CBS Announces Big Brother 8 Cast

CBS announced today the identities of the 14 Houseguests who will compete in BIG BROTHER 8, as well as the new creative twist that will play out during the summer broadcasts.

As always, BIG BROTHER Houseguests should expect the unexpected. This season's twist will shock and most likely change the way some houseguests would have played the game had certain people not walked through the door.

On premiere night, Thursday, July 5 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT), Houseguests will learn that some of them will be sharing the house with an enemy, a rival or someone with whom they have unfinished business -- in short, someone from their past who they had hoped never to see again or someone with whom there is an extreme amount of tension.

In addition to the surprise twist of an unwelcome person from their past, the premiere episode will reveal a new interactive element that will give viewers the most control they've ever had over someone in the BIG BROTHER house. For the first time… America is in the house.

One participant has been selected to be " America 's Player." At the conclusion of every episode, beginning Sunday, July 8 (8:00-9:00 ET/PT), a question will be asked of viewers where they will vote on an important assignment that " America 's Player" must complete. It could be a strategic move or a personal action. They must attempt to do what viewers request, including voting out a specific Houseguest. And, they can never tell anyone in the house that they are working on behalf of the viewers. But, they need to be careful…just like their fellow Houseguests, they can be voted out at any time. If " America 's Player" successfully accomplishes these assignments, they will be financially rewarded. Viewers will be able to vote on cbs.com or via text messaging on a mobile phone and will choose from multiple choice answers on each question. The prevailing vote must be completed by " America 's Player" in order for him or her to be rewarded.

BIG BROTHER follows a group of people living together in a house outfitted with dozens of cameras and microphones recording their every move 24 hours a day. One by one, the Houseguests will vote each other out of the house. At the end of three months, the last remaining Houseguest will receive the grand prize of $500,000.

BIG BROTHER 8 debuts Thursday, July 5 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Following the premiere, BIG BROTHER 8 will be broadcast three nights weekly, on Sundays (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT), Tuesdays (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) and the live eviction show, hosted by Julie Chen, on Thursdays (8:00-9:00 PM live ET/delayed PT).

Following are the 14 Houseguests, listed in alphabetical order, who will compete in BIG BROTHER 8:

AMBER, 27
Las Vegas
Separated
Cocktail Waitress

CAROL, 21
Lawrence, Kan.
Single
Student

DANIELE, 20
Huntington Beach, Calif.
Single
Waitress

DICK, 44
Los Angeles
Single
Bar Manager

DUSTIN, 22
Chicago
Single
Shoe Salesman

ERIC, 27
New York
Single
Talent Management Assistant

JAMEKA, 28
Waldorf, Md.
Single
School Counselor

JEN, 23
Beverly Hills, Calif.
Single
Nanny

JESSICA, 21
Haysville, Kan.
Single
College Student

JOE, 23
Chicago
Single
Receptionist

KAIL, 37 (Female)
McKenzie Bridge, Ore.
Married
Business Owner

MIKE, 26
Three Lakes, Wis.
Single
Painting Contractor

NICK, 25
Kimball, Minn.
Single
Former Pro Football Player

ZACH, 30
Burbank, Calif.
Single
Graphic Designer

BIG BROTHER 8 is executive produced by Emmy Award winner Allison Grodner and Rich Meehan, in association with Endemol U.S.A.

For more information on BIG BROTHER 8 and the 14 new Houseguests, log on to www.CBS.com.

Also, follow the show ALL series long on our sister site for Reality TV - www.RealityCheckByGina.com!