Did "The Hunger Games" Copy "Big Brother"?

Author Suzanne Collins appears to have based the story of 'The Hunger Games' off the 6th season of Big Brother.

When Suzanne Collins was asked what inspired her to write the Hunger Games she stated, "One night, I was lying in bed, and I was channel surfing between reality TV programs and actual war coverage. On one channel, there’s a group of young people competing for I don’t even know; and on the next, there’s a group of young people fighting in an actual war. I was really tired, and the lines between these stories started to blur in a very unsettling way. That’s the moment when Katniss’s story came to me."

http://www.slj.com/2008/09/authors-illustrators/a-killer-story-an-interview-with-suzanne-collins-author-of-the-hunger-games/

Back in 2005, two years before the first novel of 'The Hunger Games' trilogy was released, CBS television aired the 6th season of 'Big Brother'. A show that isolates people from the outside world, to compete in a house, with the goal to be the last one standing for half a million dollars. These contestants are watched 24/7 online by viewers at home hence "Big Brother is always watching". The contestants live in this house for 3 months as they gain or lose power, luxuries, and even food. They vote weekly to evict each other from the house.

The Big Brother House can be compared to the Hunger Games Arena. Both are controlled by Gamemakers/Producers. The Big Brother houseguests are essentially the tributes that are also chosen from across America/Panem. Before the houseguests enter the house they are sequestered, sent to L.A., and interviewed. This is when viewers rate, watch, and read their bios. The sequence resembles the reaping, Katniss being taken to the Capitol, interviewed by Caesar Flickerman, and scored by the Gamemakers.

Every season of Big Brother has a different twist created by the producers and in this 6th season everyone came in as a pair, someone they knew from their outside lives. This is like Katniss knowing Peeta, or Cato and Glimmer.

In both cases there was the initial understanding that there will only be one winner. Later in the games/season the Gamemakers/Producers added a stipulation that if you and your partner make it to the final two you both will be victorious.

As the Big Brother season progressed America voted to give certain houseguests advantages, such as a phone call from home. This is similar to the way Katniss received gifts from sponsors. Also, those that fall into romances (also known as Showmances) on Big Brother usually become fan favorites, this as well compares to Katniss and Peeta.

There was also a heroine of Big Brother 6 named Janelle who was a competition beast. When everyone wanted her eliminated, she consistently kept proving them wrong, and won immunity. She is the Katniss Everdeen of Big Brother.

At the end of Big Brother, the evicted contestants come back as a jury to help choose the winner. Before they do, an often bitter jury questions them. Just like the dogs at the end of the Hunger Games who resemble lost tributes.

Getty Images Frederick M. Brown

The similarities continue throughout the trilogy. The following season of Big Brother is All Stars just how in Catching Fire, the 75th annual Quarter Quell, brings back returning tributes.

Essentially both Big Brother and the Hunger Games are EPIC!