Reality TV experienced a boom in the early 2000s, and two shows were at the forefront - Survivor and Big Brother. Amazingly, both shows are still running to this day, and with both of their original hosts to boot. Both remain incredibly popular and debate will continue to rage regarding which show is "better."

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Of course, the enjoyability of each comes down entirely to personal preference, but there are both qualities and flaws of each that are hard to disagree with. The question as to which show is best is complex to answer.

Survivor: Better Host

Jeff Probst smiling for a photo in Survivor season 41

Most people would agree that Jeff Probst is a better host than Julie Chen Moonves. Even die-hard fans of Big Brother refer to Chen Moonves as "Chenbot" in reference to her boring and robotic personality. There's nothing inherently wrong with her hosting, but many people feel like she could be more lively and "involved."

The opposite of this is Jeff Probst, who is an integral part of Survivor's DNA. It's hard to imagine a future Survivor without Probst, and his excitement for the game is clearly evident in his energetic hosting.

Big Brother: The Live Feeds

An overhead view of the Level Six alliance from Big Brother with their hands together.

Perhaps the greatest and most famous aspect of Big Brother is the live feeds. These allow die-hard fans to literally watch the show in real-time, thanks to the in-house cameras capturing every square inch of the house (minus a few private areas, of course).

No other reality show does this, and it helps Big Brother stand out from the pack. Not only that, but it allows die-hard fans very intimate access to both the house and their favorite guests. People live with these characters for months, and it allows a better personal connection than any other reality show can offer.

Survivor: It Has Better Challenges

Woman jumping into water on Survivor

Even Survivor's weirdest challenges are better than anything that Big Brother can do. Unfortunately, the small area of Big Brother severely limits the scope and budget of its challenges. In nearly every way, Survivor provides a superior challenge experience.

They are far more physically demanding, often more mentally taxing, and far bigger in terms of scope. While Big Brother is doing its fifteenth "what day did this person do this" challenge of the season, Survivor is pushing its contestants to their physical limits, and it makes for far better TV.

Big Brother: The Story Is Told In Real-Time

An overhead view of The Cookout alliance from Big Brother with their hands together.

A very unique aspect of Big Brother is that its story is told in real-time, that is, as close to real-time as editing and TV scheduling allow. Survivor is filmed entirely in advance, and as such, the editors know exactly how to tell the story and how to portray its eventual winner. While this results in some iconic Survivor scenes, it can turn a little lopsided.

But Big Brother is told in real-time, and as such, the editors are just as clueless as the audience in regards to forthcoming events. The "story" of the season cannot be crafted around its eventual winner, and it makes for more unpredictable and exciting viewing.

Survivor: It's More "Serious"

Russell Hantz wearing a purple buff on Survivor Redemption Island

People like Survivor and Big Brother for different reasons and it boils entirely down to personal preference. The shows couldn't be more different in terms of structure and tone, but Survivor is a far more "serious" game. It doesn't really find time for humorous moments, let alone everyday conversations and events. It's always a game, all the time.

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Furthermore, the challenges are depicted as an "epic" battle of endurance and intelligence, and tribal council is a very serious affair. For those who shy away from reality TV for its supposed "fakery" and "shallowness," Survivor is the perfect compromise.

Big Brother: It's More "Fun"

Zingbot from Big Brother standing in the backyard.

Big Brother certainly has its serious moments, and it has featured some spectacular fights throughout its 20-year run. But for the most part, Big Brother isn't meant to be taken very seriously.

The show often depicts funny and lighthearted moments/montages, its players often joke with each other and the camera, and numerous aspects of its production (Zingbot, comics, etc.) are clearly meant to be nothing more than hokey fun. Perhaps the game itself isn't fun, but the editing is, and it makes for a more lighthearted viewing experience.

Survivor: It Has Better Production Value

The family visit in Survivor 40

There's no denying it - Big Brother can sometimes look cheap. It's shot with wall-mounted cameras, the music feels somewhat like license-free tracks the producers found on the internet, and the live challenges are often dreadful in regards to their sound design.

Survivor looks far more professional. It features gorgeous vistas, sweeping camera shots that capture the exotic beauty of its setting, and cinematic music that sounds like something from an action movie. Survivor looks like a genuine TV show, whereas Big Brother looks like something cheaply shot on a soundstage. Which it is.

Big Brother: It Has More Personal Drama

Christian and Alyssa looking at each other on Big Brother

While both shows revolve around interpersonal relationships, Survivor seems far less personal than Big Brother. When someone is voted off Survivor, they generally don't take it very personally.

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On the other hand, Big Brother is a far more personal experience. It probably comes with living inside the same small space for months on end, which allows for greater personal relationships to blossom. And when it comes time to betray friends and send them home, it makes for far more dramatic (and sometimes even touching) viewing.

Survivor: It's A More Exciting Concept

Various contestants competing in a challenge on Survivor

By its very nature, Survivor is the more exciting show. Big Brother consists of people sitting inside a comfortable house all day while eating delicious food and joking with their friends.

Survivor sees people stranded on a hot, exotic island for over a month, eating little more than rice and beans, getting filthy, and risking their very health and safety for one million dollars. It has led to some crazy medical evacuations, and watching people wither away from starvation will never not be fascinating TV.

Big Brother: It's A More Complex Game

The cast of Big Brother 23 sitting on a couch

While Survivor has an exciting concept, its core gameplay is actually very simple. Ignoring all twists, Survivor simply boils down to making alliances, winning immunity, and voting someone off. Big Brother is a far more twisty and complex experience.

The entire concept of nominations and vetos makes for a far more interesting game, and it often has the ability to flip houses and keep things unpredictable. At its core, Big Brother is arguably the better and more complicated game.

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