show can be.
It was also a joy taking a break from the current fury I feel at the state of BB27 production and let this book remind me of why I still love the show at its core. I can't wait to have my physical copy in November and make all of my friends and family read it.
Thank you to the publisher Sourcebooks and NetGalley for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
I don't have people in my everyday life who watch Big Brother with the same intensity as I do. Rob Has A Podcast aka RHAP really fill that void for me, and I've been watching/listening to episode recaps since the moment I started watching the show. Bless Rob Cesternino and all the podcasters on the network, they do amazing work. It wasn't until season 20 that I started consuming Taran's live feed updates every morning, and I'm so grateful I did.
It's one thing reading updates on Twitter about the live feeds, but it's an entirely different experience watching Taran act out the house chaos and explain horrible and/or amazing gameplay moves. His Vince reenactments alone this season in BB27 have been a masterclass. He's an incredible and engaging storyteller, and that talent carries over remarkably well with his writing in this book.
I don't think you necessarily need to be a Big Brother fan to appreciate this book, but I do think all Big Brother fans need to read it. Taran brings a great understanding to the creation of the show and the context in which it was made. He breaks down some really iconic and heartbreaking moments and made me look at them from a different perspective. His writing is so accessible and clever while also being funny and analytical. So basically, Taran on a typical live feed update but in book form.
Taran also dives into the reality TV genre as a whole and how it can reflect our society. Big Brother is just so unique within the genre due to the live feeds and the "24/7" surveillance of the houseguests. One passage that really stood out to me:
"...I don't see the show itself as being a representative sample of our society and culture. Instead I see it as a funhouse of mirrors, reflecting back what's in front of it while also stretching, contorting, and exaggerating where it sees fit."
Sometimes I wonder why I love a show about strangers trapped in a fake house on the CBS parking lot, but it's paragraphs like the above that make it clear how fascinating this very silly show can be.
It was also a joy taking a break from the current fury I feel at the state of BB27 production and let this book remind me of why I still love the show at its core. I can't wait to have my physical copy in November and make all of my friends and family read it.
Thank you to the publisher Sourcebooks and NetGalley for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
September 30, 2025
I don’t really like Big Brother. I’ve watched every season live since season 12. I’ve gone back and watched a few earlier seasons. To anyone who knows that, it would probably seem like I love the show. But every season I get frustrated and think about quitting forever. The main reason I don’t? Taran Armstrong. I love his live feed updates on RHAP, so as soon as I heard he’d written this book, I had to read it. It’s incredible. He’s an entertaining and insightful storyteller, weaving the history of the show, sociological insights, and personal anecdotes together to get at the heart or what makes Big Brother interesting and meaningful. Highly recommend!
Thanks to the publisher for the arc!
Thanks to the publisher for the arc!
September 5, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review an advanced digital copy.
As a Big Brother fan and an avid watcher of Taran's live feed updates, I was excited to read this book and it did not disappoint. I really enjoyed learning about the origins of Big Brother and the evolution of the game and players' strategy throughout the years. Taran does such a great job of breaking down game events and strategy, even if you've never actually seen the episode or season he is discussing. My favorite part was how he tied the game back to his own personal life and society at large. This is an interesting read whether you're a super fan who never misses an episode or someone who's never seen a minute of Big Brother play out on your screen.
As a Big Brother fan and an avid watcher of Taran's live feed updates, I was excited to read this book and it did not disappoint. I really enjoyed learning about the origins of Big Brother and the evolution of the game and players' strategy throughout the years. Taran does such a great job of breaking down game events and strategy, even if you've never actually seen the episode or season he is discussing. My favorite part was how he tied the game back to his own personal life and society at large. This is an interesting read whether you're a super fan who never misses an episode or someone who's never seen a minute of Big Brother play out on your screen.
September 3, 2025
I have an *embarassing* confession…I’m a huge Big Brother fan. Yes, I spend every summer watching a show that is full of silly jokes, ridiculous costumes, and screaming. But…hear me out…the show is about way more than that. It’s about social dynamics and game strategy. It’s layered and complicated and fascinating. I promise!
Somewhere around season 17 or so, I started listening to RHAP (Rob Has a Podcast) and discovered Taran. I thought, “This is fantastic! Someone who gets all that I see watching the live feeds.” So now I watch the show, the live feeds, and Taran’s daily updates each July through end game.
Taran’s book “Behind the Mirror: Inside the World of Big Brother” is releasing in November of 2025. I was lucky enough to receive a review copy. I tore through the pages that are packed full of a history of the show and detailed analysis of key players and strategy. It’s a must read for fans of the game. IMHO, it should also be required reading for future contestants. If you enjoy Taran’s breakdowns of game play, this book is definitely for you. It felt like a trip through memory lane for this fan who has been on board since season 1 (blech) and the true 1st season of the game in season 2.
Somewhere around season 17 or so, I started listening to RHAP (Rob Has a Podcast) and discovered Taran. I thought, “This is fantastic! Someone who gets all that I see watching the live feeds.” So now I watch the show, the live feeds, and Taran’s daily updates each July through end game.
Taran’s book “Behind the Mirror: Inside the World of Big Brother” is releasing in November of 2025. I was lucky enough to receive a review copy. I tore through the pages that are packed full of a history of the show and detailed analysis of key players and strategy. It’s a must read for fans of the game. IMHO, it should also be required reading for future contestants. If you enjoy Taran’s breakdowns of game play, this book is definitely for you. It felt like a trip through memory lane for this fan who has been on board since season 1 (blech) and the true 1st season of the game in season 2.
November 28, 2025
Absolutely obsessed with Taran and his narration made this even MORE interesting. Enjoyed the BB insigjt and also Taran’s own personal life details as well!
November 21, 2025
i love u taran
September 6, 2025
If someone is to write a book on the history of Big Brother strategy and gameplay, Taran Armstrong is our person. This book should be a must read for all future houseguests. If you don’t have the time to binge watch 25 seasons, you can find the time to read this book and catch a glimpse of what you’ve missed. I look forward to next season when that one houseguest says ‘I read Taran’s book.’
As a fan of the show, I enjoyed the trip down memory lane, reliving the classic moments we all love, or love to hate. Taran goes beyond the game moves and looks deeper at the sociology that plays out on our screens each summer, the good, the bad and the ugly, it’s all there. My favorite part were the reflections and stories from past players sprinkled in with Taran’s own experiences on how the show has shaped his life and career.
I finish this book the morning following a season 27 twist reveal that feels like it has ripped apart the true Big Brother game structure, and sorry to say it Taran, but start writing, we’re gonna need a sequel.
Thank you to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As a fan of the show, I enjoyed the trip down memory lane, reliving the classic moments we all love, or love to hate. Taran goes beyond the game moves and looks deeper at the sociology that plays out on our screens each summer, the good, the bad and the ugly, it’s all there. My favorite part were the reflections and stories from past players sprinkled in with Taran’s own experiences on how the show has shaped his life and career.
I finish this book the morning following a season 27 twist reveal that feels like it has ripped apart the true Big Brother game structure, and sorry to say it Taran, but start writing, we’re gonna need a sequel.
Thank you to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 13, 2025
I told myself I would take notes as I read this because I knew I would have too many thoughts to keep track of, but unfortunately I did not listen to myself so here we are.
I started watching big brother two years ago, when I heard that cirie from survivor was on the season. although I didn't love the way that season went, I did discover an unfortunate truth about myself, which is that I have the exactly right kind of broken brain that becomes addicted to live feeds. as I learned that the live feeds and the edited episodes were effectively two completely different shows, the thought of going back and only watching episodes was not at all appealing to me (although I did watch season 10 for the sake of keesha's birthday and dan). any history of the show I know, I've absorbed through twitter, youtube videos, and taran's coverage, which did make me feel like a bit of a fake fan.
enter taran's book! this filled in so many of my biggest blind spots, and it impressively pulls off the task of laying out information for people who have never seen the show while not boring the people who know all the ins and outs of how the game works. the history of big brother precursors/inspirations was additionally fascinating, as I'd never heard of any of them. parasocially, it was also nice to learn a little more about taran (turns out he's not a robot but a real boy) and just in general to hear about how impactful this show could be on someone who grew up with it, since that was not my experience.
something I've always appreciated about taran's coverage is his ability to remind us of the humanity involved - it can become easy to see the cast of big brother as chess pieces on a board, or fictional characters in a drama, but his reminders of the real-life dynamics at play are always welcome and relevant. this is reflected heavily in the book, and his breakdown of how minorities in real life become disadvantaged in the game was especially effective. it may be something I already knew, but to see it spelled out like that for those who have never considered it felt really good, especially as american culture seems to be moving backwards on that front.
ultimately this was incredibly well-written, thorough, and made me feel very seen in both the struggle of wondering why I watch this show and whether it's even ethical, and being completely unable to walk away from it.
ARC provided by netgalley and sourcebooks
I started watching big brother two years ago, when I heard that cirie from survivor was on the season. although I didn't love the way that season went, I did discover an unfortunate truth about myself, which is that I have the exactly right kind of broken brain that becomes addicted to live feeds. as I learned that the live feeds and the edited episodes were effectively two completely different shows, the thought of going back and only watching episodes was not at all appealing to me (although I did watch season 10 for the sake of keesha's birthday and dan). any history of the show I know, I've absorbed through twitter, youtube videos, and taran's coverage, which did make me feel like a bit of a fake fan.
enter taran's book! this filled in so many of my biggest blind spots, and it impressively pulls off the task of laying out information for people who have never seen the show while not boring the people who know all the ins and outs of how the game works. the history of big brother precursors/inspirations was additionally fascinating, as I'd never heard of any of them. parasocially, it was also nice to learn a little more about taran (turns out he's not a robot but a real boy) and just in general to hear about how impactful this show could be on someone who grew up with it, since that was not my experience.
something I've always appreciated about taran's coverage is his ability to remind us of the humanity involved - it can become easy to see the cast of big brother as chess pieces on a board, or fictional characters in a drama, but his reminders of the real-life dynamics at play are always welcome and relevant. this is reflected heavily in the book, and his breakdown of how minorities in real life become disadvantaged in the game was especially effective. it may be something I already knew, but to see it spelled out like that for those who have never considered it felt really good, especially as american culture seems to be moving backwards on that front.
ultimately this was incredibly well-written, thorough, and made me feel very seen in both the struggle of wondering why I watch this show and whether it's even ethical, and being completely unable to walk away from it.
ARC provided by netgalley and sourcebooks
November 28, 2025
I’ve been watching Big Brother since… 2007, and I have LOVED it. My family can speak to my obsession, every summer once Big Brother starts they know I’m dedicating too much time to keeping up with what’s happening on the feeds everyday and sitting to watch the episodes 3 times a week. It is a cringy, silly, stupid, and campy show, and it’s kind of embarrassing to admit that I, not only watch it, but obsess over it.
Taran here, does such an amazing job at capturing the beauty and draw of Big Brother. He does such a good job, partially, because he is one of us (I mean, he has made it his career to discuss Big Brother) but also because he sees the game for more than just how cringy, silly, stupid, and campy it is. Taran does a beautiful job at capturing the reason Big Brother US has survived through 27 seasons, and why so many of us, despite how embarrassed we are of loving this show, continue to come back season after season.
I’ve tried and failed to get people to love this show as much as I do. (I have also succeed with a friend or two, thankfully because now I have real life buddies to watch it with and rant with when the happenings are too much). Most of the time when I say I watch Big Brother it is met with judgement, if they know what the show is, or a lack of care (and judgement) because it’s reality tv. I’ve always struggled to find the right words to capture the true beauty of Big Brother, so from here on out I am going to send a copy of this book to anyone who 1) judges me or 2) is interested in watching lol
Lastly,
I watch Taran do updates for Big Brother everyday during the summer while Big Brother is airing, and though I don’t actually know Taran, this book makes me so happy and proud of him. He’s known as a robot with all his Big Brother knowledge, but it was so nice and fun to get to know his story a like bit more through this book. Listening to the audiobook really felt like i was just listening to my friend talk about something he’s so passionate about.
Taran here, does such an amazing job at capturing the beauty and draw of Big Brother. He does such a good job, partially, because he is one of us (I mean, he has made it his career to discuss Big Brother) but also because he sees the game for more than just how cringy, silly, stupid, and campy it is. Taran does a beautiful job at capturing the reason Big Brother US has survived through 27 seasons, and why so many of us, despite how embarrassed we are of loving this show, continue to come back season after season.
I’ve tried and failed to get people to love this show as much as I do. (I have also succeed with a friend or two, thankfully because now I have real life buddies to watch it with and rant with when the happenings are too much). Most of the time when I say I watch Big Brother it is met with judgement, if they know what the show is, or a lack of care (and judgement) because it’s reality tv. I’ve always struggled to find the right words to capture the true beauty of Big Brother, so from here on out I am going to send a copy of this book to anyone who 1) judges me or 2) is interested in watching lol
Lastly,
I watch Taran do updates for Big Brother everyday during the summer while Big Brother is airing, and though I don’t actually know Taran, this book makes me so happy and proud of him. He’s known as a robot with all his Big Brother knowledge, but it was so nice and fun to get to know his story a like bit more through this book. Listening to the audiobook really felt like i was just listening to my friend talk about something he’s so passionate about.
November 20, 2025
Thank you Sourcebooks for the ALC!
Fun fact about me you might know is I love Big Brother. I don't want watch a whole lot of TV and even less if it's a reality. I don't keep up with the Kardashians or what's going on with Love Island but when it comes to the 24/7 social experiment I.AM.SAT.
But it wasn't until this year when I learned who Taran Armstrong was and the hard work he has put in over the last 10 years bringing deep dive content into the world of Big Brother. So when I saw that he was writing a book about the long running reality show I knew immediately I wanted to read it.
If you are familiar with Taran's work you know how incredibly thorough he is. Whether it's giving you a deep dive of last night's live feeds or giving you a BB history lesson he brings that same sort for care and research into his book. Side I was listening to the audiobook it was like one of his episodes of RAHP. Starting from Season 1 all the way to Season 24 Taran really hits the important beats of the show over the years and how this yearly pressure cooker experiment has evolved over time.
If you are Big Brother fan I think this is a must read/audiobook listen. I enjoyed every minute of it and there were times where I was like oh yeah I remember that, that was wild. I also think if you are a casual viewer of the show who hadn't really watched live feeds this is a great primer on why the live feeds are so important. Overall, really good and I hope Taran will continue you to do what he's doing until the day Big Brother comes to an end.
September 10, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Behind the Mirror is more than a book. It’s a lifeline for anyone who has ever loved Big Brother. Taran Armstrong pours his heart and soul into every page, capturing not just the strategy and gameplay but the humanity behind it. Reading this, I felt seen as a fan, reminded of every moment I’ve laughed, cried, cheered, and gasped along with the houseguests.
Taran doesn’t just recount history; he holds up a mirror to the community, showing us why we care so deeply about this game. He reveals the layers of loyalty, betrayal, courage, and vulnerability that make Big Brother unforgettable. Every story, every memory, every analysis is infused with a passion that hits you right in the heart.
This book is a gift to the fandom in a time when we need it most. It reconnects us to the excitement, the heartbreak, and the triumphs that have made us love this show for decades. It reminds us that Big Brother isn’t just a game. It’s a reflection of human nature, of the choices we make under pressure, of the bonds we form, and the risks we take.
Taran’s words give context to the strategies, depth to the drama, and meaning to the moments we’ve lived with week after week. For anyone who has ever stayed up late cheering for their favorites, debating every move, or feeling the sting of a blindsided eviction, this book is a reminder that we are part of something bigger . This is a community, a story, and a legacy that continues to shape us.
Behind the Mirror is more than a book. It’s a lifeline for anyone who has ever loved Big Brother. Taran Armstrong pours his heart and soul into every page, capturing not just the strategy and gameplay but the humanity behind it. Reading this, I felt seen as a fan, reminded of every moment I’ve laughed, cried, cheered, and gasped along with the houseguests.
Taran doesn’t just recount history; he holds up a mirror to the community, showing us why we care so deeply about this game. He reveals the layers of loyalty, betrayal, courage, and vulnerability that make Big Brother unforgettable. Every story, every memory, every analysis is infused with a passion that hits you right in the heart.
This book is a gift to the fandom in a time when we need it most. It reconnects us to the excitement, the heartbreak, and the triumphs that have made us love this show for decades. It reminds us that Big Brother isn’t just a game. It’s a reflection of human nature, of the choices we make under pressure, of the bonds we form, and the risks we take.
Taran’s words give context to the strategies, depth to the drama, and meaning to the moments we’ve lived with week after week. For anyone who has ever stayed up late cheering for their favorites, debating every move, or feeling the sting of a blindsided eviction, this book is a reminder that we are part of something bigger . This is a community, a story, and a legacy that continues to shape us.
October 27, 2025
As a long time RHAP listener (I go back to the days of Alex, Brent, and Taran) I was incredibly excited to read this book. Taran has become the go to source for the hardcore fans who can’t get enough Big Brother content. He has always been the voice of reason, who can skillfully dissect the strategy and social interactions within the Big Brother house, and I expected this book to deliver in that same measured way. Thankfully, this book does just that and more. Taran provides an in depth history of Big Brother, covering the show development and analysis of each season. While highlighting the memorable players and moments over the years, he also includes his own personal connection along the way. It is as comprehensive as it is entertaining.
For those new to Big Brother this book is a must read if you are at all interested in how Big Brother has become such a cult hit in the US. It will be an eye opener as to why Big Brother proper and the Big Brother live feeds really are two separate shows. You will come away ready to jump full in for BB28. For those like me…the fans who have stayed up until 3AM to catch an HoH comp live on the feeds, or those that tuned into BB After Dark; the ones who remember Cornbread’s iconic exit because you’re actually crazy enough that you watched OTT; those that analyzed YouTube videos like the Zapruder film to see if Helen was pushed; the fans that found sketchy websites to watch BBCAN and who start and end their days reading Jokers Updates; the type of fan that knows not to call themself a superfan…this book will hit in every way. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the advanced copy, and especially to the author for putting our collective memories from pen to paper.
For those new to Big Brother this book is a must read if you are at all interested in how Big Brother has become such a cult hit in the US. It will be an eye opener as to why Big Brother proper and the Big Brother live feeds really are two separate shows. You will come away ready to jump full in for BB28. For those like me…the fans who have stayed up until 3AM to catch an HoH comp live on the feeds, or those that tuned into BB After Dark; the ones who remember Cornbread’s iconic exit because you’re actually crazy enough that you watched OTT; those that analyzed YouTube videos like the Zapruder film to see if Helen was pushed; the fans that found sketchy websites to watch BBCAN and who start and end their days reading Jokers Updates; the type of fan that knows not to call themself a superfan…this book will hit in every way. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the advanced copy, and especially to the author for putting our collective memories from pen to paper.
October 8, 2025
I have been an avid fan of Survivor since season 20. I avoided Big Brother like the plague, as every time I caught a random episode, the challenges were weird and they always seemed to be yelling in the diary room. However, being a Cirie fan, I decided to try season 25, and discovered the real magic of the show wasn’t the show itself, but the feeds. I’ve been a huge fan ever since, but have only watched a few of the older seasons (primarily the Dan Gheesling ones) because what’s the point when you don’t have the live feeds to accompany them?
I say all this to explain how useful this book was to me. While I knew a little of the history, Taran filled in a lot of my missing context. I especially appreciated how much he reflected on how Big Brother is a mirror to our world. Long story short, I appreciate Big Brother even more now, even though the show continues to be totally embarrassing (if you know.. you know.) This is the perfect book for the Big Brother super fan, but also great for someone newer to the series (like me!)
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC!
I say all this to explain how useful this book was to me. While I knew a little of the history, Taran filled in a lot of my missing context. I especially appreciated how much he reflected on how Big Brother is a mirror to our world. Long story short, I appreciate Big Brother even more now, even though the show continues to be totally embarrassing (if you know.. you know.) This is the perfect book for the Big Brother super fan, but also great for someone newer to the series (like me!)
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC!
August 8, 2025
Taran was THE person to write this book!
First and foremost, thank you to NetGalley for this eARC copy of Behind the Mirror. Well written and insightful, Armstrong guides readers through the complex history of Big Brother: the reality show that has shaped and been shaped by our world for decades. From history’s highest highs and the lowest lows, from the ever changing strategy and it’s evolution as the game itself faces influences from both inside and outside the walls of the house, from the affect of our nation’s culture (and that of cultures from across the world) on the very formatting of the game we’ve come to know and love, to the absolute necessity of 24/7 surveillance in order to tell the true story. Featuring interviews from past players, mixed with his own experience growing up alongside the show and creating the blossoming career he has today, Taran captivates readers with his unique perspective on the game and gives us a peek at what it’s truly like Behind the Mirror.
First and foremost, thank you to NetGalley for this eARC copy of Behind the Mirror. Well written and insightful, Armstrong guides readers through the complex history of Big Brother: the reality show that has shaped and been shaped by our world for decades. From history’s highest highs and the lowest lows, from the ever changing strategy and it’s evolution as the game itself faces influences from both inside and outside the walls of the house, from the affect of our nation’s culture (and that of cultures from across the world) on the very formatting of the game we’ve come to know and love, to the absolute necessity of 24/7 surveillance in order to tell the true story. Featuring interviews from past players, mixed with his own experience growing up alongside the show and creating the blossoming career he has today, Taran captivates readers with his unique perspective on the game and gives us a peek at what it’s truly like Behind the Mirror.
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