10 Most Memorable Competitions on ‘Big Brother’

First on our list, “What the Bleep?” has become one of the most memorable competitions on Big Brother.

In this comp, houseguests watch clips of their fellow contestants speaking, with certain words bleeped out. They must then correctly guess the missing words to score points. The competition has often highlighted hilarious or dramatic moments from the season, testing how closely players have been paying attention to their housemates.

“What the Bleep?” is ranked in our list because not only does it most of the time determine the final three, but it is also a fan favorite comp that contestants and viewers alike look forward to each season.

“Slippery Slope” is a Big Brother endurance classic that tests contestants’ strength and balance. Players must climb an oil-covered incline to reach the top or outlast their fellow competitors.

During this competition, houseguests have to collect a product from a bucket and deliver it to the container on the other side. But, they have to struggle against the slick slip-n-slide-type surface, often sliding right back down. This blend of physical comedy and genuine athletic challenge has made it a fan favorite.

Additionally, “Slippery Slope” has produced memorable moments in BB history, including Caleb‘s dominating performance in BB16. Its unpredictably slippery nature means underdogs can sometimes outlast the physically stronger players, adding excitement to the game and earning it a place on our list of the most memorable competitions on Big Brother.

Another memorable challenge on Big Brother is “The Black Box.” Among Big Brother‘s most unnerving challenges, this challenge has even rattled the most composed contestants.

This competition throws players into a pitch-dark room, testing their nerves, speed, and problem-solving skills. Contestants navigate through a maze-like structure, often crawling through tight spaces and overcoming various obstacles to correctly place specific items.

What made this challenge particularly memorable was the reactions it elicited from houseguests. While some contestants were unfazed, others found themselves unnerved by the darkness, unexpected sensory input, and surprises lurking in the shadows.

“Bowlerina” is another one of BB’s most uniquely entertaining competitions. This challenge requires houseguests to alternate between spinning on a platform and bowling, creating a dizzying and often hilarious competition.

The genius of Bowlerina lies in its ability to turn a simple task into a monumental challenge. Contestants must complete a set number of spins with a metal bar over their heads before attempting to bowl. This comp makes even the most basic throw quite difficult. The result is a comical display of stumbling, poor aim, and occasional successes that keep both players and viewers on their toes.

What makes Bowlerina particularly memorable is its unpredictability. Athletic ability becomes less important, as the ability to overcome the sheer dizziness takes over, leading to unexpected underdog outcomes.

Next, “Spelling Search” is a competition that tests contestants’ vocabulary skills and strategic thinking under pressure. In this competition, houseguests must dive into a pool or pit filled with oversized letter tiles, searching for letters to spell the longest word possible within a set time limit.

The player who spells the longest valid word wins. Shannon Elizabeth, of Celebrity BB1, holds the record for the longest spelled word to win this challenge: Responsibilities. The challenge not only tests players’ spelling abilities but also their ablity to think quickly and adapt their strategy as they discover available letters.

“Spelling Search” has appeared in multiple seasons, including the current season BB26 (but as “Spelling Bee“), consistently delivering exciting and unpredictable results. Whether it’s a houseguest pulling out an unexpected vocabulary word or another stumbling over a simple word, this comp surely never fails to entertain, earning it a place as one of the most memorable competitions in Big Brother history.

“BB Comics” combines memory, attention to detail, and speed into one challenge, making it one of the most memorable challenges on Big Brother.

Houseguests must spot differences between comic book covers featuring their fellow contestants. They zip-line past a wall of comics as they try to memorize details. Then, they recreate the correct versions in another area. The fastest player to accurately assemble all comics wins the comp.

This competition debuted in BB16 and quickly became a fan favorite. The comic designs often playfully highlight contestants’ personalities, prominent features, or memorable moments. “BB Comics” competition’s yearly return excites fans, who anticipate the interpretations of their favorite houseguests as superheroes or villains.

“Hide and Go Veto” is perhaps one of the most chaotic and memorable Big Brother competitions in the show’s history. This strategic contest transforms the entire house into a disaster zone as contestants frantically search for hidden veto cards.

In this challenge, houseguests must hide their personal veto card somewhere in the house, then search for their opponents’ cards. The last player whose card remains unfound wins the Power of Veto.

Players have employed incredibly creative tactics over the years. In BB20, Tyler concealed his card in a pair of pants, while BB17 saw Liz empty out a frozen pizza box to store hers. These innovative hiding spots showcased the blend of cunning and comedy that makes this competition a fan favorite.

Another one of the most memorable challenges on Big Brother is “The Wall“. In this grueling competition, houseguests have to keep their place on a large, tilted wall for as long as possible. They often need to battle fatigue and discomfort while also deploying elements like water sprays or foam for hours on end.

What sets “The Wall” apart is its sheer difficulty and the raw determination it draws from contestants. As the challenge progresses, the wall tilts further, making it increasingly hard to hold on. The challenge has produced some of the show’s most dramatic moments, with underdogs occasionally outlasting physical powerhouses through sheer willpower.

Its unpredictable nature and potential for game-changing outcomes make this challenge one of the most memorable challenges in BB history.

“The Pressure Cooker” is an endurance competition that stands out as one of the most intense and grueling challenges in Big Brother history.

This challenge, first introduced in BB6, involved houseguests, each with a single button. To stay in the competition, players must keep one hand on the button at all times. The last person to maintain contact wins. The original “Pressure Cooker” in Season 6 set an incredibly high bar, lasting a total of 13 hours and 53 minutes. The season featured a standoff between Kaysar and Jennifer, which set a record in BB history.

The challenge made a dramatic return in BB25. America Lopez came close to breaking the long-standing record with an impressive 13 hours and 12 minutes before finally conceding to Cameron. BB25’s challenge lasted 13 hours and 49 minutes. This near-record-breaking performance reignited fan enthusiasm for the comp.

Last but definitely not least, on our list of the most memorable competitions on Big Brother is OTEV.

In OTEV, contestants race to retrieve objects with correct answers to a question, then present them to a large, often outlandishly designed character known as OTEV (which is “veto” spelled backwards). In each round, the slowest player is eliminated until only one remains.

What makes OTEV particularly memorable is its blend of camp and competition. The signature OTEV character changes each season. Sometimes, it takes on various absurd forms, like a Broadway Clam, a Psychedelic Salamander, or even the famous Zingbot. These characters often spew ridiculous commentary, adding humor to the intense gameplay.

OTEV’s reputation as a “curse” for its winners, who historically have failed to win the entire game, adds another layer of intrigue to this fan-favorite challenge, making it perhaps the most memorable competition on Big Brother.

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