<Tr> <Td_colspan="4"> 2nd Runner - Up $50,000 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="4"> Banished </Td> </Tr> <P> Big Brother 1 was the debut season of the American reality television series Big Brother . It was based upon the Netherlands series of the same name, which gained notoriety in 1999 and 2000 . The series premiered on July 5, 2000 and lasted for a total of 88 days . The season concluded after 88 days with Eddie McGee being crowned the winner, and Josh Souza the runner - up . </P> <P> The premise of the series drastically differed from future installments of the series . The series revolved around ten strangers living in a house together with no communication with the outside world . They were constantly filmed during their time in the house, and were not permitted to communicate with those filming them . Every other week, each contestant, referred to as "Houseguests", chose two people to be up for nomination . The two or more people with the most votes were nominated to leave the house . The viewers then decide which of the nominees should leave (which followed the format used in other countries, unlike today, with the houseguests deciding themselves), with the selected person leaving during a live show . This process continued until only three HouseGuests remained, at which time the viewers would decide which of them would win the $500,000 grand prize . </P>

Who won the first season of big brother