Big Brother: CBS Introduces Summer 2012 Cast

CBS has revealed the participants for the upcoming 14th season of their venerable reality series, Big Brother. The show debuts on Thursday, July 12th.

This time around, the housemates will include the brother of Survivor’s Russell Hantz, a model, and four top players from previous seasons. The latter will be revealed during the season premiere.

Here’s a press release with additional information:

CBS INTRODUCES THE 12 NEW HOUSEGUESTS COMPETING IN THE “BIG BROTHER” HOUSE THIS SUMMER

In a Series First, Four of the Most Successful Players of All-Time Return to BIG BROTHER, Playing the Game with Their Own Agenda and For Their Own Prize

Find Out Which Former Houseguests Are Returning During the Season Premiere on Thursday, July 12

BIG BROTHER welcomes 12 new Houseguests for the 14th installment of the CBS reality series which premieres Thursday, July 12 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Julie Chen is the host.

In a series first, four of the most successful players to ever enter the BIG BROTHER house, will return to play their own game and for their own separate prize. The identities of the four returning players and details surrounding their mission inside the house will be revealed during the season premiere.

Below are this season’s 12 new Houseguests, who will spend the summer competing for the $500,000 grand prize:

Jenn Arroyo, 37
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Current City: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Musician / Former Bass Player for the Female Metal Group “Kittie”

Joe Arvin, 41
Hometown: Lexington, Ky.
Current City: Schererville, Ind.
Chef

Frank Eudy, 28
Hometown: Marion, Ark.
Current City: Naples, Fla.
Unemployed

Jodi Rollins, 42
Hometown: Englewood, Colo.
Current City: Calipatria, Calif.
Restaurant Server

Willie Hantz, 34
Hometown: Vinton, La.
Current City: Dayton, Texas
Tankerman

Wil Heuser, 24
Hometown: Louisville, Ky.
Current City: Louisville, Ky.
Marketing Consultant

Ashley Iocco, 26
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa.
Current City: West Hollywood, Calif.
Owner of a Mobile Spray Tanning Company

Shane Meaney, 26
Hometown: Bennington, Vt.
Current City: Bennington, Vt.
House Flipper

Kara Monaco, 29
Hometown: Orlando, Fla.
Current City: Los Angeles, Calif.
Model

Danielle Murphree, 23
Hometown: Grant, Ala.
Current City: Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Nurse

JoJo Spatafora, 26
Hometown: Staten Island, N.Y.
Current City: Staten Island, N.Y.
Bartender

Ian Terry, 21
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa.
Current City: New Orleans, La.
Engineering Student

This season, the Houseguests will enjoy bright colors in the BIG BROTHER house which is styled in urban pop culture décor. The contemporary living room features three-dimensional, white “wave wall” covers, which are accented with rainbow-colored, custom designed wall paper and a 12-foot tall abstract sculpture composed of steel, plexiglass and light. The kitchen’s white, open cabinets showcase pops of bright colors inside. The Houseguests will have an opportunity to slumber in the Kicks Bedroom, featuring a wall of sneakers; the Sonic Flow Room, which is decorated with various headphones, a boom box and headphone shaped beds; or relax in the bird themed bedroom. Other highlights from this season’s BIG BROTHER house include the Arcade Room; a Zen garden-inspired backyard; an “every city” skyline along the upstairs wall; and an oversized chess game.

Following the premiere on Thursday, July 12 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT), BIG BROTHER will be broadcast three nights weekly, beginning Sunday, July 15 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT), Wednesday, July 18 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) and the LIVE eviction show, hosted by Julie Chen, beginning Thursday, July 19 (9:00-10:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT).

BIG BROTHER follows a group of people living together in a house outfitted with 53 cameras and 98 microphones recording their every move, 24 hours a day. Each week, the Houseguests will vote someone out of the house. At the end, the last remaining House Guest will receive the grand prize of $500,000.

BIG BROTHER is executive produced by Emmy Award-winning producer Allison Grodner and Rich Meehan for Fly on the Wall Entertainment, in association with Endemol U.S.A.

On the Web: http://www.cbs.com/shows/big_brother/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/BigBrother

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cbsbigbrother

Host on Twitter: @JulieChen

What do you think? Does this sound like an interesting cast? Will you be watching season 14?