How long has the Big Brother show been on TV? ?

[Llortamai]

I hear that George Orwell mentioned this programme in 1984 so it has been going for some time.

[Thorn]

he didnt mention the program, its a theory that we're all being watched, the shows only been on since 1999 somewhere in europe (netherlands or somewhere :S) and since 2000 in the UK

[Laura ?]

Isn 't that the one with Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie going to farms and stuff?

[Blonddude Gone Dark]

in UK, 9 years

[.ROXY.sheila from oz.]

and to add to the confusion , big brother was watching US !!!

[Alaska Boi]

In the UK it is about 9 years

[Charity Jay]

about 10 years too long, the idiot who thought up the idea should be tarred and feathered for his crimes against humanity

[Rick]

Quite a long time actually... ever since C-SPAN started.

[Calandra]

The first UK Big Brother was in 1999 so its been going for nine years.
The concept originated in the Netherlands.
What George Orwell was talking about was a "Big Brother" society where everyone knows everyone else's business. He wasn't talking about the Big Brother tv show as it hadn't been invented then.

[rab]

as the first guy said give it up