This Saturday, April 16, the producers of the wildly popular reality TV series Big Brother will hold open auditions in Tampa Bay for the show's upcoming 13th season from noon to 3 p.m. at the Dubliner Irish Pub in Citrus Park, 12836 Henderson Road.

Big Brother is a summertime show that throws a bunch of strangers together in a house, where their every move is recorded, every moment of the day, by video cameras in every part of the house. The competition heats up as the weeks go by, until one person walks away with a huge cash prize.

Robyn Kass, a top reality show casting director, has been spearheading the auditions for Big Brother since the beginning. Her resume also includes Survivor and The Bachelor. I sat down for a phone interview with her to find out a little more about the show and what she's looking for in potential cast members.

We opened the conversation talking about what makes Big Brother stand out from so many of the other reality shows that rise and fall after just a season or two.

"I think the Internet component of Big Brother is what sets it apart from all of the other reality shows," Kass (pictured left) said. "The fact that people can tune in 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and that we have the unfiltered show time. I think the fans of Big Brother are definitely of a different caliber from fans of other reality shows because they feel so connected with the house guests."

We had a good laugh about why people would want to have every moment of their lives recorded and broadcast on television, agreeing that neither one of us would want to do that.

"People love themselves, and like to watch themselves," she said. "Our culture is really still curious about the whole reality show process, and I think that makes people interested in being in one. Big Brother is one of the shows where you don't have to have a specific talent to get on; you just have to want to play the game."

Kass said that she is constantly asked what the casting directors look for.

"When you see somebody, you know it," she said. "I can't exactly put my finger on it. You hear the term X-factor. Some people will just stand in front of me, and there's something unique and interesting about them that makes me intrigued and makes me want to hear more. It could be the inflection in their voice, the way they laugh, passion for something. After seeing so many thousands of people talk and tell stories, there's just certain people who stand out."

Kass had more than enough advice to give Big Brother hopefuls.

"Be yourself. Don't try to prepare too much. Don't think beforehand what you're going to say, just let it come naturally. Have a good time, express yourself. Have stories to back up any words you use. If someone comes in says 'I'm controversial and competitive,' our next question will be, 'Great. Give us examples.'"

Full eligibility requirements and instructions for applying can be found here.

This article appears in Apr 7-13, 2011.