I am – Hercules!!

“Big Brother” – almost cancelled after its half-baked debut season - is a huge hit in the United States, and garners a bigger audience with each new summer, but I think the British version is bigger. Like maybe “American Idol” bigger.

In the first American season of “Big Brother,” producers used the rules they use in the overseas versions of “Big Brother” - allowing viewers to vote on who got booted from the house. First they booted out Will “Mega” Collins – easily the most entertaining season-one character. Then they voted out Jean Jordan the hot young stripper. Stupid Americans!

So CBS did something really smart. They hired new producers and made "Big Brother much more like “Survivor” – allowing the houseguests to vote on the final bootings.

On tonight’s “Big Brother 7: All-Stars” casting special, we learn the identities of 20 series veterans who want back in. America will get to vote on which, if memory serves, 12 or 14 who get to join this year's all-star cast. Voting starts at midnight ET, right after the special airs on the West Coast. You can cast your vote here until polls close on June 28. Season seven should begin in earnest about a week later.

Here’s who won the first six seasons:
Eddie McGee (1)
Will Kirby (2)
Lisa Donahue (3)
Jun Song (4)
Drew Daniel (5)
Maggie Ausburn (6)

Here’s who came in second place the first six seasons:
Josh Souza (1)
Nicole Nilson Schaffrich (2)
Danielle Reyes (3)
Alison Irwin (4)
Michael “Cowboy” Ellis (5)
Ivette Corredero (6)

One expects a lot of the candidates will be drawn from these 12. (Except maybe Eddie McGee, the surly one-legged fellow who won season one.)

Other candidates I believe I’d like to see get a second chance tonight:
Brittany Petros (1)
Jean Jordan (1)
Will “Mega” Collins (1)
Krista Stegall (2)
Shannon Dragoo (2)
Amy Crews (3)
Chiara Berti (3)
Tonya Paoni (3)
Erika Landry (4)
Dana Varela (4)
Michelle Mardie (4)
Karen Gancy (5)
Lori Valenti (5)
Marvin Latimer (5)
Sarah Hrejsa (6)
Rachel Plencher (6)
Howie Gordon (6)
Kaysar Ridha (6)
Janelle Pierzina (6)

Recall what most of these people look like:
Season Two Cast
Season Three Cast
Season Four Cast
Season Five Cast
Season Six Cast

CBS gave Bobby Jon Drinkard and Stephanie LaGrossa another chance. Why not Jordan the stripper?

UPDATE!! The actual nominees:
“Chicken” George Boswell (1)
Bald Gay Bunky Hill (2)
Evil Doctor Will Kirby(2)
Mike Boogie Malin (2)
Monica “It’s On!” Bailey (2)
Bald Gay Marcellas Reynolds (3)
Fabulous Lisa Donahue (3)
Dramatic Danielle Reyes (3)
Coltish Erika Landin (4)
Excitable Dana Varela (4)
Vixenish Alison Irwin (4)
Pitt-Worshiping Jase Wirey (5)
Michael “Cowboy” Ellis (5)
Jennifer “Nakomis” Dedmon (5)
Horny Diane Henry (5)
Master Jedi Howie Gordon (6)
“King” Kayser Ridha (6)
Angry Ivette Corredero (6)
Veto Czar James Rhine (6)
Mouthy Janelle Pierzna (6)

8 p.m. Wednesday. CBS.

50% Off
All These Fox Sci-Fi Season Sets!!
Buffy The Vampire Slayer (All Seasons) $19.97!! X-Files (All Seasons) $24.97!! Alien Nation $24.97!! Angel $29.97!! Dark Angel $19.97!! Firefly $24.97!! Harsh Realm $19.97!! The Lone Gunmen $19.97!! Lost In Space $39.97!! Millenium $29.97!! Point Pleasant $19.97!! Roswell $29.97!! Space: Above and Beyond $24.97!! Tru Calling $13.47!! Find all the half-off here!!